Enduring Love- How does McEwan use suspense in his novel

In the novel “Enduring Love” by Ian Mcwan, the author aims to create suspense in his first chapter. He uses many different techniques to achieve this.

The title of the book, “Enduring Love” incorporates the verb ‘to endure’. The idea is therefore immediately given to the reader that a character will have to endure something, maybe a test of some description. The test in chapter one is that of being able to hold onto the balloon, one that the character will either pass or fail.

The opening sentence of chapter one is short and concise, yet it holds a meaning that is neither.

… “The beginning is simple to mark”

As the reader is aware, the beginning is never simple to mark, as the designated start will always be controversial. Even if the beginning were simple to mark, nothing else in the story ever will be.

Ian McEwan uses metaphors to create a contrast in his writing. The reader is never fully sure as to how the author wants us to view the accident. He describes it as both a “pinprick on the time map” and as a “furnace”. It is a major event to the characters in the book yet to others it is just somethin

Ian McEwan creates an intense array of suspense throughout chapter one. His descriptions are visual and cinematic. The narrative technique he uses for Joe gives a non-chronological way of retelling an event. Usually a writer would be unsuccessful with this, yet McEwan does it superbly. It makes the reader want to read on and want to hear Joe Rose’s story.

g that happened. The use of metaphors creates on element of tension.

A main theme in the chapter is that of fate and the randomness of life. Life is both uncontrollable and unpredictable, an idea that Joe uses in his portrayal of the balloon accident, and throughout the book. Clarissa being unable to have children due to a mix up in hospital records shows the randomness of life. It could have happened to anyone. Likewise it is fate that brings the men to the ropes and it is fate that leads to Logan’s eventual death. It also shows that Logan’s death is a waste, as the boy returns safely.

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