Ian McEwan uses a plethora of techniques to achieve the desired effect in his opening chapter, this convinces the reader to read on. "This enthralling novel with its amazingly perfect first chapter had me hyperventilating A nail-biting read" Val Hennessy, Daily Mail. McEwan creates tension throughout this chapter which leaves the reader curious to what happens.
At the very beginning of the first chapter McEwan grabs the interest of his audience. "The beginning is simple to mark." He gets straight to the point, the word "beginning" suggests that something of great consequence is about to happen, this makes the reader inquisitive as to what is about to occur next. He then goes on to say that "this was the pinprick on the time map" this shows just how of the utmost importance the event is. Tension is created here due to the fact that the reader is left wondering what will happen.
Also at the start of the chapter McEwan hints as to what is going to unfold. "the event I am about to describe, the fall- The fact that the reader is already told what is going to happen creates suspense. Then later on in the chapter McEwan postpones the actual "fall" for a few sentences. "we saw him slip down right to the end of the rope. And still he hung there." This makes the reader pay extreme attention, as they already know what is going to occur but they don't know how it will happen, the constant reference to science delays the inevitable and therefore adds to the tension.
When reading the first chapter there are obvious differences between Joe and Clarissa, Joe doesn't really understand Clarissa's work. "I know little about Keats or his poetry- The issue of science versus art is a major conflict in the story; it shows the differences between Clarissa and Joe. This suggests to the reader that there may be problems with their relationship in the future, this creates tension and leaves the reader wondering if they will have problems in their relationship.
