Enduring Love-Nature of obsession.
In chapters 1-16 in the novel "Enduring love" by Ian McEwan, the nature of obsession is brought about many times in many different cases. We see this particular subject throughout the novel in very mild cases and very extreme cases. These obsessions range from Clarissa's obsession with Keats the poet to Jed Parry's obsession with Joe Rose. The first we would consider a healthy obsession but the latter an extremely unhealthy obsession.
Many of the obsessions I think link in one way or another. In chapter one we hear about Keats the poet for the first time. Clarissa has been hunting for some missing letters by him. Indeed letters feature frequently in the novel. Ironically Jed pesters Joe with unwanted letters later on in the novel. Another link that Keats has with Joe's situation is that Keats is in love with a woman called Fanny Brawne but was doomed never to marry her, rather like Parry and his hopeless love with Joe.
From the start of the novel I think that it is evident that Joe almost has an obsession with himself. The way the novel is written, from Joe's point of view, him been the main narrator, gives us a huge indication of the sort of man Joe is an the way he sees himself and others around him. We get many over the top descriptions of how Joe goes about things, its almost as if he sees himself as a "super hero" figure. We see this in chapter 5 when Joe thinks he sees Jed's trainers in the library and describes how he run's after Jed in an extremely dramatic manner "I took the broad red-carpeted stairs two at a time, swung myself round a newel post round the half landing - We see this again later on in the book when he tries to tell the story from Clarissa's point of view and describes the way he thinks she sees him. To us the reader it's as if Joe is full of himself. Not only this but in the early stages of the novel we can see that Joe is obsessed by science.
McEwan began "Enduring Love" by telling us "The beginning is simple to mark". ... Throughout the novel, Joe has had an obsession with Parry and in this chapter, that obsession is resolved. Other obsessions which have lingered throughout the book are also cured. ... The most important obsession to be cured is the obsession with John Logan. ... Enduring love is a dark novel, and a light ending wouldn't be right for it. ...
Enduring Love By Ian McEwan. How effective is the beginning of Enduring love? ... Enduring Love has a superb opening chapter that takes all sorts of twists and turns. ... Inevitably he soon finds out the full wraith of Parry's obsession with a nice little phone call at 2am in the morning, to proclaim his undying love for him. ...
Ian McEwan's novel Enduring Love "has the most gripping first chapter I've ever read". ... This description foresees the future because, if you read on you later find out that this entanglement of grief develops into a mass obsession that Parry has for Joe. ... This turns out to be ironic as if you read on you will come to know about Jed's love obsession for Joe. ...
Obsession We, as human beings, are materialistic and sense indulgent slaves. ... I think that as we are brought up in this world, especially those of us that have been born with in the last twenty years, the importance of ownership of many possessions becomes a personal obsession. ... But we continue the downward spiral into obsessions with other things, now trying to drown out the senses. ... However, obsession with these things; overindulgence in our desires; can be terribly influential on the outcome of our lives. ...
However, the first person narrative of "Enduring Love" cannot be stereotyped in this way. ... However, as the novel precedes it seems he becomes increasingly "obsessed" with Jed Parry's obsession with him. ... Ultimately, within Enduring love Joe is very honest with the reader about his belief of events. ... However, the first person narrative in "Enduring Love", though unreliable in some ways, is more reliable than most. Ultimately, within Enduring love Joe is very honest with the reader about his belief of events. ...
Personal Essay: "Is there an enduring self?- Is there an enduring self? ... With memory there is an enduring self, and without it there is no self at all. I believe there is an enduring self. ... But does the enduring self exists only through memory? ...
He had an obsession for music and an intimate kind of relationship formed with the every sounds of music. ... It whispered sweet kisses in my ear." (221) For me this obsession is the sport of basketball simply because brings me enjoyment, healthy physical exercise, and the appreciation for every aspect of the game. ... I can't picture a life without basketball, like Louis probably can't picture a life without music, and that can go for anybody and their obsessions. ...
The "quest" genre has an enduring quality. ... He believes art is expressive, enduring and constant. ... The enduring quality of this text is the mystery surrounding it and also the irony of its subject matter. ... Another text which deals with the enduring qualities of the "quest" genre is the series of "Harry Potter" books. ... The fact that this remains constant in many stories is one factor in their enduring qualities. ...
Obsession is a negative trait that is a serious concern today. ... It is physically, emotionally, and socially exhausting to try to break an obsession that a person may have. Celebrity obsession is dangerous and harmful mostly because during their moments of obsession they are not in a right state of mind to make decisions, thus resulting in making the same decisions as the celebrity they obsess over. ... Another negative impact of celebrity obsession is body image that is expected of young teens. ... Obsession is a disorder that is currently being overlooked. ...
