We get a clear view of Joes thoughts throughout the book but at the start they are clearly dominated by scientific explanations, and everything is reviewed in great detail all relating to science. For example when Joe talks about been nervous his explanation goes into great detail " More oxygen, more glucose, more energy, quicker thinking, stronger limbs. It's a system so ancient, developed so far back .". As the reader we see this as unnecessary, but its obvious to us Joe is almost infatuated by how and why things work. He is so rational that he feels he needs explanations for what is going on in and around him. This is why when Jed comes into his life and Joe can't find an explanation it's so difficult for him to come to turns with it.
Jed's obsession with Joe is the most dominating obsession of all. It starts when they meet at the scene of John Logan's death. Jed asks Joe to pray with him but Joe continuously refuses, Jed's persistence about praying with Joe gives a hint of things to come. He does not take "no" of an answer, trying a number of different approaches to persuade Joe. From then on Jed feels that it's his mission to bring Joe to God. There is a continuous theme of 'science Vs religion in the book. This refers to Joe's way of thinking and Jed's way of thinking. Joe is a rational man whose job involves explaining science to ordinary people. His scientific training makes him sceptical of anything that cannot be proven. Jed Parry on the other hand, has a mystical view of the world. He believes that God is responsible for everything. .
The way we see it, at the start of the novel we immediately take sides with Joe and see Jed as maybe weird or an outcast. This is not unusual, it is just human nature to go against the unfamiliar.
As the novel draws on we see how Parry's obsession increases. It really hits home to both us as the reader and to Joe is at the end of chapter 6. Jed rings Joe and Joe answers, Jed wants them to meet and Joe eventually agrees, he asks where Jed is and Jed reply's "I"m in the phone box at the end of your road".
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. ...
