He also dismisses the notion of the soul as he bases all his conclusions and private thoughts on the facts of science, .
"I understand why a pre-scientific age would have needed to invent the soul". .
Throughout the first couple of chapters the narrator, Joe, withholds information, which is a true reflection of him as a character. At that time he was unaware of the events that would follow so I believe it to be a very effective narrative technique. Another reason for his withheld information could be due to his ever-growing guilt over the accident,.
"I didn't know, nor have I ever discovered who let go first. I"m not prepared to accept it was me".
McEwan uses many ways to express his characters using similes, metaphors, alliteration and foreshadowing each of these has a positive effect on the readers understanding. .
Joe speaks with premonition before we even meet Parry as a character so we, as the reader, become aware that he will have an influential role in the novel. As soon as we are introduced to Parry, the language used in the narrative gives us a very negative view of him,.
"Knowing what I know now, it's odd to evoke the figure of Jed Parry directly in front of me", this quotation gives the impression of something sinister and unforeseeable that is likely to shock the reader it creates tension which makes it a very effective use of language. This simile used by McEwan is one of the more effective of the first few chapters as it gives a deep insight into the events of the novel,.
"Rushing towards each other like lovers, innocent of the grief this entanglement would bring".
The line that follows the simile gives the impression of unwelcome attention on Joe's part, ironically Joe and Parry have never met.
This kind of language leaves the reader in anticipation, and wanting to be properly introduced to Parry as a character in the hope that they can form a judgement based on first impressions.
