Analysis Of Ulysses And James Joyce's Saturday

Very few novels occur over a single day, with the notable exceptions of Ulysses by James Joyce, and Ian McEwan’s Saturday. When using this as a device, every detail of the story must serve a specific purpose, thematically or otherwise. An example might include using a character or event to represent a recurring theme. McEwan, in particular, enjoys exploring how the public affects the personal, as seen in his article “Beyond Belief”. Throughout, he constantly refers to his personal reaction; sitting “hungrily, ghoulishly” in front of the television “in a state of sickened wonderment” (“Beyond Belief”). In his novel Saturday, McEwan uses the squash game to highlight Henry’s aggressive nature, to demonstrate how public events influence our private

Part of the squash game’s function is to illustrate Henry’s more aggressive characteristics. In Saturday, Henry Perowne is portrayed as a kind, honest, and peaceful man. Perowne sets himself apart from other surgeons, explaining how he “doesn’t… relish personal confrontation” (Saturday 84). Instead, people are “put at ease by [his] unassertive manner” (McEwan 20), even though Perowne recognizes that his demeanor is slightly misleading. The lack of aggression ascribed to Henry throughout the novel is merely self-reflection on his part. Due to the novel’s limited point of view, McEwan must reveal Henry’s flaws through his squash match against Jay Strauss. Even Perowne admits that the game exposes “the essentials of his character” (McEwan 106) and all of his defects. During the game, both men “hurl themselves into every corner”, with “every point… bludgeoned from the other” (McEwan 113). Henry turns into a

When the media constantly broadcasts news from around the world, it is hard not to preoccupy oneself or become personally invested in the stories. In Saturday, nowhere is this clearer than during Henry’s squash game. Earlier in the day, thoughts about global events, such as the protest and the flaming plane, were circulating through Perowne’s mind. He even notices the odd mindset these events create: that of “happiness cut with aggression” (McEwan 79). Moreover, both a massive protest and a confrontation with Baxter literally interfere with Henry’s day, making him late for his match. It is these external influences that affect Henry’s game, and life, both directly and indirectly. Because of these distractions, Perowne must “[will] himself to narrow his range of thoughts” (McEwan103) as the game begins. For the most part it works, as Perowne becomes emotionally invested in the game and temporarily forgets about the world. Nevertheless, during the breaks these public events return to his thoughts. At one point, a television in the changing room reminds him of the burning plane from earlier that morning. This upsets Perowne. In indignation, Henry feels that he has the right to ignore “a whole universe of public phenomena” (McEwan 108); he should be able to block the outside world from his mind and focus on his squash game. It is to no avail, as that day’s events leave Perowne