Obsession in Enduring Love

Explore the ways in which McEwan presents obsession in Enduring Love

The theme of obsession is found in many different forms in Enduring

Love. McEwan uses language and the presentation of the characters to

explore the many different types of obsession. The most obvious

obsession in the novel is Jed’s obsession with Joe. As a reader, we

find this perhaps the most disturbing because of the intensity with

which it is presented. At the opening of the novel, immediately after

the accident, Joe walks down the hill to inspect Logan’s body and is

closely followed by Jed. McEwan uses language to great effect to

convey Jed’s obsession with religion and Jed’s dialogue to show his

eagerness to pray. ‘I mean you don’t have to believe in anything at

all, just let yourself do it and I promise you, I promise.’ The use of

repetition and the word ‘promise’ shows Jed pleading with Joe and

expresses his sincere beliefs. There is also a strangeness as Joe

decides to tell Parry the harsh truth of his religion ‘There’s no one

up there’ ‘Parry’s head was cocked, and the most joyous of smiles was

spreading across his face.’ This is a significant moment in the novel

as we discover later on that this was the point when Jed’s obsession

began and the moment on which the rest of the story is based.

McEwan uses religious imagery to convey the embarrassment felt by Joe

and passion of Jed’s beliefs. ‘…, as I saw it, to deliver me from the

radiating power of Jed Parry’s love and pity.’ The use of the verb ‘deliver’

has religious overtones and suggests deliverance in the same Christian

sense of Jesus ‘delivered’ mankind. McEwan also uses the phrase

‘radiating power’. This is particularly effective use of imagery as it

conveys the idea o...

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...as it highlights Joe’s mathematical side. ‘Two bands

were entwined in a double helix’…….to suggest the twenty amino acids

on to which the three letter codons were mapped’ McEwan uses the

brooch as an object to draw out Joe’s analytical characteristics

through the word ‘double helix’ and displays his knowledge of science.

The theme of obsession is vital to the novel as a whole and permeates

every aspect of the narrative. The obsession is used to invoke a

response from the reader, particularly in the case of Jed and Joe as

we feel repulsed and disturbed by Jed’s language and feelings. We are

also as readers, directly affected by Joe’s love of science. It is

evident throughout the novel since often Joe tries to rationalise his

problems by making links to science. Finally, it is Jed’s passion for

religion that he justifies his obsession and Joe who fuels it.