It is evident that it is human nature for conflict to arise out of power imbalances. Ian McEwan, author of Enduring Love, would agree with this as he also presents power in this manner. Power motivates characters, such as Joe, to compete to gain power igniting a chain of conflicts, both individually, and within relationships. Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South also sees conflict arising out of power imbalances, although it mostly develops to become a positive force, particularly in relationships
McEwan shows an undeniable interest in power, and the significance of it. The writer specifically gives power to characters, such as Jed Parry, in order to explore the repercussions. To be specific, on the night of the balloon accident Joe receives …show more content…
worse by fooling Joe into believing Joe is the one with the power. Jed Parry repeats and reminds Joe that he is powerless, crying; ‘I can’t control my feelings the way you can… I know this gives you power over me’, ‘I stand before you naked, defenceless’. For Parry to expose himself in such a manner means Joe is fooled into thinking that Parry is also vulnerable. That said, this is exactly the result Parry strives for. Realistically Parry is in complete control of his mood and physicality. Joe mentions the ‘speed of his transactions’; something that contradicts the idea that Parry is unable to control his feelings because he is able to change his mentality in an instant. .Joe begins to acknowledge this, and he becomes increasingly conflicted as he recognises the control Parry has over him. The concern that ‘the response of the audience… is where the power of performance lives’ is a common feature of postmodern writing. This is a sufficient explanation of Parry’s actions. The uncomfortable and uncertain response Parry receives in his encounters is something that gives the man power over his acquaintances, enabling him to manipulate them. This manipulation results in an internal conflict with Joe, who becomes set on finding information that will explain and prove the situation between he and Parry; ‘I was back with… de clerambault’s syndrome… recalling me to my own
McEwan shows an undeniable interest in power, and the significance of it. The writer specifically gives power to characters, such as Jed Parry, in order to explore the repercussions. To be specific, on the night of the balloon accident Joe receives …show more content…
worse by fooling Joe into believing Joe is the one with the power. Jed Parry repeats and reminds Joe that he is powerless, crying; ‘I can’t control my feelings the way you can… I know this gives you power over me’, ‘I stand before you naked, defenceless’. For Parry to expose himself in such a manner means Joe is fooled into thinking that Parry is also vulnerable. That said, this is exactly the result Parry strives for. Realistically Parry is in complete control of his mood and physicality. Joe mentions the ‘speed of his transactions’; something that contradicts the idea that Parry is unable to control his feelings because he is able to change his mentality in an instant. .Joe begins to acknowledge this, and he becomes increasingly conflicted as he recognises the control Parry has over him. The concern that ‘the response of the audience… is where the power of performance lives’ is a common feature of postmodern writing. This is a sufficient explanation of Parry’s actions. The uncomfortable and uncertain response Parry receives in his encounters is something that gives the man power over his acquaintances, enabling him to manipulate them. This manipulation results in an internal conflict with Joe, who becomes set on finding information that will explain and prove the situation between he and Parry; ‘I was back with… de clerambault’s syndrome… recalling me to my own