Henry Perowne Family Scene Analysis

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The two scenes I will be discussing deal with the themes of the family and politics, in reference to the novel as a whole and their significance to the character of Henry Perowne. The first scene also focuses in upon these two points but encompasses both the characters of Theo and slightly Rosalind, whilst simultaneously linking to politics. The second scene being the initial meeting between Daisy and Henry after her arrival back from Paris as this discusses both political tensions and the familyIt could be argued that throughout the scenes family is shown to be of more significance than politics. The scenes illustrate the closeness of Perowne and his children, and embrace the idea that the people he “most loves” are of most significance . …show more content…
This, in turn, links to the discussion of politics, bringing into question whether family and politics can ever be truly separate entities throughout the novel. Perowne is presented to have politics at the forefront of his mind, with the character of Theo being no different. The casual manner in which politics is brought up “’You think it’s jihadists...?’”, and then dismissed suggests how integral of part of life it has become. Although, at the same time it dismisses the idea that politics and the family have no link and suggests that both hold significance within the scene. In contrast, it could suggest that family still has a bigger role in the scene because prior to and after the discussion of politics McEwan returns to a focus upon the family. McEwan uses free indirect discourse to link Henry’s and the narrators voice into one with the main focus being upon politics. This is shown through the reference to Islam in general “They belong in a doomed tradition about which Perowne takes the convential view-the pursuit of utopia ends up licensing every form of exess”. McEwan uses this to suggest the reasons for Perowne’s almost pro-war ideals to combat the issue of Iraq. This links to the idea that at the time the novel was published the public already knew of the plan of action that was decided, this

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