How Did Ian McEwan Tell the Story in Chapter 13?

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The sergeant’s opinions are based on work ethics, which prevent him from quickly agreeing to Jean’s accusations and surmisings. Heidegger says that a defining characteristic of art is that it is an ‘happening of truth.’ The type of truths happening in this text are personal truths and to an extent, social truths. Personal truths such as Jean’s belief of the fact that her husband was with another woman on a picnic, and that he must have been engaging in an affair with her: “I need to know how long it was going on, and what it meant.” Not everyone thinks so, especially the police who completely dismiss her idea. The other truth is Joe’s sudden realization that love is the most important – “…when it’s gone you’ll know what a gift love was.” And I think that this is what Ian McEwan wants us as the reader to think about as we read the chapter. He is also presenting to us the strength of love, through Jean saying, “If she comes near this house... I’ll kill her. God help me, but I will.” This is the extent of the effect of love on the woman, as we can see she is willing to kill the person who took her love away from her. Perhaps as Joe reflects upon his love towards his wife, Clarissa, McEwan wants the readers to equally do so as they are drawn in with Joe, and think about our own loved ones, and the importance of this connection between people. Destination Continued Another concept I believe the author is trying to make the readers think about is the fact that it is essentially difficult to deduce the true reasons behind the things we see other people do, and this pertains to Joe’s perception of her experience. This points how most of us never really know what is going on in the lives of other people. We pass people on the roads almost every day but are oblivious to any of the sufferings that could be going on in their lives, and instead, we surmise reasons for that which we do not understand, instead of asking for clarification. Joe realizes this because on arrival, he reads the house as a “perfect setting for sorrow,” but once inside sees that it has other, older stories to tell too.