How Does Mcewan Depict the Breakdown in Joe and Clarissa’s?

How does McEwan depict the breakdown in Joe and Clarissas relationship in the middle section of the overbold? McEwan initially portrays Clarissa and Joe as the ideal couple, capturing the waitmingly stable love affair among two academics. However, McEwan seeks to research the disintegration of the superior middle-class romance, to emphasise how nonhing is safe. To the unknowing reader, everything about the relationship is calm and admirable. tho difficulties begin to surface early in the novel.The reader learns how Clarissa is unable to bear children something which the reader can see is hidden from daily life, but obviously has a profound effect on the relationship. To add to this, Joe is infelicitous about his status in the scientific community. He feels his work as a lecturer is not enough, and this causes his self-worth to diminish over time. Joe longs for a perfect life, with a perfect career and for his interests to be satisfied. Everything down to the big-ticket(prenom inal) wine at the picnic suggests Joe seeks perfection.Similarly, Clarissa also seeks perfection but instead, strives for the ideal romance, idealised by her literary idol, John Keats. McEwan focuses on a breakdown of communication throughout the middle section of the novel. Any conversations between the couple are brief and rushed, without consideration for the others words. Chapter 9 is significant for the development of Joe and Clarissas relationships collapse as the reader is invited to witness the events from Clarissas perspective.Through McEwans technique, the reader can view the hardships of Clarissas day, to recognise the daily stresses of her personal and professional life. We see Clarissas confusion at Joes bare manic state, the communication issues, All this talking and listening thats supposed to be good for couples. Joe hardly cannot leave Clarissa alone he is dependent on her for mental support and he fails to recognise when she need time to herself.Throughout Chapt er 9, we learn that Joe is trusting Clarissa and coming on rather strongly, but his intensity is inhibiting her. However, it is at this load where we recognise that Clarissa is being told the whole story, despite claims slowr in the novel that she isnt, she simply doesnt bundle the correct amount of interest. The three obvious milestones of the breakdown are the balloon incident, Jed Parrys handling and Joes evident depression. Parry appears as the main catalyst, as he highlights the couples flaws.Trust is a huge issue between Joe and Clarissa, as made obvious when Joe fails to tell Clarissa of Parrys late night phone call, I know I made my first serious mistake when I turned on my side and I said to her It was nothing. Wrong number. His actions could suggest he simply didnt want to worry Clarissa at such a time, but also could ring early shock bells for problems of trust. Trust issues are also evident when Joe raids Clarissas study, frantically searching for evidence of an af fair. Shortly later this, they begin to sleep in separate beds, ceasing the late night discussions and passionate love-making.