ON CHESIL BEACH - CHAPTER 5:

Last chapter's most relevant elements:

The function of the last chapter of the novel is to bring to a conclusion the effect of the two protagonist's inability to communicate.

It give to the reader informations about Edward's and Florence's future too;

Edward has a lots of relationships but he understands that Florence was his only true love. Florence becomes a well-know musician and she gets not marriage.

Reflection about sentences from chapter 5:

Page 139: "The matter lay between them, as solid as a geographical feature, a mountain, a headland."

The problem can't be postponed yet: it is too big and stifling.

Ian McEwan compares it to a mountain to underline that it is very important and that it must be confronted!

Page 140: "Florence knew that it masked rather described her behaviour."

One time again, Florence hides her real thoughts and she doesn't admit what she really fells.

She is scared by reality.

Page 140: "...the sort of sickness to which only shame and silence attach..."

There is again the topic of cover-up...  Florence is so convinced that it is a good solution and she is so accustomed to use it in complicated circumstances that she attributes it at all kind of different situation.

Page 141: "...she knew...there was nothing wrong with him. Nothing at all. It war her, only her."

Florence realizes that Edward isn't her problem...she understands that she has a not common problem...but is she really convinced or it is just her habit to fell herself inapt?