IFattori

ON CHESIL BEACH

On Chesil Beach is a 2007 novel by Ian McEwan.

It is organized into five parts. Some of these parts are about the immediate, what take place in the bedroom on the honeymoon and some deals with  a "flash-back" format of Edward and Florence's separate childhood and home life as well as their relationship development between each other and each other's respective families.

Part one

Novel opens in the Honeymoon suite on England's majestic and mystifying Chesil Beach while the newlyweds have dinner. McEwan highlight Florence's depth conflict between being repulsed by the idea of sex and afraid of being unable to satisfy Edward's sexual needs, their relationship is secretly strained over the unknown conflict.

Part Two

In the second part there is the first "flashback" that takes the reader to the childhoods of both the main characters, and makes a description of the social setting, especially in regards to sex and discussion of sex in the 1950's. This section provides an important insight into the lives of both lovers to further the characterization of Edward and Florence.

Part Three

This section shifts back to the current situation in the honeymoon suite. After some progress towards a normal sexual excursion, the situation seems to have improved and Florence's fears are beginning to dissolve. McEwan effectively describes the thoughts and concerns of both characters by shifting the point of view in this section. Than Florence runs out of the suite and onto Chesil Beach, Edward is left standing in the honeymoon suite, and the story shifts back in time.

Part Four

Part four is about the relationship between Edward and Florence and each involved with each others' families. On the topic of Edward and Florence's sexual relationship, McEwan illustrates that Florence is very timid and conservative in her approach. It is also important to consider the goals and dreams of the two lovers and see the complexity of each others thoughts, especially sexually. Edward is trying to remember the good times with Florence to suppress his rising anger at the current situation, for Edward is preparing to go and meet with Florence on the beach.

Part five

This part is conclusion of the story and a brief generalization of the life that Edward would live after the climactic events. By this point in the novel,Ian McEwan organized the mass amounts of information about each person's life and their relationship found in parts two and four into play and create the disbelief and sadness associated with the conclusion.