Learning Paths » 5C Interacting
ON CHESIL BEACH
"On Chesil Beach" is a novel by Ian McEwan.
It is structured in 5 chapters, every chapter refers to different settings ancd different parts of the storyline which are fundamental to understand the real message and the theme of the novel.
As I said, every part has an important role for the story.
Part One
The two characters are in the dining area of the Honeymoon suite on England's majestic and mystifying Chesil Beach.Right a first impression the intelligent reader can understand that Florence and Edward have serious problems of communication. As Florence encounters a 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
This part is about "flashbacks" that would help the intelligent reader to characterize better Florence and Edward. The first "flashback" takes the reader to the childhoods of both Edward and Florence and, perhaps more importantly, the social setting, especially in regards to sex and the discussion of sex in the 1950's. During this time period sexual discussion is almost unheard. From this point, the reader should begin to connect with each character and develop a better understanding of the situation's increasing complexity and that On Chesil Beach is more than a book about sexual experience.
Part Three
In the third part the setting comes back to the honeymoon suite. After some surprising progress towards a normal sexual excursion, the situation seems to have improved and Florence's fears are beginning to dissolve. But some terrific Florence's thoughts modigy the situation and she runs out of the suite and onto Chesil Beach, and Edward is left standing in the honeymoon suite, and the story shifts back in time.
Part Four
In this chapter the relationship between Edward and Florence is more focalized.Florence is very timid and conservative in her approach and Edward's maneuvering to "go-farther" is very cautious because of Florence. It is also important to consider the goals and dreams of the two lovers and see the complexity of each others thoughts, especially sexually. It is then discovered that these recollections of the past are being made by Edward as he 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, the mass amounts of information about each person's life and their relationship found in parts two and four come into play and create the disbelief and sadness associated with the conclusion.