Analysis of “The Children Act” written by I. McEwan

a) Discuss the choice of the title.

Right from the title, the reader is able to make conjectures about the possible content of the novel. Indeed, in the title the writer uses a juridical language which refers to the world of Law. In particular, the Children Act  was approved in 1989 with the purpose of ensuring children’s safeguard and welfare. It states that children’s welfare should be the paramount concern of the courts instead of any background circumstances. Therefore, the reader can hypothesize that the novel may be focused on a story regarding the application of the Children Act, in other words, it may deal with a case where a child is involved into legal proceedings.

b) What is the meaning of the initial quotation: “ When a court determines any question with respect to…the upbringing of a child…the child’s welfare shall be the court’s paramount consideration.” ?

The initial quotation provides the reader with a clear idea of what is the content of the Children Act. Indeed, the Act approved in 1989 states that the children’s welfare needs to be guaranteed in any legal process. The quotation underlines the children’s importance from the legal point of view: since they aren’t independent and they can’t take important decisions because of their age, they need to live under the responsibility of an adult, who takes care of them and provides them with all the necessary things for their upbringing and welfare. It follows that when some children are involved in a legal trial, the judge must keep in consideration their wellness. Besides, the quotation contains the decision taken by the High Court judge Fiona Maye in Adam Henry’s case. Indeed she   adheres to the Children Act and decides to proceed with the medical treatment against Adam’s will.

c) Discuss the structure of the novel: chapters and their functions.

The novel is organized into 5 chapters. The first one has the function to present the main character, who is Fiona Maye, a High Court judge. She is presented from a personal and a professional point of view. As regards the personal point of view, she in presented as a married woman who has to face some private problems with her husband while from the professional point of view she is outlined as a businesswoman. She works as a judge in “Family Division” that deals with marital disputes and custodies. While presenting different cases that Fiona had to deal with, the writer also introduce the focus of the plot, which is the Adam Henry’s case. Indeed, the second chapter has the function to analyze into depth the reasons of Adam’s decision about the medical treatment. In the second chapter the writer shows different points of view about the case. In particular, the doctor and Adam’s parents have different opinions about the case but Fiona Maye must make a decision. Therefore, the third chapter has the function to present Adam’s personality and his beliefs in order to better understand why he refuses the medical treatment. In this chapter Fiona makes her decision about the case, therefore it invites the reader to reflect upon the judge’s decision. The fourth chapter has the function to illustrate the effects of the judge’s decision in Adam’s life. In particular, the writer shows the development of the relationship between Fiona and Adam, from a personal point of view, and his new approach to life and religion. In the fifth chapter the writer illustrates the dramatic consequence of Fiona’s behaviour towards Adam. Adam’s suicide makes the reader reflect on Fiona’s previous decisions.

d) How are the different chapters assembled together?

The different chapters are assembled together following the chronological events of the judge’s daily life.