A study of Ian McEwan’s novels as reflections of England, a nation in denial

Abstract

This thesis aims to present an analytical study of three novels written by multi-award winning contemporary novelist Ian McEwan: The Cement Garden (1978), Amsterdam (1998), and Atonement (2001) which reflect characteristics of denial that can be compared to England’s perceived state of denial in the latter half of the twentieth century. The Cement Garden presents children all of whom are in denial of their insecurities, rendered by their suddenly becoming orphaned, through the acts of concealment and pretense. While attempting to maintain a façade of normalcy, the conditions surrounding the children represent prevalent decline, both physical and mental, which intensifies the need for denial. In Amsterdam, the social aspects of denial receive more emphasis as the main characters make conscious decisions to disregard moral and ethics in order to counteract the professional failures in their present and revive their glorious past. Lastly, Atonement portrays the effects of denial of a character who seeks to impose control over everything, including the lives of others, resulting in a work of fiction that portrays an arbitrary version of history with a possible ulterior motive to exonerate herself. Alongside the analysis of denial in these novels, circumstances in England and the attitudes of its people are observed to demonstrate parallels between fiction and reality. Despite the reality of its diminishing power in the global arena, England in the second half of the twentieth century continuously demonstrates false optimism of its position. In denial of its current situation, England has attempted to create and maintain a positive image.