chapter 4 quotes/annotations

Question 1

‘Cecilia could hear the neediness in her own voice’

page 44

Answer 1

-desperate to fit in

Question 2

‘comically brooding about his face’

page 47

Answer 2

-introduction of Paul Marshall makes him seem a relatively insignificant character although seemingly odd

Question 3

‘conventionally dull’

Answer 3

-reiterates Marshall seeming insignificant

Question 4

‘Cecilia was aware that Paul Marshall was staring at her, but before she could look at him she needed to prepare something to say’
page 48

Answer 4

• His presence here feels uncomfortable
• Cecilia having to prepare to say something before being able to make eye contact with him suggests that it is more of an uncomfortable stare rather than something light hearted

Question 5

‘she had noticed him hanging around the children lately’

page 48

Answer 5

• McEwan here alludes to Marshalls strange behavior’s. He is a grown man yet chooses to associate with the children, rather than people his own age.
• Due to the red herring and believing that the Criminal will be Danny/Robbie, we ignore him

Question 6

‘Marshall took control of the conversation with a ten-minute monologue’
page 49

Answer 6

• sounds pompous and conceited

- he finds a way to make everything about himself rather than indulging in a conversation

Question 7

‘He has brought a large house on Clapham Common and hardly had time to visit it’
page 49

Answer 7

• flaunting his success when in reality none of the other characters care.
• also extravagant as there is no need to buy a large house when you’ll spend minimal time there.
• waste of money

Question 8

‘He smiled, and since he had reached the gap first, he paused to hand her through, as though it were a drawing room doorway, and as she passed she felt him touch her lightly on her forearm’
page 54

Answer 8

• seems very insignificant on a first read. However, on a second read it becomes much more ominous.
• This touch was not asked for, nor encouraged.