The plot is concentrated only on Florence-Edward relationship, so we cant make up the whole picture of the society, but still it is clear that sexual education leaved better to be desired and the attitude to youth was full of stupid prejudices. The language is clear and easy for understanding, metaphors are widely used to make the narration richer and in order to express feeling of antagonists more vividly. The events of only one night are depicted in the story with numerous reminiscences to past and future for better understanding the foreshadowing and consequences of the conflict. Florence represents the time which passes with its strict moral values and rules, when sex was not a pleasure but an obligation between wife and husband, and Edward is a representation of the period of approaching sexual revolution with its passion and openness to sexual relationship. But the conflict they had is not a personal one, it is a deep social conflict between different epochs.

The lack of experience leads to conflict and, in the end, they don’t have another way out as to separate. Edward and Florence are young and too emotional they don’t know what marriage is and how man and woman should treat each other being together. On Chesil Beach is not a common love story with bad end, but an ode to sorrow and to the pain of lost hopes. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

On chesil beach by ian mcewan