Part Two
6. Driving and seeing the Prime Minister's face on a TV in a store window
Quote: "For all the difficulties, the instinctive countermeasures, we go on watching closely, trying to read a face, trying to measure intentions. Friend or foe?... More than ever now, on the edge of war, when the county still imagines it can call back this deed before it's too late. Does this man sincerely believe that going to war will make us safer? Does Saddam possess weapons of terrifying potential?" (143)
Analysis: Henry sees the prime minister's face on a TV in a store window as he is speaking about the war on terrorism and the invasion of the middle east. Henry analyzes the prime minister's face for any traces of fear or self doubt. He wants to believe that the leader of his country is right and justified but is himself conflicted over the issue. If he can trust in the sincerity of the prime minister then maybe he can trust his own opinion as to whether or not war in the middle east is neceassary.
Analysis: Henry sees the prime minister's face on a TV in a store window as he is speaking about the war on terrorism and the invasion of the middle east. Henry analyzes the prime minister's face for any traces of fear or self doubt. He wants to believe that the leader of his country is right and justified but is himself conflicted over the issue. If he can trust in the sincerity of the prime minister then maybe he can trust his own opinion as to whether or not war in the middle east is neceassary.
7. Talking to Theo in the Kitchen
Quote: "What's the latest on the plane?"..."The pilots are radical Islamists"..."They set fire to their own plane in the cause of jihad"..."It doesn't sound plausible. But in general, the human disposition is to believe. And when proved wrong, shift ground. Or have faith, and go on believing" (153-154)
Analysis: While talking with Theo in the kitchen, Henry reflects on the plausibility of the theory that the pilots of the plane he saw in flames could be radical Islamists. He acknowledges that humans tend to believe the worst. He also acknowledges the fact that it is human nature to want to believe and that faith can be very strong even when substantial physical proof is against it. The radical Islamists have such unfailing faith. Their belief is so strong that they are willing to harm themselves and others.
Analysis: While talking with Theo in the kitchen, Henry reflects on the plausibility of the theory that the pilots of the plane he saw in flames could be radical Islamists. He acknowledges that humans tend to believe the worst. He also acknowledges the fact that it is human nature to want to believe and that faith can be very strong even when substantial physical proof is against it. The radical Islamists have such unfailing faith. Their belief is so strong that they are willing to harm themselves and others.
8. Visiting his mother in the nursing home
Quote: " On the screen above her head Perowne sees the march-Hyde Park...Now, Paddington police station-said to be secure against terrorist attack. A reporter is standing outside, speaking into a microphone. There's a development. Are the Russian pilots really radical Muslims?" (170-171)
Analysis: While visiting his mother in the nursing home, Henry catches a glance at the news on the TV in his mother's room. Even though he is no longer in the city, he cannot escape the news of its happenings because these events not only affect the city directly but also the suburbs and country around it. Awareness of terrorism and the war is everywhere and cannot be ignored.
Analysis: While visiting his mother in the nursing home, Henry catches a glance at the news on the TV in his mother's room. Even though he is no longer in the city, he cannot escape the news of its happenings because these events not only affect the city directly but also the suburbs and country around it. Awareness of terrorism and the war is everywhere and cannot be ignored.
9. Listening to Theo's band
Quote: "Out in the real world there exist detailed plans, visionary projects for peaceable realms, all conflicts resolved, happiness for everyone, for ever-mirages for which people are prepared to die and kill. Christ's kingdom on earth, the workers' paradise, the ideal Islamic state. But only in music, and only on rare occasions, does the curtain actually lift on this dream of community, and it's tantalisingly conjured, before fading away with the last notes." (176)
Analysis: While listening to Theo's band, Henry realizes that the only place where peace and unity seem to be truly tangible is in music. There are plans and actions being taken in the real world to attain peace, but there appears to be no progress. The peace plans seem to only create war, which isn't peace at all. Many would give anything, including their lives, for this dream, but the only place such unity appears to be seen is in the notes of a song.
Analysis: While listening to Theo's band, Henry realizes that the only place where peace and unity seem to be truly tangible is in music. There are plans and actions being taken in the real world to attain peace, but there appears to be no progress. The peace plans seem to only create war, which isn't peace at all. Many would give anything, including their lives, for this dream, but the only place such unity appears to be seen is in the notes of a song.
10. Cooking dinner in the kitchen
Quote: "He's feeling the pull, like gravity, of the approaching TV news. It's a condition of the times, this compulsion to hear how it stands with the world, and be joined to the generality, to a community of anxiety." (180)
Analysis: Henry feels like he has to be connected with what is happening in the world. He cannot miss one beat or moment and constantly feels compelled to watch the news on the TV. Bad news is especially compelling as humans seem to be drawn to tragedy. Instead of being unified by pride or happiness, the country is unified by anxiety and fear.
Analysis: Henry feels like he has to be connected with what is happening in the world. He cannot miss one beat or moment and constantly feels compelled to watch the news on the TV. Bad news is especially compelling as humans seem to be drawn to tragedy. Instead of being unified by pride or happiness, the country is unified by anxiety and fear.
11a. Arguing with Daisy when she first gets home
Quote: "He wonders why he's interrupting her, arguing with her, rather than eliciting her views and affectionately catching up with her. Why be adversarial? ...They are fighting over armies they will never see, about which they know almost nothing." (195)
Analysis: As he is arguing with Daisy, Henry wonders why he is arguing at all. He hasn't seen her in months and they should be sharing what is new in their lives. While the war is an important subject to discuss, it is not worth fighting over with his daughter. He reflects that the war doesn't seem as real as it should as he will never see it and knows nothing about it except what he has heard on TV.
Analysis: As he is arguing with Daisy, Henry wonders why he is arguing at all. He hasn't seen her in months and they should be sharing what is new in their lives. While the war is an important subject to discuss, it is not worth fighting over with his daughter. He reflects that the war doesn't seem as real as it should as he will never see it and knows nothing about it except what he has heard on TV.
11b. Resolving the argument
Quote: "And how luxurious, to work it all out at home in the kitchen, the geopolitical moves and military strategy, and not be held to account by voters, newspapers, friends, history. When there are no consequences, being wrong is simply an interesting diversion."
Analysis: After arguing with Daisy, Henry realizes how easy it is to make assumptions and defend a position when nothing directly important to him is at stake. Yes, war is real, and yes, it does affect him in some way but so far all Henry has heard is talk. He is surrounded daily by reminders of the state of the world but his personally opinions on the issue aren't going to change anything. And why should they? It is best for those who suffer consequences to make the decisions. Otherwise, decisions on important topics such as war would be carelessly made.
Analysis: After arguing with Daisy, Henry realizes how easy it is to make assumptions and defend a position when nothing directly important to him is at stake. Yes, war is real, and yes, it does affect him in some way but so far all Henry has heard is talk. He is surrounded daily by reminders of the state of the world but his personally opinions on the issue aren't going to change anything. And why should they? It is best for those who suffer consequences to make the decisions. Otherwise, decisions on important topics such as war would be carelessly made.
12. Reflecting on the day at his bedroom window
Quote: "The war will start next month-the precise date must already have been fixed, as though for any big outdoor sporting event. Any later in the season will be too hot for killing or liberation. Baghdad is waiting for its bombs. Where's Henry's appetite for removing a tyrant now? At the end of this day, this particular evening, he's timid, vulnerable, he keeps drawing his dressing gown more tightly around him." (286)
Analysis: At the end of the day, Henry stands in the exact same place that he started his day. His view on the war is all the sudden very cynical. He no longer has the fire for war as when he was arguing with Daisy. The encounter with Baxter has left him timid. He has been a victim of terrorism and as a result wants nothing but to feel safe and secure again.
Analysis: At the end of the day, Henry stands in the exact same place that he started his day. His view on the war is all the sudden very cynical. He no longer has the fire for war as when he was arguing with Daisy. The encounter with Baxter has left him timid. He has been a victim of terrorism and as a result wants nothing but to feel safe and secure again.