Kaylee Thursday Post

            Through the next 25 pages of The Sense of an Ending, we follow the narrator, Tony, through his young-adult life. It seems he is still trying to find himself and become an individual in society. It seemed from the bginnning that his relationship with Veronica was not going to last. To me she wasn’t that into him. And the fact that she wouldn’t sleep with him until they broke up, reiterates this. I found it interesting that Tony never questioned Veronica about his virginity directed, he just assumed that because she wouldn’t sleep with him that she was a virgin. This is typical to human behavior believing that you cannot possibly be the problem, aka finding a scapegoat.

Soon after the weekend with Veronica’s family, Tony introduces Veronica to his friends. By doing so Tony is seeking approval from both parties, however when it seems like they approve of each other too much (Adrian & Veronica) he gets jealous. I have seen this with myself before. For example, when my best friend from camp comes to visit she gets to hang out with all my friends. They all get along really well, but of course I like to believe that she is still closest to me. I guess its likes a protective thing? I get you Tony. As the book continues, the inevitable “what are we?” discussion finally comes up between Tony and Veronica. In this particular part of the story and their discussion after sex, Tony is very similar to Meursault in The Stranger in regards to his indifference about her and their situation. He literally has nothing to say and no feelings strong enough to make an effort. He claims he is just “peaceable”, while Veronica calls him a coward. However, I don’t think he was being a coward because he clearly wasn’t afraid, he just didn’t have anything to say.

While in Bristol, Tony also mentions the Severn Bore. He admits to witnessing some kind of mysterious worldly occurrence. Although I do not fully understand it, it definitely holds significance in his life. There could be some correlation between his feelings of unsettlement and feelings of reversal to his relationship with Veronica. And oddly enough, right after he sleeps with her. At this point things aren’t too hot for Tony, especially when Adrian and Veronica get together #lowblow. Following that, Tony discusses damage and how it affects everyone and everything at one point or another. He also goes into the level of effect it has on people, which I find very interesting considering every person handles things differently and you can witness this everyday all around you.