WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT

THE NOVEL IN ENGLISH

ESSAY TOPIC: In your opinion, do you think the novel criticises the family as an
institution?
FOR YOUR ANSWER consider the way the Father and Mother are presented, the
childrens attitude after their disappearance and whether the novel ultimately supports
the importance of a nuclear family unit for the well-being of the children.

THE CEMENT GARDENS FAMILY

Ian McEwan writes about the live and problems of a low-class family, who has to fight
and struggle money to live quite well. The most difficult part is when the children are
left alone and the older ones have to take control of the family issues like cleaning,
providing food, have enough money They have to be independent because they are
completely isolated from neighbours and their last relative (uncle) died three years ago.
Julie, Jack, Sue and Tom became orphans when her mother dies, as not to be discovered
by anyone, they bury their mother inside the house with cement. As the story goes on
we can see many strange events inside the family, Julie meets a boy but does not want
him to get inside the house, Jack is (some kind) jealous of Derek
These strange events are hold because they (four of them) have lost their parents, they
do not have a parental control that shows them how to react, how to behave, how to
relate between brothers and sisters, etc.
One of the things that shocked me the most was the relation that Julie and Jack acquire
along the novel; they have a relationship of lovers more that brothers. It sounds really
bad to me, but I suppose it was because of their family disintegration and therefore,
family degradation. Their mother told them to bring money, food, control the younger
children, etc., and so, they ended up taking their parents roles; they even end up having
sexual interactions.
At one point all is nearly discovered by Julies boyfriend (Derek), he goes inside the
house and smells a bad smell, Julie and Jack try to hide it, but the youngest brother

(Tom) is to innocent and tells him the truth. Julie and Dereks relationship breaks up
when he finds her in bed with Jack. Derek is ashamed and does not believe what he is
seeing, but Julie takes it as it might be the most natural thing in the world to be touching
one-each-other on bed with your brother. You can see it on the last pages of the book:
How long has this been going one? I was glad I could not see him. Ages, Julie
said, ages and ages. Derek made a little gasping sound of surprise or anger.
I dont believe Ian McEwan is criticising the family as an institution; I think hes setting
the importance of the family as an inseparable unit. A family should not bring problems,
identity confusions, interfamily sexual relations it should bring protection and
education.
I did not really enjoy this book, I decided to take it as a beautiful and happy story
because of the title The cement garden, but it was not what I expected.

RAQUEL MORRERES CHARLES