Neodoljiva privlačnost zla u romanu Uteha stranaca, Ijana Makjuana

Abstract

This paper attempts to uncover the nature of evil in Ian McEwan's novel The Comfort of Strangers. The attraction of evil, irresistible and sometimes inexplicable self-destructive impulses and one's predestination to become a victim - these are just some of the motives this paper addresses in search for the answer, set in Venetian landscape, at once romantic and ominous. I also tried to find out whether the main protagonists are aware of the presence of evil, did they themselves invoke it or did it hunt them down and what kind of tragic flaw they are marked with. By analyzing these issues, I'm pointing at the extent of changes of one's identity and the tragic abuse of the weaknesses of character brought about by subconscious, unspoken desires.