The Effectiveness of Part Seven Chapter Nine of Graham Greene's Brighton Rock

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The Effectiveness of Part Seven Chapter Nine of Graham Greene's Brighton Rock

I think that Graham Greene presents this episode very effectively. At

the beginning of this chapter there is the planning and thoughts of

the suicide arranged to take place that evening. As Rose and Pinkie

leave the pub it hits Pinkie what is just about to happen. "He had a

sudden inclination to throw up the whole thing, to get in the car and

drive home, and let her live." I think this makes it more effective,

and this gives the impression that maybe Pinkie has come to his senses

and is going to let Rose live, and makes it seem more real. In this

part of the novel I feel sympathy for Pinkie as he is confused and is

not really sure what he should do. He wants to live his life free of

Rose, but thinks that the only way for him to do this and not be in

danger is to persuade her to kill herself.

Rose then starts to become unsure. "She could always escape- if he

didn't change his mind. Nothing was decided. They could go in the car

wherever he wanted them to go; she could take the gun from his hand,

and even then - at the last moment of all - she needn't shoot." I feel

slightly angry towards Pinkie here, as you realise how it would feel

to be Rose at this point in time, and that he is forcing her to do

this, and she is completely oblivious to the fact that Pinkie has no

intention to follow.

During the end of the novel there is pathetic fallacy - it is raining

which gives a better image, and gives an appropriate atmosphere.

Graham Greene occasionally drops hints of hope for Rose, which makes

it more effective, as you are not completely sure of the outcome. "He

gave her one more chance: 'You'd have always stuck to me,' and when

she nodded in agreement, he began wearily the long course of action

which would one day let him be free again.

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