The Sense of an Ending

In what way is Tony an unreliable narrator? How does his unreliability shape the reader’s understanding of events?

How does Adrian’s diary function as a motif for hidden truths, misconceptions, and the quest for understanding the past?

How does Barnes use time as a thematic and narrative element, blurring the lines between past and present, to convey the novel’s central message?

How are the characters’ memories and sense of guilt and responsibility interwoven? How do these elements shape their present lives?

Examine the novel’s open-ended conclusion. Is closure necessary for understanding the narrative’s underlying meaning? Why or why not?

How does Barnes incorporate postmodernist elements, such as fragmented narrative and self-reflexivity, to challenge conventional storytelling and explore the complexities of human consciousness?

Explore the sociohistorical context of the 1960s, including sexual mores. How do the ’60s influence Tony’s, Veronica’s, and Adrian’s choices and actions?

Compare and contrast Tony’s younger and older selves. How does his younger self foreshadow his older ego, and how does his older self reprise qualities from his past?