How Does Fayn Present Time In Spies

How does Frayn explore the theme of time and memory in the novel Spies?
The maintenance of memory and the passing of time are ideas that one often ponders upon. “Spies” is a bildungsroman type novel that describes the reconstruction of memory by the protagonist Stephen. Through this recollection, Frayn explores the ideas of fluid memory and the passing of time, using language and form to present these ideas across to the reader. The author uses a frail narrator to show how memory can be unreliable and malleable; however the writer uses ambiguous language to portray how memory is subject to perception of the narrator. Furthermore, Frayn elaborates the passing of time in the novel through the use of narrative techniques. To highlight its importance,
Frayn explores the themes of memory and time in the novel Spies through the use of form and structure.
Frayn highlights the importance of senses and to portray Stephen’s place in the social hierarchy. He achieves this through the use of sensory and militaristic language. The use of sensory language in the novel acts as a stimulus to Stephen’s journey through his past. The smell of ‘liguster’ makes Stephen obsessive over an unsolved issue in his past. His obsession leads to him revisiting his past and narrating the story to the reader in hope of resolving this mystery. The use of ‘smell’ depicts the importance of senses and how it links to memory. A catalyst, like smell, can have a powerful effect on one’s memory and its recollection. Stephen portrays this effect perfectly as he demonstrates how a simple sensation like smell can be linked to the same smell but over half a century ago. This makes the reader feel suspicious towards the narrator, as the fragrance of an innocent shrub can trigger the revisit of an unwanted problem. Alternately, the smell of liguster is also described as ‘sweet reek’ throughout the novel. The use of juxtaposition implies how the fragrance might be linked to both happy and unhappy events
He accomplishes this by using different forms of symbolism throughout the novel. When Stephen is describing the world behind the ‘close’ he describes the tunnel leading up to it in a negative manner. The ‘tunnel’ symbolises the passing of time and loss of innocence of the protagonist. The ‘loss of innocence’ is shown by Stephen’s description of the ‘dark’ and ‘hollow’ tunnel. The negative description provides a childish image of Stephen as he doesn’t want to lose his innocence and explore the daunting world beyond the close. The tunnel also symbolises Stephen’s transition between childhood and adulthood, as his responsibilities and independence has increased. Stephen’s previous description of ‘chocolate spread’ and ‘lemon barley’ in Keith’s house depicts Stephen’s childhood, on the other hand, Stephen’s description of the other world includes ‘empty deserts’ and abandoned quarries’. This contrasting description portrays Stephen’s difficult transition to adulthood as he didn't want the extra responsibilities and independence that inevitably came with this change. However, the vivid and grim description of the tunnel could demonstrate Stephen’s fear of the transition itself. Adulthood is perceived as frightening and unwanted leading to this adverse description of the tunnel and the world beyond by the protagonist. This could make the reader feel pity and compassion for