How Does Michael Frayn Present Stephens View of the Tunnel and Beyond

In the book Spies written by Michael Frayn, the main character Steven, presents to the reader a very varied view point of the area: the Tunnel and Beyond. Michael Frayn through his usage of language and imagery has presented to the reader a vivid image which effects us emotionally in many different ways, which is similar to the effect this particular area has on Stephen. Michael Frayn choses to use the Tunnel and Beyond as a symbol which allows him to communicate to the reader the emotions and thoughts of Stephen, which allows a greater interaction with the book for readers particularly through Frayns use of creating detailed imagery. Firstly, Michael Frayn presents Stephens view of the Tunnel and Beyond as a motif which symbolises some of the main themes within the book. One theme which is addressed through the usage of the Tunnel and Beyond is that of manhood and maturity, specifically Stephens. In the extract, the Tunnel and Beyond represents so much to Stephen, it is a fearful and mysterious place which must be overcome in order for Stephen to expose Mrs Hayward as a German spy. An example which shows the Tunnel being a symbol of manhood is: the never-ending returns of the high cries that Keith and Stephen uttered to test the echoes and show they werent afraid. This extract shows the confliction betweens Stephens boyhood and manhood. The word utter does not seem to the reader of one that reflects strength or bravery, whereas it does portray to the reader a weaker image of a boy, readers would expect words such as shouted and screamed from Stephen who is trying to hide is his fear. Michael Frayn has used

words in this extract such as high cries, this encourage the image of a boy as cries are often associated with children and particularly babies. By including the adjective high this emphasises the idea of Stephen being a scared child and contributing to the idea that Michael Frayn is presenting the Tunnel and Beyond as a metaphor of Stephens manhood. When Michael Frayn writes to show we werent afraid it is something which many are able to relate to saying in order to sound more mature, however it often has the opposite effect of sounding childish, is which shows the reader that Stephen is truly scared of the Tunnel and Beyond it also shows that Michael Frayn is presenting to the reader Stephen who is making a conscious effort with his actions and words in order for him to be regarded as a man but by doing it so obviously we are shown a boy scared of a Tunnel and all the things which are attached with that for him, which obviously create a strong reaction. Furthermore, Michael Frayn presents the tunnel and beyond in the view of Stephen as a place of mystery but at the same time a place which holds a certain amount of familiarity for the main character. This is shown to the reader early on in the chapter as the adjectives which Frayn has given are not very specific and detailed but they are numerous. The reader would expect for a place which is so significant to Stephen and Keith they would have an increased knowledge of the specific area and be aware of the small details, whereas the reader is shocked to realise how little the boys know. An example which illustrates the undetailed knowledge of the tunnel and beyond is in the opening paragraph of chapter five; I hear the rumbling hollowness of the old brick tunnel. In this short sentence Frayn has given three adjectives: hollowness, rumbling and old, this shows to the reader that Stephen has a heightened awareness of his environment as he is

able to describe his surroundings. Michael Frayns usage of many adjectives show to the reader that this is a highly significant place for Stephen which holds so much. If less adjectives and descriptive techniques were used the reader may fail to realise the significance of this area for Stephen. The detail that the author has used is important as he uses it alongside ambiguity which creates an image of detail but mystery at the same time which is parallels Stephens emotions and feelings, In addition, the Tunnel an Beyond is also presented to the reader in the point of view of Stephen to be an alien and foreign place which contrasts hugely to the close in which Stephen has lived all his life. Stephen describes the area beyond the tunnel as the old world. Michael Frayn has purposefully selected this word choice as it is not a very common phrase which adds to the alien quality that Stephen has regarding the tunnel and the area beyond it. In conclusion, Michael Frayn has presented Stephens view of the Tunnel and Beyond in many different ways using various methods and techniques which achieve different reactions and effects on the readers. One of the major ways, and in my opinion the most successful, in which the Tunnel and Beyond has been presented by Michael Frayn is as a metaphor which communicates the themes of manhood and maturity to the reader as a physical representation, Michael Frayn effectively uses the image of passing through the Tunnel from childhood into adulthood, he attaches all the different emotions such as fear which comes with this transition. The authors chose of words also help in presenting a clear image of Stephens view of the Tunnel and Beyond, by purposefully using a mixture of detail and ambiguity the

reader is able to interact with the same mind frame as that of Stephen creating a more interactive experience for readers.