Genre
A novel
Setting and Context
The action takes place in London, where Samson Young writes his book. In addition, the significant place is a pub “Black Cross”, where the main characters meet each other and spend their free time.
Narrator and Point of View
It may seem that the narrator is Martin Amis. As a matter of fact, the narrator is Samson Young, who writes a novel about Nicola, Keith, and Guy. Sam retells the novel in the name of Amis. He is a first person.
Tone and Mood
As the main themes of the novel are murder, death and crime, the tone is tragic and a little mysterious.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The main protagonist is Nicola Six. The main antagonist is Samson Young.
Major Conflict
The major conflict happens between Nicola and her inner world. Her soul makes her commit suicide, because she does not want to grow old. It is a great sin.
Climax
The climax is unexpected. When Nicola is ready to be killed by Keith Talen, her murderer turns out to be the narrator of the novel – Sam Young. Sam kills Nicola and she attains her eternal youth.
Foreshadowing
Nicola’s diaries foreshadow her death. In her diaries, Nicola writes how she wants to be killed and her death is realized.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
The novel alludes to:
• London that is the capital of Great Britain;
• Napoléon Bonaparte, who was a French military and political leader;
• Darts that is a form of throwing sport;
• Rastafari that is a young, African religion;
• Saul Bellow, who was an American writer.
Imagery
View the section on imagery
Paradox
The main paradox is that all people want to live and have a long and happy life, but the main heroine Nicola Six desires to die.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
“Fifteen minutes later, dressed for death, Nicola called her black cab and drank two cups of black coffee and tasted with hunger the black tobacco of a French cigarette.”
The author means that Nicola is dressed for a date with her murderer, who is going to kill Nicola.
Personification
The black cab personifies the way to death.
