The Heat of the Day is a novel written by Irish-British author Elizabeth Bowen. The book was released in the United Kingdom in 1948.
The book covers many themes throughout the novel. One of the most prominent theme is that of the violence of war becoming a normal state of being, ”two years after the Blitz, Londoners, no longer traumatised by nightly raids, were growing acclimatised to ruin."
Another prominent theme is the loss of identity. During her marriage, Stella was unhappy and unloved. When she gets divorced, she is labelled as being the one who breaks off the marriage, though it is later revealed her husband had an affair. She then begins a relationship with Robert, a shady man, whilst rejecting the affections of a good and loyal man like Harrison. Her identity seems to be tied to her relationships. Only when she loses Robert, does Stella truly find herself.
Time is yet another theme that stands out throughout the novel. Various imagery of Clocks and watches are presented throughout, and reiterate the idea that time is running out for Stella and Robert.
