The library door was thick and none of the ordinary sounds that might have reminded them, might have held them back, could reach them. They were beyond the present, outside time, with no memories and no future
The thick library door isolates the characters from the world outside, creating a sense of detachment from reality. The sounds that usually connect people to their environment are muffled, allowing them to enter a space where time loses its significance. This tangible barrier symbolizes the characters' escape from their ordinary lives, as they immerse themselves in a realm surrounded by knowledge and imagination.
Within this timeless atmosphere, the characters are devoid of memories and future concerns, enabling them to exist purely in the moment. This reflection points to the profound impact of literature and imagination, suggesting that within the confines of a library, one can experience a unique freedom from life's challenges and complexities. McEwan captures this essence, illustrating how literature can transport individuals to a place of introspection and possibility.