Atonement Chapter 1&2 Flashcards
Who is the author of the play The Trials of Arabella?
Briony Tallis
Briony is a thirteen-year-old girl who has written the play for her brother’s visit.
What is the main plot of The Trials of Arabella?
A woman, Arabella, falls in love with a foreign count, contracts cholera, and eventually marries the doctor who cares for her
The story involves themes of love, abandonment, and acceptance.
How does The Trials of Arabella end?
With the wedding of the doctor and Arabella, who is accepted by her family again
This resolution highlights themes of reconciliation and familial acceptance.
What motivates Briony to write plays?
A passion for writing and the desire to create whole worlds
Briony finds satisfaction in writing and having secrets in her otherwise mundane life.
Who are the characters in Briony’s play?
Arabella, a foreign count, and a doctor
The character of Arabella is central to the play’s themes of love and fate.
What is Briony’s relationship with her cousins?
They are Lola, Jackson, and Pierrot, who are visiting due to their parents’ divorce
Lola is fifteen, while Jackson and Pierrot are nine years old and twins.
What is Briony’s initial reaction upon seeing her cousins?
She is dismayed that they all have red hair and freckles, not matching her character descriptions
This highlights Briony’s idealistic vision for her play.
How does Briony feel about Lola wanting to play Arabella?
She feels obligated to say yes, despite her disappointment
Briony had envisioned herself playing the role of Arabella.
What emotions does Briony experience during the rehearsal?
Embarrassment, anger, and a sense of inadequacy
She feels childlike compared to Lola and struggles with her role as director.
Fill in the blank: Briony has had a passion for writing since the age of _______.
eleven
This early start in writing influences her later works.
True or False: Briony is confident in her role as the director of the play.
False
Briony struggles with feelings of inadequacy and frustration during the rehearsal.
Who is Cecilia Tallis?
Briony’s older sister by ten years
In chapter 2 Cecilia is aaked to collect flowers for a visitor’s room.
What is Robbie Turner’s relationship to the Tallis family?
Son of the family’s charlady
Robbie grew up on the Tallis property and was childhood friends with Cecilia.
Why does Cecilia try to avoid Robbie?
They grew apart as they got older
Despite being childhood friends, their relationship has changed.
What does Robbie plan to do after graduating from Cambridge?
Attend medical school
How does Cecilia feel about Robbie’s education being funded by her father?
She finds it presumptuous because Cecilia’s father acts as Robbie’s benefactor.
What significant item does Cecilia find while arranging flowers?
A vase that belonged to her uncle Clem
The vase has historical significance from World War I.
What did Uncle Clem do to acquire the vase?
Evacuated villagers during World War I
The vase was given to him as a token of gratitude.
What does Cecilia wonder about the flowers she is arranging?
Whether Paul Marshall will notice them
Paul is her brother’s friend.
What does Cecilia ask Robbie for when she goes outside?
A cigarette
This leads to their awkward conversation.
What happens during the struggle over the vase?
The lip of the vase breaks
Two sections fall into the fountain.
What does Robbie do after the vase breaks?
He takes responsibility and tries to retrieve the pieces
He begins to unbutton his shirt to go into the fountain.
How does Cecilia respond to Robbie’s offer of help?
She refuses and undresses, then dives into the fountain herself
She retrieves the broken pieces without speaking to Robbie.
