Atonement Part 1 Flashcards
What is Post Modernism Literature and how is it shown in Atonement?
-Relies on fragmentation, paradox and questionable narrators. It distrusts the idea that there is only 1 truth. Includes intertextuality, irony, characteristics of WW2 and is self-aware.
Links to Atonement - B creates her own reality (tricking the reader), fragmented POVs, focus on the effects of WW2, and it’s self-aware.
What is it important to remember about the narration?
That Briony is NOT an omniscient narrator - she doesn’t have access to everyone’s thoughts and feelings.
What are some of the crime elements in Atonement?
- Motive, secrecy, money
- Restoration of order/justice
- Imp of setting
- Comment on society
- Formation of Criminal/Detective/Victim
- Gossip & discussion
- Misinterpretation of Events - not EoC but important
Characterisation of Cecilia
-nurturing, wants to be needed. She took on her mothers role. Cares abt her looks and reputation.
Victim of Briony’s lies
Characterisation of Briory in Part 1
Intense and controlling but dedicated, creating an everlasting impression. Her naivety is present and obvious throughout.
Easily misinterprets things inevitably causing her to commit a crime - she inserts herself as a detective yet only sees what she wants
A Criminal attempting to atone
Characterisation of Robbie
-Educated and despite the explicit nature of ch8, we don't perceive him as a threat (possibly because we know the feelings are reciprocated). His class is consistently mentioned/referred to - emphasises the class divide and the stereotypes surrounding the working class. Victim of Briony's lies
Characterisation of Paul Marshall
Criminal Tendencies are shown yet brushed over due to the fact they are often paired with his comedic appearance, egotistical nature, and social standing.
On second reading his behaviour is more alarming.
The criminal
‘she was one of those children…
possessed by a desire to have the world just so’
Ch1, Briony
‘Nothing in her life was…
sufficiently interesting or shameful to merit hiding’
ch1, Briony
her movements were savage, and she would not meet his eye…
he did not exist, he was banished, and this also was the punishment’
Ch2, Cecilia
how easy it was…
to get everything wrong, completely wrong
Ch3, Briony
Robbie imperiously raised his hand now…
at his insistence… he looked on impatiently
Ch3, Briony POV
It’s the…
wrong genre!
Ch4, Briony
she noticed him…
hanging around the children lately. Perhaps he was interested in Lola.
Ch4, Cecilia abt Hardman
Marshall took control…
of the conversation with a ten-minute monologue
Ch4
