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
one member was even accusing…
Marshall of being a warmonger
Ch4
she felt him…
touch her lightly on her forearm. Or it may have been a leaf.
Ch4, Cecilia abt Marshall
he woke, hot across his chest and throat…
uncomfortably aroused.
Ch5, Marshall after having dreams abt his sisters
EWEWEWEWEW
you remind me…
of my favourite sister…
Ch5, Marshall to Lola
he crossed and uncrossed his legs. Then he took a deep breath…
‘Bite it’ … ‘You’ve got to bite it’
Ch5, Marshall to Lola
in her condition…
this was the only contribution she could make
Ch6, Emily
intended as a point of interest…
an eye-catching feature to enhance the pastoral ideal
Ch7, the architecture
fraying the nettles was becoming…
a self-purification
Ch7, Briony
she would simply wait on the bridge…
calm and obstinate, until events, real events, not her own fantasies, rose to her challenge, and dispelled her insignificance
Ch7, Briony
the air was…
still and heavy
Ch8
he stood suddenly…
seized by horror and absolute certainty
Ch8, Robbie abt the letter
but there…
was no choice
Ch9, Cecilia
he lifted a glass and…
presented it to her ‘I insist you try it’
Ch9, Marshall to Cecilia
Briony? Briony, did you read this?
But Briony, engaged in a shrill response to her brother’s suggestion
Ch9, Cecilia
but it was right, it was essential…
for her to know everything
Ch10, Briony abt the letter
the man’s a…
Maniac. A maniac.
ch10, Briony abt Robbie
it was Paul Marshall who…
broke more than three minutes of asphyxiating silence.
Ch11
