Atonement - Vase Symbolism

In Atonement, instead of the family’s stability being viewed as a rock like the ideal family, the vase in Atonement maintains peace but creates nothing but chaos and downfall when it is destroyed. When the vase, the family’s heirloom, begins to fall apart, so does the family, until the pieces are so tiny that repair becomes clearly impossible.
Throughout Ian McEwan’s Atonement, the vase symbolizes the destruction relationships and family bonds. The vase plays an important role in the Tallis’ family heritage. Mr. Tallis, in fact has a deep emotional connection to it. The Tallis vase was given to Uncle Clem (Jack Tallis’ brother) while “he was on liaison duties in the French sector and initiated a last-minute evacuation of a small town west of Verdun before it was shelled” (McEwan 21). Uncle Clem was a war hero for risking his life for others, and received this vase as a sign a gratitude. This is why Jack Tallis “wanted the vase in use, in honor of his brother’s memory” (McEwan 23). In Jack’s eyes having wild flowers alive in the vase meant that there is still life associated with his deceased brother, which thoroughly kept him alive in his eyes. Emily, Jack’s wife however, does not particularly like the vase throughout the novel because it has Chinese figures on it and “seemed fussy and oppressive” (McEwan 23), later tolerating it because she understands how important its meaning is honoring Clem’s legacy. In the beginning of the novel, the vase is in perfect condition and is beautiful as can be. It even had wild flowers on it. Many may believe these foreshadowed the chaos throughout the novel. The appearance of the vase is very royal looking and prestige and put together, similar to the Tallis family. Just like the vase, on the outside, the Tallis’ seem collected and stable, but in reality they clearly have issues, symbolized by the wildflowers. The family’s problems unfortunately go unrecognized until the chaos the night of the dinner. Ironically it is pointed