ATONEMENT STUDY QUESTIONS
PART ONE
ONE. Several viewpoints are presented within the first section of Atonement'. Briony, the central character of this section, presents an intuitive but naïve narration to be viewed with scrutiny. Cecilia and Robbie give a more realistic view of the world they live in, and Emily Tallis' small contribution gives the readers an insight into the impact of class on relationships. The issue involving Cecilia's venture into the fountain is perceived differently by Briony, Cecilia and Robbie. Briony believes that Cecilia is the victim of Robbie's sexual bullying, which leads her to conclude that Robbie is capable of crime. Cecilia's removal of her clothing to retrieve the vase from …show more content…
(Where's number ten?) Briony goes into nursing to prove her independence from her family. She makes several remarks throughout this section referring to her mothers' inability to believe that Briony could endure such physical work. The practicality of nursing contrasts with Briony's whimsical nature, and Briony regards this as a way to atone for her terrible sin.
TWELVE. The eighteen-year-old Briony's sense of responsibility is the main contrast against her pre-pubescent self portrayed in the earlier section. The fact that Briony has been able to commit herself to such hard work as nursing indicates that she is seeking a way to atone for potentially ruining two people's lives. Her pleasure in helping others is revealed when the wounded soldiers are admitted to the hospital. Her contribution to saving these lives still does not quell her guilt. Her courage to face her sister and Robbie is a pivotal change since the events in 1935. Briony's description of Robbie in this section exemplifies how much time has affected them all. His change in posture, wrinkles, weight loss and muscle gain are all examples of how time has changed Robbie physically, and Briony reflects on this as she visits he and Cecilia in their home. This and Cecilia's changed physique reminds Briony how much time has