Author Study
Laura
Flashbacks
In Atonement, flashbacks are used in order to convey two of the themes. These themes contribute the ideas that atonement can never be fully achieved without examining yourself as an individual and that the power of the author has total control over a novel’s world. The use of flashbacks throughout the novel helps to foreshadow and convey the guilt that Briony felt after she committed her “crime.” For example, at the end of chapter three the first flashback to the present occurs and it is revealed that Briony is the author of the story. The brief flashback reflects on the “1935 incident” and she continues to state that “the truth had become as ghostly as invention.” This statement implies that the truth behind the “1935 incident” had faded and did not exist to others except for her alone. However, the truth was no more than a long forgotten shadow of reminder and it might as well have been just an “invention” of her imagination. Thus, it can be inferred that there is a hint of remorse that she has for the “incident” to come. Part two of the book takes the audience to the World War II era. Even though it is written in Robbie’s point of view, the audience can assume that Briony wrote down what she thought his thoughts would be. By writing their story as it should have been, she is able to reunite the couple through the use of her infamous imagination and creativity. Therefore, in her story she describes Robbie returning from war and happily reuniting with Cecilia, the person that he loves the most in this world. Throughout this flashback, Cecilia is also frequently referred to as the one motivation that Robbie still has in his life. Cecilia’s famous line, “I’ll wait for you. Come back” is constantly referred to by Briony and she even uses it at the end of the letters, which Cecilia wrote to Robbie. This particular statement shows its importance because it was discussed earlier by the young Briony during her flashback on the “island” and it indicates that Briony longs to return to a happy time when her big sister would be there for her. It is clear that towards the conclusion of this flashback Robbie dies because of his wounds from the shrapnel. For instance he states, “I promise, you won't hear another word from me”. The audience can easily assume that this statement is a foreshadowing of his fate. As revealed later in the novel, Cecilia dies as well and the two young lovers never had the opportunity to reunite before their deaths. The last flashback to the present reveals that by immortalizing the couple’s love on paper Briony had hoped to obtain a little bit of atonement because through the use of her “imagination” only she can “set the limits and terms” in which their love “survives and flourishes.” Ultimately, Briony utilized her talents as a writer and author in order to create a love story in which there was a happy ending for the two lovers as well as her achievement of atoning for past sins, which was only accomplished through her final work. Therefore, the flashbacks directly correlate with the themes of atonement and power of the author.
Foil Characters
In this novel, foil characters are used in order to convey the theme of misperception and how it can lead to terrible consequences. For example, Robbie Turner and Paul Marshall can be considered as two foil characters due to their opposite personalities. Paul Marshall is shown to be a typical upper class male who acts smug and pretentious as well as arrogant towards others. However, Robbie Turner is a lower class, handsome, and modest man. It is especially evident when Cecilia describes Paul to be “so nearly handsome, so hugely rich, and so unfathomably stupid.” This suggests that even though he may appear like a “prince” he would never make her happy because of his personality. It is ironic that because of Briony’s misperception towards Robbie, Paul escapes punishment for his crime. After she witnesses the library scene between Robbie and Cecilia she believes him to be a “maniac” for “attacking” her sister. Yet no one ever reads into Paul’s strange behavior towards Lola when he compliments her on things such as her “trousers” or even when he is caught spying on her. However, the fact that he is considered an upper-class “gentleman” plays a huge role in Briony’s misjudgment of him. Thus, Briony never thinks of him as a suspect; but, she accuses Robbie because he is a lower-class “maniac.” Briony and Cecilia can be considered as foil characters in the novel as well. Even though they are sisters, they are total opposites as well. Briony is described to be an “imaginative” and “innocent” young girl. On the other hand, Cecilia is presented as a much more mature and realistic young woman. As a result, Briony’s personality plays a key role in the misperception and incrimination of Robbie Turner. Due to her innocence she does not realize that Robbie has pure intentions towards Cecilia. Instead she and Lola assume him to be a “maniac” after they read the letter that was never meant to be sent. Thus, she misjudges the situation in the library when in fact she does not realize that they are two consenting adults. When it was revealed that Briony confessed her “love” to Robbie prior to the “1935 incident,” the audience can also assume that her “jealousy” obscured her judgment because of her feelings towards Robbie. Even after Robbie is arrested Cecilia still believes him to be innocent because she is aware of Briony’s “imaginative” nature. Therefore, it can be inferred that Cecilia knew Briony had falsely accused Robbie. Briony nearly even admits to her “guilt” of accusing the wrong man for the wrong reasons. It is especially evident when she receives an ominous letter from her father, which the reader can suggest that he knew all along of Briony’s crime towards Robbie as well as Lola’s hand in the whole incident. Ultimately, these foil characters had certain qualities or characteristics that led to their misjudgment based on stereotypes. Therefore, foil characters played an important role in conveying the theme of misperception.