Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the novel "Atonement" by Ian McEwan. Specifically it contains an archetypal criticism of the book, showing how the author weaves the archetypal motif of Cinderella throughout the story. "Atonement" is the story of a young girl who changes the fate of others by her accusations, and then attempts to atone for her actions throughout her life. Briony opens the novel as a 13-year-old aspiring writer, and ends it as a 77-year-old acclaimed novelist. The paper relates that ehat happens in between this time is a story of change and tragedy, all brought together by Briony's own fairy tale story telling.
From the Paper "Robbie really does seem like a "Prince Charming" who can handle himself in any situation, and would make a good and loyal husband. That is confirmed when Robbie returns with the boys after a long night of searching, oblivious of the charges against him. McEwan shows his triumphant and innocent, when he writes, "Then it was obvious - this was Robbie, with one boy sitting up on his shoulders and the other holding his hand and trailing a little behind" (McEwan 171). That is alluded to again when Robbie "saves" Briony from drowning, and she tells him, "'I wanted you to save me'" (McEwan 217). Robbie is almost a larger-than-life figure, and in the novel, he represents everything good and decent, while Paul represents pure evil, but receives the rewards, anyway."
Abstract This paper examines how the narrative in Ian McEwan's "Atonement" shows how a story reveals more about the implied author's intentions and beliefs rather than those of her characters. It looks at how Briony Tallis accepts literary criticisms, adopts perspectives of those negatively affected by her actions, and employs other literary techniques in narrating a credible story of how interpretations can have indelible effects on the lives of other people. It also discusses whether Briony's actually atones for her wrongdoing and how her narration is her way of coming to terms with an ordeal that is only based on the story told in "Atonement".
From the Paper "The events that take place by the fountain form a pivotal turning point in Atonement; both internally as an aspect of Briony's seeming inability to atone, and externally as a driving force of the third-person narrative. According to Bennett and Royle, "narratives move from a state of equilibrium or stasis through a disturbance of this stability, and back to a state of equilibrium at the end" (55). Based on this view, the reader can perceive the fountain scene as a primary source of 'disturbance'. Innocence (the 'state of equilibrium') is not implicit; Briony stands before a window in a nursery and observes a sequence of action that takes place outside, by the fountain. She does not hear (and therefore, does not completely understand) the conversation between two adults."
Abstract The writer of this paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the books "Atonement" by Ian McEwan and "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien. The writer discusses how each author uses fiction to deal with reality. The paper's author says that reality is the backbone of both of these very different war novels, but contends that they both utilize reality in very different ways. Briony, the central character in "Atonement", retreats from the reality of what she thinks she has seen and creates an alternate fictional reality that blends her Cinderella dreams with reality. O'Brien, in his collection of short stories based on his own experiences in Vietnam, reshapes reality with fiction because Vietnam was a horrible experience that cannot be forgotten, and the only way to survive such a horrible experience is to blend reality with fiction so the result is easier to accept.
From the Paper "From an early age, Briony has showed an interest in writing, and even at 13, she understands many of the elements of fiction, which also help her replace reality with fiction in the very real story of Robbie and Cecelia. McEwan writes, "A crisis in a heroine's life could be made to coincide with hailstones, gales and thunder, whereas nuptials were generally blessed with good light and soft breezes" (McEwan 7). Thus, there has always seemed to be an element of unreality in Briony's life, so it would be natural for her to blend reality with fiction to create the most important story of her life. A literary critic writes, "McEwan debates fiction and fact in this historical panorama covering six decades of the twentieth century. Beginning in prewar Britain and concluding with the millennium, Atonement is a study of before and after, cause and effect, crime and punishment" (Stovel 114). Indeed, it is a novel of atonement, and so, it may have more in common with O'Brien's novel than might appear at first glance."
