Previous
Part 1, Chapter 9
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Atonement, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Perspective
Guilt
Class
Lost Innocence
The Unchangeable Past
Stories and Literature
Summary
Analysis
Briony has trouble deciding how she should feel after reading Robbie’s letter to Cecilia. She is convinced that the contradictions she sees in the scenario have ushered her into adult emotion—a consciousness that would improve her writing. Robbie’s letter has introduced an element of threat, and Briony is confident that Cecilia will need her protection and help combatting Robbie’s dark, male impulses.
Yet again, Briony sees the interaction between Cecilia and Robbie in terms centered on herself—as an experience that both will make her mature, improve her writing, and demands that she become a hero. Briony crafts a narrative in which Robbie is a one-dimensional villain, simply because this narrative aligns with her limited, immature view of the world.
Themes
As she prepares for dinner, Briony tries to write about the interaction she witnessed between Cecilia and Robbie. Though her aim is to not be judgmental, Briony finds that “she could never forgive Robbie his disgusting mind.” She is torn about whether she should write an ordinary diary entry or a more creative piece.
Here, Briony treats Robbie like a character in one of her stories. In so doing, she makes a classic literary blunder: she does not allow characters the capacity for emotion that is different from her own. Robbie’s mind is “disgusting” because Briony’s perspective is too narrow for her to imagine that his letter could be anything but disgusting.
Themes
Lola comes by Briony’s room and sits on Briony’s bed. She is covered in scratches and chafing, and explains that her younger brothers have been torturing her all evening. Lola begins to cry, and Briony starts to feel more sympathy towards her. Lola’s moment of weakness makes Briony feel more powerful, and Briony comforts her older cousin happily, trying to take on an air of wisdom.
Themes
As Lola cleans up, Briony tells her of her interaction with Robbie, and the salacious contents of the letter that she has intercepted. Lola calls Robbie a “maniac,” and the two girls decide that Robbie has deceived them for years with a façade of friendliness. They decide that the police should be notified.
Themes
Get the entire Atonement LitChart as a printable PDF.
As Lola continues to get ready, Briony descends to dinner and considers what strategy will be best to protect Cecilia from Robbie. As she moves through the house, she passes the library door and is surprised to find it closed. She hears a muffled noise coming from within. For a reason she doesn’t quite understand, she opens the door. In the dark, she sees Robbie and Cecilia hunched in the corner over a pile of books. She sees that Robbie is grasping Cecilia and interprets their positioning to mean that Robbie is restraining Cecilia against her will. Cecilia, startled, paces out past Briony, and Briony is surprised that her older sister shows no sign of “gratitude or relief.” Robbie adjusts his clothing sheepishly in the corner, and Briony runs off to find Cecilia.
Themes
