2.11.2

Chapter 11: Key Themes

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Key Themes in Chapter 11

We hear Robbie's perspective on his sexual encounter with Cecilia. Lola's injuries are revealed.

Narrative perspective

Narrative perspective

  • After the description of the dinner table and the oppressive atmosphere in the room due to the heat, we look back at the events leading to the sexual encounter in the library from Robbie’s perspective.
Graphic details of love making

Graphic details of love making

  • The description of Robbie and Cecilia making love contains graphic detail and a wide range of sensual imagery: “contact of tongues… moist flesh on flesh… strange sound it drew from her…”.
  • The violence of the initial flurry of passion soon gives way to more tender passages where time seems to be suspended (“They moved closer, deeper and then, for seconds on end, everything stopped” p137).
Revelation of Lola's injuries

Revelation of Lola's injuries

  • Lola only reveals her injuries when the twins are absent from the table, a hint that Lola is scapegoating them for something they did not do.
  • Significantly, Robbie notices that Marshall is also scratched between his eye and nose (p127).
  • Emily’s shock at Lola’s wounds (“How on earth did they do that?”) also suggests the force used during Marshall’s ‘horseplay’ or assault.
Allusion to *Twelfth Night*

Allusion to Twelfth Night

  • Robbie recalls a quote spoken by Malvolio in Twelfth Night (“nothing that can be can come between me and the full prospect of my hopes”) in which Malvolio mistakenly states that nothing can prevent him from finding love and happiness with Olivia.
  • This allusion acts as a possible foreshadowing of future heartbreak for Robbie.
Jump to other topics
1

Introduction to Atonement

1.1

Introduction & Background to Atonement

1.1.1Background to the Author - Ian McEwan1.1.2Settings & Historical Context of Atonement1.1.3Social Issues Raised in Atonement
1.2

Focus of Your Exam: Crime Texts

1.2.1Atonement as a Crime Text
2

Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part One

2.1

Chapter 1

2.1.1Chapter 1: Key Events2.1.2Chapter 1: Key Themes
2.2

Chapter 2

2.2.1Chapter 2: Key Events2.2.2Chapter 2: Key Themes
2.3

Chapter 3

2.3.1Chapter 3: Key Events2.3.2Chapter 3: Key Themes
2.4

Chapter 4

2.4.1Chapter 4: Key Events2.4.2Chapter 4: Key Themes
2.5

Chapter 5

2.5.1Chapter 5: Key Events2.5.2Chapter 5: Key Themes
2.6

Chapter 6

2.6.1Chapter 6: Key Events & Themes
2.7

Chapter 7

2.7.1Chapter 7: Key Events2.7.2Chapter 7: Key Themes
2.8

Chapter 8

2.8.1Chapter 8: Key Events2.8.2Chapter 8: Key Themes
2.9

Chapter 9

2.9.1Chapter 9: Key Events2.9.2Chapter 9: Key Themes
2.10

Chapter 10

2.10.1Chapter 10: Key Events2.10.2Chapter 10: Key Themes
2.11

Chapter 11

2.11.1Chapter 11: Key Events2.11.2Chapter 11: Key Themes
2.12

Chapter 12

2.12.1Chapter 12: Key Events2.12.2Chapter 12: Key Themes
2.13

Chapter 13

2.13.1Chapter 13: Key Events2.13.2Chapter 13: Key Themes
2.14

Chapter 14

2.14.1Chapter 14: Key Events2.14.2Chapter 14: Key Themes
3

Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Two

3.1

Pages 191-201: To the Farmhouse

3.1.1Pages 191-201: Key Events3.1.2Pages 191-201: Key Themes
3.2

Pages 202-213: The Night in the Barn

3.2.1Pages 202-213: Key Events3.2.2Pages 202-213: Key Themes
3.3

Pages 214-226: The Attack

3.3.1Pages 214-226: Key Events3.3.2Pages 214-226: Key Themes
3.4

Pages 226-234: Robbie's Reflections

3.4.1Pages 226-234: Key Events3.4.2Pages 226-234: Key Themes
3.5

Pages 234-246: To the Bridge over the Canal

3.5.1Pages 234-246: Key Events3.5.2Pages 234-246: Key Themes
3.6

Pages 246-254: Arrival at Dunkirk

3.6.1Pages 246-254: Key Events3.6.2Pages 246-254: Key Themes
3.7

Pages 254-265: To the Cellar

3.7.1Pages 254-265: Key Events3.7.2Pages 254-265: Key Themes
4

Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Three

4.1

Pages 269-277: London, 1940

4.1.1Pages 269-277: Key Events4.1.2Pages 269-277: Key Themes
4.2

Pages 277-286: Briony as Writer

4.2.1Pages 277-286: Key Events4.2.2Pages 277-286: Key Themes
4.3

Pages 287-315: Victims of War

4.3.1Pages 287-315: Key Events4.3.2Pages 287-315: Key Themes
4.4

Pages 315-327: Lola & Paul Marshall’s Wedding

4.4.1Pages 315-327: Key Events4.4.2Pages 315-327: Key Themes
4.5

Pages 328-349: The Visit

4.5.1Pages 328-349: Key Events4.5.2Pages 328-349: Key Themes
5

Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Four

5.1

Epilogue: London, 1999 - Pages 353-371

5.1.1Pages 353-371: Key Events5.1.2Pages 353-371: Key Themes
6

Key Character Profiles

6.1

Briony Tallis

6.1.1Overview of Briony's Character6.1.2Briony in Part One6.1.3Briony in Part Three & Four
6.2

Robbie Turner

6.2.1Overview of Robbie's Character6.2.2Robbie in Part One6.2.3Robbie in Part Two & Three
6.3

Cecilia Tallis

6.3.1Cecilia in Part One6.3.2Cecilia in Part Three
6.4

Lola Quincey

6.4.1Overview of Lola Quincey6.4.2Lola Relationship with Marshall
6.5

Paul Marshall

6.5.1Overview of Paul Marshall6.5.2Paul Marshall's Relationship with Lola6.5.3Paul Marshall's Power
6.6

Emily Tallis

6.6.1Overview of Emily Tallis6.6.2Emily Tallis' Character
7

Key Themes

7.1

Introduction to Crime Texts

7.1.1Common Themes in Crime Texts
7.2

Crimes in Atonement

7.2.1Crimes in Atonement7.2.2Structural Patterning & Ambiguity in Crime Texts
7.3

Criminals in Atonement

7.3.1Paul Marshall & Lola as Criminals7.3.2Narrative Point of View in Crime Texts
7.4

Victims in Atonement

7.4.1Lola, Robbie & Cecilia as Victims7.4.2Females Victims & Social Class in Crime Texts
7.5

Detection in Atonement

7.5.1Detection in Atonement7.5.2Detection in Crime Texts
7.6

Settings in Atonement

7.6.1Settings in Atonement7.6.2Symbolism of Settings in Crime Texts
7.7

Guilt & Punishment in Atonement

7.7.1Marshall & Briony Escaping Punishment7.7.2Guilt & Punishment in Crime Texts
8

Writing Techniques

8.1

Structure

8.1.1Overview of Structure8.1.2Metanarrative, Circular Structure & Ending8.1.3Manipulation of Time
8.2

Form

8.2.1Narrative Perspective8.2.2Genre
8.3

Symbols & Motifs

8.3.1Symbolism of the Vase & Amo Bar
8.4

Language

8.4.1Focalising Through Briony & Robbie
9

Context

9.1

Historical Context

9.1.1The Summer of 19359.1.2Dunkirk, 19409.1.3London, 1940
9.2

Social Context

9.2.1Social Class9.2.2The Role of Women in the 1930/40s
9.3

Literary Context

9.3.1Literary Genres & Atonement
10

Critical Debates

10.1

Marxist Literary Criticism

10.1.1Introduction to Marxist Literary Criticism10.1.2Marxist Readings: Importance of Social Class10.1.3Marxist Reading: Capitalist Exploitation & War
10.2

Feminist Literary Criticism

10.2.1Introduction to Feminist Literary Criticism10.2.2Feminist Readings: Gender Roles & Stereotypes10.2.3Feminist Readings: Marriage & Family10.2.4Feminist Readings: Male & Female Sexuality

Practice questions on Chapter 11: Key Themes

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Complete the sensual imagery showing Robbie's perspective on the library scene. Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Which of these are true of Lola and Marshall's wounds?True / false
  3. 3
    How does Emily respond to seeing Lola's wounds?Multiple choice
Answer all questions on Chapter 11: Key Themes

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Chapter 11: Key Events

Chapter 12: Key Events