2.12.2
Chapter 12: Key Themes
Key Themes in Chapter 12:
Key Themes in Chapter 12:
Chapter 12 gives us an insight into Emily Tallis' character. The theme of childhood runs throughout the chapter.
Emily's narrative viewpoint
Emily's narrative viewpoint
- Despite the drama happening in the grounds, we stay with Emily Tallis in the “thick walls of silence” of her home.
- We see her anticipate the telephone call she needs to make to the police constable and how she becomes side-tracked by her irritation with Lola, whose attention-seeking behaviour has reminded Emily of Lola’s mother, Hermione.
Emily's self interest
Emily's self interest
- The reader is left with the impression of Emily being utterly self-absorbed.
- While we may sympathise with Emily because she's aware that her husband is having an affair, readers may be frustrated by her passivity, seen in her unwillingness to confront her husband, and by her lapses into self-pity.
Emily's lack of judgement
Emily's lack of judgement
- Emily’s lack of judgement will also affect how readers respond to her. We learn that she was impressed with Marshall and even considers him as a potential husband for Cecilia (“Was he suitable?” (p152)).
- Emily’s poor judgement is again illustrated when her husband does not hesitate in calling the police, unlike her.
"Ghost" of Emily's childhood
"Ghost" of Emily's childhood
- Emily reflects on the “ghost” of her childhood and remembers “her aggrieved, overlooked ten-year-old self” (p151).
- Typically for Emily, after considering the “approaching end of Briony’s childhood”, she begins to focus on herself and before long, descends into self-pity.
“Wronged child, wronged wife”
“Wronged child, wronged wife”
- Emily sums up her life in the phrase, “wronged child, wronged wife” (p148).
- This illustrates a key idea which is explored in the novel – the extent to which one’s childhood shapes one’s later life.
- Emily, reflecting on the “limited arc of existence” feels that her life’s path was determined in childhood.
1Introduction to Atonement
1.1Introduction & Background to Atonement
1.2Focus of Your Exam: Crime Texts
2Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part One
2.6Chapter 6
2.10Chapter 10
2.11Chapter 11
2.12Chapter 12
2.13Chapter 13
2.14Chapter 14
3Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Two
3.1Pages 191-201: To the Farmhouse
3.2Pages 202-213: The Night in the Barn
3.3Pages 214-226: The Attack
3.4Pages 226-234: Robbie's Reflections
3.5Pages 234-246: To the Bridge over the Canal
3.6Pages 246-254: Arrival at Dunkirk
3.7Pages 254-265: To the Cellar
4Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Three
4.1Pages 269-277: London, 1940
4.2Pages 277-286: Briony as Writer
4.3Pages 287-315: Victims of War
4.4Pages 315-327: Lola & Paul Marshall’s Wedding
4.5Pages 328-349: The Visit
5Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Four
5.1Epilogue: London, 1999 - Pages 353-371
6Key Character Profiles
6.1Briony Tallis
6.2Robbie Turner
6.3Cecilia Tallis
6.5Paul Marshall
6.6Emily Tallis
7Key Themes
7.1Introduction to Crime Texts
7.2Crimes in Atonement
7.3Criminals in Atonement
7.4Victims in Atonement
7.5Detection in Atonement
7.6Settings in Atonement
7.7Guilt & Punishment in Atonement
8Writing Techniques
9Context
9.1Historical Context
9.2Social Context
9.3Literary Context
10Critical Debates
10.1Marxist Literary Criticism
Jump to other topics
1Introduction to Atonement
1.1Introduction & Background to Atonement
1.2Focus of Your Exam: Crime Texts
2Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part One
2.6Chapter 6
2.10Chapter 10
2.11Chapter 11
2.12Chapter 12
2.13Chapter 13
2.14Chapter 14
3Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Two
3.1Pages 191-201: To the Farmhouse
3.2Pages 202-213: The Night in the Barn
3.3Pages 214-226: The Attack
3.4Pages 226-234: Robbie's Reflections
3.5Pages 234-246: To the Bridge over the Canal
3.6Pages 246-254: Arrival at Dunkirk
3.7Pages 254-265: To the Cellar
4Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Three
4.1Pages 269-277: London, 1940
4.2Pages 277-286: Briony as Writer
4.3Pages 287-315: Victims of War
4.4Pages 315-327: Lola & Paul Marshall’s Wedding
4.5Pages 328-349: The Visit
5Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Four
5.1Epilogue: London, 1999 - Pages 353-371
6Key Character Profiles
6.1Briony Tallis
6.2Robbie Turner
6.3Cecilia Tallis
6.5Paul Marshall
6.6Emily Tallis
7Key Themes
7.1Introduction to Crime Texts
7.2Crimes in Atonement
7.3Criminals in Atonement
7.4Victims in Atonement
7.5Detection in Atonement
7.6Settings in Atonement
7.7Guilt & Punishment in Atonement
8Writing Techniques
9Context
9.1Historical Context
9.2Social Context
9.3Literary Context
10Critical Debates
10.1Marxist Literary Criticism
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