2.5.2

Chapter 5: Key Themes

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Key Themes in Chapter 5

Chapter 5 is told from various perspectives.

Lola and Marshall's perspectives

Lola and Marshall's perspectives

  • At times, Lola is the focalizer. Her thoughts and feelings helping to portray an insecure adolescent.
  • But we also see from the viewpoints of the cousins and Paul Marshall. The account of Marshall’s dream involving his younger sisters is particularly unsettling and even the twins sense something ‘off’ about Marshall.
Quincey parent divorce

Quincey parent divorce

  • The Quincey parents are undergoing a divorce. Their status in society makes this a public scandal which is written about in the newspapers.
  • Divorce was very uncommon in 1935 and reserved for those rich enough to afford the legal costs, contributing to the sense of scandal. It is clearly a taboo subject among the children who fear it as a stigma, seen in Lola’s furious reaction to the very mention of the word.
Role of parents in *Atonement*

Role of parents in Atonement

  • When Lola advances on him, Jackson threatens to “tell the Parents”. However, the use of a capital letter perhaps suggests that the parents are more of a symbolic threat than an actual one. They are rarely present to actually tell.
  • The possible sexual innuendo made by Marshall to Lola and the suspicion that Marshall is manipulating or grooming Lola makes the absence of an adult authority figure even more damning.
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 5: Key Themes

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  1. 1
    Whose viewpoint do we NOT see events from in Chapter 5?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What evidence is that that divorce is seen as a taboo subject in Chapter 5?Fill in the list
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Chapter 5: Key Events

Chapter 6: Key Events & Themes