3.3.1

Pages 214-226: Key Events

Test yourself

Key Events in Pages 214- 226: The Attack

Robbie leads Mace and Nettle northwards and they join a road filled with army vehicles heading to Dunkirk. They survive an attack by a German plane.

Illustrative background for Robbie reflects on sufferingIllustrative background for Robbie reflects on suffering ?? "content

Robbie reflects on suffering

  • Robbie reflects on the suffering he sees as they make their way northwards.
  • He relates his own personal experience to the experiences of those he sees around him.
Illustrative background for Quotation: **"dead civilisation"**Illustrative background for Quotation: **"dead civilisation"** ?? "content

Quotation: "dead civilisation"

  • A dead civilisation. First his own life ruined, then everybody else’s.” (p217).
  • Robbie’s thoughts move from the personal to the universal.
  • Just as he has suffered for a crime he did not commit, he sees the whole world as suffering from another crime – war – a crime against humanity.
  • The thought that “civilisation” is dead suggests that humanity has regressed to a primitive state.

Jump to other topics

1Introduction to Atonement

2Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part One

3Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Two

4Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Three

5Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Four

5.1Epilogue: London, 1999 - Pages 353-371

6Key Character Profiles

7Key Themes

8Writing Techniques

9Context

10Critical Debates

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