3.6.2

Pages 246-254: Key Themes

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Key Themes in Pages 246-254: Arrival at Dunkirk

Robbie’s exhaustion is conveyed by the “dream state” he walks in with “no memory… no idea” of recent events (p246).

Robbie's narrative perspective

Robbie's narrative perspective

  • Robbie is traumatised and badly wounded.
  • Robbie understands the appeal of joining in with the mob in its attack against the RAF man but resists, recognising its “insidious” appeal.
Beach setting

Beach setting

  • When Robbie gets to the beach there is a brief recognition of the healing power of nature when the “breeze off the Channel restored him”.
  • There is a surreal juxtaposition between the description of the resort of Bray with its “cheerful front of cafes and little shops” (p248) and the chaotic scenes on the beach where “thousands of men… twenty thousand, perhaps more” gathered in confusion.
  • The men’s brief visit to the bar creates a “homesick yearning” for normality back in England.
Analysis of the mob attack

Analysis of the mob attack

  • The attack on the RAF man shows the ugliness of the mob mentality where “any remaining sense of individual responsibility fell away”. He is another innocent victim in the novel, a victim of mob justice. He is scapegoated because of his uniform and dehumanised by the mob, described as “like a mole” on p252.
  • The mob’s behaviour can be seen as the result of collective pain, grief and trauma from men who have presumably suffered like Robbie in their retreat north.
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 Pages 246-254: Key Themes

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  1. 1
    How does Robbie describe the mob's appeal?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What do the men feel after visiting the bar briefly in this section?Multiple choice
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Pages 246-254: Key Events

Pages 254-265: Key Events