4.2.1

Pages 277-286: Key Events

Test yourself

Key Events in Pages 277-286: Briony as Writer

In this section, we again see Briony as a writer. Initially, she works on her journal. But then we learn that she has written a story based on the events described in Part One.

Illustrative background for Briony's lettersIllustrative background for Briony's letters ?? "content

Briony's letters

  • Briony has also written to Cecilia but has had no reply.
  • Briony receives a letter from her father telling her that Paul Marshall and Lola Quincey are to marry.
Illustrative background for Briony's journalIllustrative background for Briony's journal ?? "content

Briony's journal

  • Briony keeps a journal which she adds to daily.
  • Even in her journal of each day’s events, Briony feels free to embellish the truth and “invent” storylines.
Illustrative background for Quotation: Briony and the truthIllustrative background for Quotation: Briony and the truth ?? "content

Quotation: Briony and the truth

  • “She was under no obligation to the truth, she had promised no one a chronicle” (p280).
    • Mention of “the truth” immediately creates some irony when we recall Briony’s accusation against Robbie in Part One.
    • However, there is also a deeper layer of irony present as we will later learn that an older Briony has, particularly in Part Three of the novel, rewritten the “truth”.

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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