6.1.3
Briony in Part Three & Four
Briony Tallis in Part Three & Four of Atonement
Briony Tallis in Part Three & Four of Atonement
The 18-year-old Briony we meet in Part Three is a more sympathetic figure. We share Briony's trauma as she deals with a succession of terribly wounded patients as the troops return from Dunkirk.
Briony's career as a nurse
Briony's career as a nurse
- We watch as Briony becomes more proficient as a nurse, even earning the respect of the intimidating Sister Drummond.
Briony's atonement
Briony's atonement
- There is a sense of Briony beginning to recognise and atone for her wrongdoing – she now admits to feelings of guilt and is horrified by the fear that Robbie may not return from France.
- Readers may also respond positively to the courage Briony shows in visiting her sister, despite her anxiety.
Briony's version of events
Briony's version of events
- However, one constant with Part One is that Briony still responds to the world around her as a writer and feels entitled to change facts as she sees fit.
- Acting on publisher advice to add more narrative to her novella, she reshapes the past to suit her purpose.
Revelations about Briony's narrative
Revelations about Briony's narrative
- The revelations at the end of Parts Three and Four that the text we are reading has been written by Briony, and that she has brought Cecilia and Robbie back from the dead, disorientates readers, forcing them to question and reassess what they have just read.
Briony in Part Four
Briony in Part Four
- The Briony of Part Four is a successful writer.
- But she is now 77-years-old and facing up to her remaining years with the debilitating effects of vascular dementia.
- Aware of her mortality, Briony justifies her decision to rewrite Cecilia and Robbie’s story as her providing a lasting memorial to their love. Readers will have to judge for themselves whether Briony has managed to atone for her sins.
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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