6.1.3

Briony in Part Three & Four

Test yourself

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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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