6.2.1

Overview of Robbie's Character

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Overview of Robbie Turner's Character in Atonement

Like Briony, we see Robbie in three different life stages. Briony has invented the Robbie she presents in Part Three.

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Stages of Robbie's life

  • We see Robbie in three different phases of his life:
    • Firstly, as a young man fresh from his studies at Cambridge.
    • Secondly, as a wounded soldier retreating to Dunkirk in northern France, the memories of his three and a half years in prison still fresh in his mind.
    • Finally, in London later that same year, as Cecilia’s partner.
Illustrative background for Briony's verion of RobbieIllustrative background for Briony's verion of Robbie ?? "content

Briony's verion of Robbie

  • We will eventually learn that the third depiction of Robbie is only a product of Briony’s imagination (although, strictly speaking, in the world of the novel all three versions of Robbie have been ‘written’ by Briony).
  • Briony has recreated the Robbie of Part Two from her research at the Imperial War Museum and correspondence with veterans such as Corporal Nettle.

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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