9.2.1

Social Class

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Social Class: The Tallises and Robbie

The Tallises are an upper-middle-class family with a level of inherited wealth. Jack Tallis is a senior civil servant working for the War Ministry in Whitehall. Emily sees to the day-to-day running of the house.

Difference: Cecilia & Robbie

Difference: Cecilia & Robbie

  • Cecilia and Robbie have both been educated at Cambridge University but there is a marked difference in social class between them.
  • Grace Turner, Robbie’s mother, is the cleaning lady for the Tallises and cannot afford to send her son to university.
Jack's financial support

Jack's financial support

  • Robbie needs the considerable financial support given to him by Jack Tallis to entertain the idea of studying Medicine.
  • Emily Tallis refers to her husband’s decision to fund Robbie’s studies as coming from “some levelling principle” (p151) whereby he wants to allow Robbie the opportunity to bridge the strict class divide which existed in English society at that time.
Emily's class snobbery

Emily's class snobbery

  • Emily considers her husband’s charitable behaviour as “meddling” (p151), suggesting that she is sceptical of this small challenge to the English social order.
  • She sees Robbie’s “elevation” (p152) in status as being “unfair” to her children, despite their being born into a life of privilege.
  • Emily’s class snobbery is also seen in the description of her treating the police officers as “menials” (p178).

Social Class: Class Prejudice & 'Old' vs 'New' Money

The suspicion which falls on Danny Hardman and Robbie can be seen as a reflection of class prejudice and the association of the lower classes with crime and immorality.

Robbie's obscenity & 'ingratitude'

Robbie's obscenity & 'ingratitude'

  • Robbie’s use of an obscenity in his note to Cecilia is read as an indicator of his probable guilt.
  • Young Briony is outraged at Robbie’s ingratitude: “They had provided for all manner of pleasant things for him, the Tallis family…” (p158).
Tension: old vs new money

Tension: old vs new money

  • The tension between ‘old money’ and ‘new money’ is also explored in the relationship between the Tallises and Paul Marshall.
  • ‘Old money’, as represented by the Tallis family, often looked down on the ‘new money’ being made from manufacturing families such as the Marshalls.
Presentation of Paul Marshall

Presentation of Paul Marshall

  • Paul Marshall, “the chocolate millionaire” (p26), is initially a rather comic figure, represented as being rather vulgar in the way he likes to brag about himself and his wealth.
  • The “gold case” (p175) from which he offers the police inspectors a cigarette is a sign of his ostentatiousness (i.e. willingness to make a public display of his wealth), as is his overly generous tip of five pounds that he gives to Danny Hardman.
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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 Social Class

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What is the status of the Tallis family?True / false
  2. 2
    What job does Grace Turner do for the Tallises?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    How is Paul Marshall described?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What are some signs of Paul Marshall's showy nature? Fill in the list
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London, 1940

The Role of Women in the 1930/40s