Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/10-2-2-feminist-readings-gender-roles-and-stereotypes [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA A Level Atonement - Specification B](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b.md) › Feminist Readings: Gender Roles & Stereotypes # Feminist Readings: Gender Roles & Stereotypes English Lit: AQA A Level Atonement - Specification B, topic 10.2.2 ## Gender Roles & Stereotypes in *Atonement* The characters in Briony's childhood stories seem to conform to conventional gender roles. Robbie is portrayed as a hero throughout *Atonement*. Portraying Cecilia and Briony as nurses seems to conform to conventional images of female carers. ### Confirming to gender roles ![Confirming to gender roles](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-02/0d8ec4cf-e615-463f-85b7-e0fb78abaad8/crown-macbeth-.jpg) - Briony’s childhood stories are centred around characters who strongly conform to the gender roles prevalent in children’s fiction of the era. - Her heroines tend to be princesses whose stories end happily in marriage. They also tend to be rather passive figures while the male heroes are depicted as saviours: Arabella is **“bed-bound”** (p3) after contracting cholera when she is brought back to health by her **“medical prince”** and another princess is saved from drowning by a **“humble woodcutter”** (p38). ### Briony acting out fantasies ![Briony acting out fantasies](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/47105b01-2d9c-4e95-a8e9-251363103057/sword-armour-knight-.jpg) - Briony even tries to make these fantasies a reality, deliberately falling into a pool to force Robbie into the role of saviour and to allow her to adopt the role of rescued maiden who swears her **“love”** for her knight in shining armour. ### Comparing presentation of gender ![Comparing presentation of gender](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/9b9d633f-882e-464e-83ab-199a84e9007c/gender-312411_1280.png) - In Part Four, we learn that an older Briony is the ‘true’ author of the novel we have been reading. We're invited to compare younger Briony’s assumptions of how men and women should behave with older Briony’s representation of gender. - E.g. you could argue that even the older Briony continues to depict Robbie as a hero. We see him in the role of rescuer when he leads the twins back to the Tallis household the morning after they have run away and the Robbie of Part Two is portrayed as a leader, entrusted by Mace and Nettle to guide them safely to Dunkirk. ### Is Briony distorting reality? ![Is Briony distorting reality?](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/4ad0ef15-9c17-4487-bfb9-7764e244b48f/spartan-brave-hero-.jpg) - Readers should perhaps consider whether Briony is distorting reality by portraying Robbie as such a noble and heroic figure. - Can her depiction of Robbie be trusted, or is it too close to the fairy tale heroes she fantasised about as a child? - Has she created an idealised version of Robbie as a way of atoning for her **“crime”** against him? ### Conventional female carers ![Conventional female carers](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-09/1079c311-c8d8-4fce-b577-64072e387c15/nurse-1662618_1280.png) - The portrayal of Briony and Cecilia as nurses may be seen as a conventional representation of women as carers. - There is a clear gender divide in Briony’s hospital, with men as doctors (or soldiers) and women as nurses. At various times, Briony adopts the role of mother (**“she cradled their filthy heads against her apron”**) or sweetheart (playing along with Luc Cornet’s notion that she is a girl from his village in order to provide comfort in his final moments). ### Strength of female nurses ![Strength of female nurses](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/37fcd722-d855-4782-b566-3eeb736e88f1/stressed-woman-stressing.jpg) - However, the role of nurse is shown to be physically demanding and emotionally gruelling, requiring great reserves of inner strength. - Briony is described as developing an **“impersonal tenderness”** which means that she could **“do her work efficiently”** (p304), demonstrating the ability to detach herself emotionally from her patients. ## Test yourself on Feminist Readings: Gender Roles & Stereotypes - Which characters does Briony create in line with conventional presentations of gender? - How does the older Briony portay Robbie as a hero in her narrative? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/fa4dbdaf-d27d-4d2f-93ef-641b1f8a7cc1/section/caa92f55-331c-4141-a25e-ef4362f7993e/session) - Previous topic: [10.2.1 Introduction to Feminist Literary Criticism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/10-2-1-introduction-to-feminist-literary-criticism.md) - Next topic: [10.2.3 Feminist Readings: Marriage & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/10-2-3-feminist-readings-marriage-and-family.md) ## English Lit: AQA A Level Atonement - Specification B contents ### 1 Introduction to Atonement - 1.1 Introduction & Background to Atonement - [1.1.1 Background to the Author - Ian McEwan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/1-1-1-background-to-the-author-ian-mcewan.md) - [1.1.2 Settings & Historical Context of Atonement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/1-1-2-settings-and-historical-context-of-atonement.md) - [1.1.3 Social Issues Raised in Atonement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/1-1-3-social-issues-raised-in-atonement.md) - 1.2 Focus of Your Exam: Crime Texts - [1.2.1 Atonement as a Crime Text](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/1-2-1-atonement-as-a-crime-text.md) ### 2 Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part One - 2.1 Chapter 1 - [2.1.1 Chapter 1: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-1-1-chapter-1-key-events.md) - [2.1.2 Chapter 1: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-1-2-chapter-1-key-themes.md) - 2.2 Chapter 2 - [2.2.1 Chapter 2: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-2-1-chapter-2-key-events.md) - [2.2.2 Chapter 2: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-2-2-chapter-2-key-themes.md) - 2.3 Chapter 3 - [2.3.1 Chapter 3: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-3-1-chapter-3-key-events.md) - [2.3.2 Chapter 3: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-3-2-chapter-3-key-themes.md) - 2.4 Chapter 4 - [2.4.1 Chapter 4: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-4-1-chapter-4-key-events.md) - [2.4.2 Chapter 4: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-4-2-chapter-4-key-themes.md) - 2.5 Chapter 5 - [2.5.1 Chapter 5: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-5-1-chapter-5-key-events.md) - [2.5.2 Chapter 5: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-5-2-chapter-5-key-themes.md) - 2.6 Chapter 6 - [2.6.1 Chapter 6: Key Events & Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-6-1-chapter-6-key-events-and-themes.md) - 2.7 Chapter 7 - [2.7.1 Chapter 7: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-7-1-chapter-7-key-events.md) - [2.7.2 Chapter 7: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-7-2-chapter-7-key-themes.md) - 2.8 Chapter 8 - [2.8.1 Chapter 8: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-8-1-chapter-8-key-events.md) - [2.8.2 Chapter 8: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-8-2-chapter-8-key-themes.md) - 2.9 Chapter 9 - [2.9.1 Chapter 9: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-9-1-chapter-9-key-events.md) - [2.9.2 Chapter 9: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-9-2-chapter-9-key-themes.md) - 2.10 Chapter 10 - [2.10.1 Chapter 10: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-10-1-chapter-10-key-events.md) - [2.10.2 Chapter 10: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-10-2-chapter-10-key-themes.md) - 2.11 Chapter 11 - [2.11.1 Chapter 11: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-11-1-chapter-11-key-events.md) - [2.11.2 Chapter 11: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-11-2-chapter-11-key-themes.md) - 2.12 Chapter 12 - [2.12.1 Chapter 12: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-12-1-chapter-12-key-events.md) - [2.12.2 Chapter 12: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-12-2-chapter-12-key-themes.md) - 2.13 Chapter 13 - [2.13.1 Chapter 13: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-13-1-chapter-13-key-events.md) - [2.13.2 Chapter 13: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-13-2-chapter-13-key-themes.md) - 2.14 Chapter 14 - [2.14.1 Chapter 14: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-14-1-chapter-14-key-events.md) - [2.14.2 Chapter 14: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/2-14-2-chapter-14-key-themes.md) ### 3 Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Two - 3.1 Pages 191-201: To the Farmhouse - [3.1.1 Pages 191-201: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-1-1-pages-191-201-key-events.md) - [3.1.2 Pages 191-201: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-1-2-pages-191-201-key-themes.md) - 3.2 Pages 202-213: The Night in the Barn - [3.2.1 Pages 202-213: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-2-1-pages-202-213-key-events.md) - [3.2.2 Pages 202-213: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-2-2-pages-202-213-key-themes.md) - 3.3 Pages 214-226: The Attack - [3.3.1 Pages 214-226: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-3-1-pages-214-226-key-events.md) - [3.3.2 Pages 214-226: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-3-2-pages-214-226-key-themes.md) - 3.4 Pages 226-234: Robbie's Reflections - [3.4.1 Pages 226-234: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-4-1-pages-226-234-key-events.md) - [3.4.2 Pages 226-234: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-4-2-pages-226-234-key-themes.md) - 3.5 Pages 234-246: To the Bridge over the Canal - [3.5.1 Pages 234-246: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-5-1-pages-234-246-key-events.md) - [3.5.2 Pages 234-246: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-5-2-pages-234-246-key-themes.md) - 3.6 Pages 246-254: Arrival at Dunkirk - [3.6.1 Pages 246-254: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-6-1-pages-246-254-key-events.md) - [3.6.2 Pages 246-254: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-6-2-pages-246-254-key-themes.md) - 3.7 Pages 254-265: To the Cellar - [3.7.1 Pages 254-265: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-7-1-pages-254-265-key-events.md) - [3.7.2 Pages 254-265: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/3-7-2-pages-254-265-key-themes.md) ### 4 Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Three - 4.1 Pages 269-277: London, 1940 - [4.1.1 Pages 269-277: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/4-1-1-pages-269-277-key-events.md) - [4.1.2 Pages 269-277: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/4-1-2-pages-269-277-key-themes.md) - 4.2 Pages 277-286: Briony as Writer - [4.2.1 Pages 277-286: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/4-2-1-pages-277-286-key-events.md) - [4.2.2 Pages 277-286: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/4-2-2-pages-277-286-key-themes.md) - 4.3 Pages 287-315: Victims of War - [4.3.1 Pages 287-315: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/4-3-1-pages-287-315-key-events.md) - [4.3.2 Pages 287-315: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/4-3-2-pages-287-315-key-themes.md) - 4.4 Pages 315-327: Lola & Paul Marshall’s Wedding - [4.4.1 Pages 315-327: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/4-4-1-pages-315-327-key-events.md) - [4.4.2 Pages 315-327: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/4-4-2-pages-315-327-key-themes.md) - 4.5 Pages 328-349: The Visit - [4.5.1 Pages 328-349: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/4-5-1-pages-328-349-key-events.md) - [4.5.2 Pages 328-349: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/4-5-2-pages-328-349-key-themes.md) ### 5 Chapter Summaries & Analysis: Part Four - 5.1 Epilogue: London, 1999 - Pages 353-371 - [5.1.1 Pages 353-371: Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/5-1-1-pages-353-371-key-events.md) - [5.1.2 Pages 353-371: Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/5-1-2-pages-353-371-key-themes.md) ### 6 Key Character Profiles - 6.1 Briony Tallis - [6.1.1 Overview of Briony's Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-1-1-overview-of-brionys-character.md) - [6.1.2 Briony in Part One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-1-2-briony-in-part-one.md) - [6.1.3 Briony in Part Three & Four](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-1-3-briony-in-part-three-and-four.md) - 6.2 Robbie Turner - [6.2.1 Overview of Robbie's Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-2-1-overview-of-robbies-character.md) - [6.2.2 Robbie in Part One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-2-2-robbie-in-part-one.md) - [6.2.3 Robbie in Part Two & Three](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-2-3-robbie-in-part-two-and-three.md) - 6.3 Cecilia Tallis - [6.3.1 Cecilia in Part One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-3-1-cecilia-in-part-one.md) - [6.3.2 Cecilia in Part Three](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-3-2-cecilia-in-part-three.md) - 6.4 Lola Quincey - [6.4.1 Overview of Lola Quincey](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-4-1-overview-of-lola-quincey.md) - [6.4.2 Lola Relationship with Marshall](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-4-2-lola-relationship-with-marshall.md) - 6.5 Paul Marshall - [6.5.1 Overview of Paul Marshall](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-5-1-overview-of-paul-marshall.md) - [6.5.2 Paul Marshall's Relationship with Lola](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-5-2-paul-marshalls-relationship-with-lola.md) - [6.5.3 Paul Marshall's Power](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-5-3-paul-marshalls-power.md) - 6.6 Emily Tallis - [6.6.1 Overview of Emily Tallis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-6-1-overview-of-emily-tallis.md) - [6.6.2 Emily Tallis' Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/6-6-2-emily-tallis-character.md) ### 7 Key Themes - 7.1 Introduction to Crime Texts - [7.1.1 Common Themes in Crime Texts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-1-1-common-themes-in-crime-texts.md) - 7.2 Crimes in Atonement - [7.2.1 Crimes in Atonement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-2-1-crimes-in-atonement.md) - [7.2.2 Structural Patterning & Ambiguity in Crime Texts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-2-2-structural-patterning-and-ambiguity-in-crime-texts.md) - 7.3 Criminals in Atonement - [7.3.1 Paul Marshall & Lola as Criminals](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-3-1-paul-marshall-and-lola-as-criminals.md) - [7.3.2 Narrative Point of View in Crime Texts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-3-2-narrative-point-of-view-in-crime-texts.md) - 7.4 Victims in Atonement - [7.4.1 Lola, Robbie & Cecilia as Victims](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-4-1-lola-robbie-and-cecilia-as-victims.md) - [7.4.2 Females Victims & Social Class in Crime Texts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-4-2-females-victims-and-social-class-in-crime-texts.md) - 7.5 Detection in Atonement - [7.5.1 Detection in Atonement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-5-1-detection-in-atonement.md) - [7.5.2 Detection in Crime Texts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-5-2-detection-in-crime-texts.md) - 7.6 Settings in Atonement - [7.6.1 Settings in Atonement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-6-1-settings-in-atonement.md) - [7.6.2 Symbolism of Settings in Crime Texts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-6-2-symbolism-of-settings-in-crime-texts.md) - 7.7 Guilt & Punishment in Atonement - [7.7.1 Marshall & Briony Escaping Punishment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-7-1-marshall-and-briony-escaping-punishment.md) - [7.7.2 Guilt & Punishment in Crime Texts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/7-7-2-guilt-and-punishment-in-crime-texts.md) ### 8 Writing Techniques - 8.1 Structure - [8.1.1 Overview of Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/8-1-1-overview-of-structure.md) - [8.1.2 Metanarrative, Circular Structure & Ending](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/8-1-2-metanarrative-circular-structure-and-ending.md) - [8.1.3 Manipulation of Time](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/8-1-3-manipulation-of-time.md) - 8.2 Form - [8.2.1 Narrative Perspective](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/8-2-1-narrative-perspective.md) - [8.2.2 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/8-2-2-genre.md) - 8.3 Symbols & Motifs - [8.3.1 Symbolism of the Vase & Amo Bar](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/8-3-1-symbolism-of-the-vase-and-amo-bar.md) - 8.4 Language - [8.4.1 Focalising Through Briony & Robbie](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/8-4-1-focalising-through-briony-and-robbie.md) ### 9 Context - 9.1 Historical Context - [9.1.1 The Summer of 1935](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/9-1-1-the-summer-of-1935.md) - [9.1.2 Dunkirk, 1940](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/9-1-2-dunkirk-1940.md) - [9.1.3 London, 1940](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/9-1-3-london-1940.md) - 9.2 Social Context - [9.2.1 Social Class](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/9-2-1-social-class.md) - [9.2.2 The Role of Women in the 1930/40s](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/9-2-2-the-role-of-women-in-the-193040s.md) - 9.3 Literary Context - [9.3.1 Literary Genres & Atonement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/9-3-1-literary-genres-and-atonement.md) ### 10 Critical Debates - 10.1 Marxist Literary Criticism - [10.1.1 Introduction to Marxist Literary Criticism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/10-1-1-introduction-to-marxist-literary-criticism.md) - [10.1.2 Marxist Readings: Importance of Social Class](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/10-1-2-marxist-readings-importance-of-social-class.md) - [10.1.3 Marxist Reading: Capitalist Exploitation & War](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/10-1-3-marxist-reading-capitalist-exploitation-and-war.md) - 10.2 Feminist Literary Criticism - [10.2.1 Introduction to Feminist Literary Criticism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/10-2-1-introduction-to-feminist-literary-criticism.md) - [10.2.2 Feminist Readings: Gender Roles & Stereotypes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/10-2-2-feminist-readings-gender-roles-and-stereotypes.md) - [10.2.3 Feminist Readings: Marriage & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/10-2-3-feminist-readings-marriage-and-family.md) - [10.2.4 Feminist Readings: Male & Female Sexuality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/atonement-specification-b/10-2-4-feminist-readings-male-and-female-sexuality.md)