Chapter 11: Key Themes
English Lit: AQA A Level Atonement - Specification B, topic 2.11.2
Key Themes in Chapter 11
We hear Robbie's perspective on his sexual encounter with Cecilia. Lola's injuries are revealed.
Narrative perspective
- After the description of the dinner table and the oppressive atmosphere in the room due to the heat, we look back at the events leading to the sexual encounter in the library from Robbie’s perspective.
Graphic details of love making
- The description of Robbie and Cecilia making love contains graphic detail and a wide range of sensual imagery: “contact of tongues… moist flesh on flesh… strange sound it drew from her…”.
- The violence of the initial flurry of passion soon gives way to more tender passages where time seems to be suspended (“They moved closer, deeper and then, for seconds on end, everything stopped” p137).
Revelation of Lola's injuries
- Lola only reveals her injuries when the twins are absent from the table, a hint that Lola is scapegoating them for something they did not do.
- Significantly, Robbie notices that Marshall is also scratched between his eye and nose (p127).
- Emily’s shock at Lola’s wounds (“How on earth did they do that?”) also suggests the force used during Marshall’s ‘horseplay’ or assault.
Allusion to Twelfth Night
- Robbie recalls a quote spoken by Malvolio in Twelfth Night (“nothing that can be can come between me and the full prospect of my hopes”) in which Malvolio mistakenly states that nothing can prevent him from finding love and happiness with Olivia.
- This allusion acts as a possible foreshadowing of future heartbreak for Robbie.
Test yourself on Chapter 11: Key Themes
Complete the sensual imagery showing Robbie's perspective on the library scene.
Which of these are true of Lola and Marshall's wounds?
How does Emily respond to seeing Lola's wounds?