Lola Relationship with Marshall
English Lit: AQA A Level Atonement - Specification B, topic 6.4.2
Marshall's Rape of Lola in Atonement
Marshall perhaps senses Lola’s insecurity. He is able to manipulate her easily through the gift of a chocolate bar and with compliments appealing to her desire to appear sophisticated (“You’ve jolly good taste in clothes”).
Lola's response to Robbie
- Lola’s childishness is also seen in the excitement she shares with Briony as they read Robbie’s letter.
- It is she who first uses the term “maniac” to describe Robbie (p119) and it is perhaps significant that this follows Marshall’s possible assault on her earlier which has left her with scratches and bruises, evidence suggesting the use of a restraining force upon her.
Briony's suspicion about consent
- What actually happened between Lola and Paul Marshall is never fully revealed.
- In Part Four, Briony speculates that Lola may have been a willing partner to Marshall and that, rather than it being an assault or rape, it was a consensual act.
- Briony imagines Lola as looking for some form of escape from the “restraints of childhood”. But the act, and the motivations behind it, remain ambiguous.
Evidence for Lola's consent?
- Some readers may think the following things are evidence of Lola's shared responsibility:
- Lola blaming the twins for her injuries;
- Lola allowing Briony to let her imagination run away with itself, choosing not to contradict her when Briony asserts that it was Robbie that she had seen.
Is Lola protecting Marshall?
- Lola's motivation for allowing Briony to accuse Robbie of the sexual assault on her may be to protect Marshall from a criminal justice system which would punish him for having sex with a 15-year-old minor.
- But this is one possible interpretation and we are never entirely clear.
Lola's Marriage to Marshall in Atonement
We can only speculate on the true nature of Lola and Marshall’s marriage.
Ambiguity over marriage & cermony
- We have no way of knowing how much love existed between them or whether the marriage was a way of protecting Marshall from accusation.
- The choice of a private ceremony, away from eyes of the press, suggests that they want as little publicity as possible shone upon their past.
"Mausoleum of truth"
- Briony describes their marriage as a “mausoleum of truth” (p325) in which the secrets of the past are bricked up forever.
- The metaphor suggests that the marriage is a form of living death.
- That Lola is likely to outlive Briony also contributes to the truth remaining hidden: Lola would be likely to take legal action against her if there were any suggestion of her or Marshall’s guilt.
Lola & Marshall's charity
- Lola and Marshall’s charitable foundation may be seen as their own form of atonement for the sins of their past.
"Cruella de Vil" comparison
- In her final description of Lola, Briony likens her to “Cruella de Vil” (p358), a Disney cartoon villain.
- This may suggests that is aware that she is exaggerating her villainy.
- It is perhaps another example of the novel inviting us to question the judgements we have made.
Test yourself on Lola Relationship with Marshall
In which part of the novel does Briony speculate that Lola may have willingly slept with Marshall?
What kind of wedding did Lola and Paul Marshall have?
What metaphor does Briony use to describe Lola and Paul Marshall's marriage?