Entry 4: Further forms of comprehension

A prominent theme in Atonement that I have found to be significantly developing so far is basically Expectation VS. Reality. Robbie’s arrest brings Cecelia to leave her family with almost no communication at all. She has been so disappointed and disgusted with her family that she has basically nothing. She has lost that zest of character that was so prominent in the first part of the story. Her character is so lost without love, and I find it extremely frustrating myself. She has no desire or ambition anymore, especially with her awkward meeting with Robbie. It frustrates me how she fails to go after what she had wanted. This first example of Expectation VS. Reality was Cecelia and her frustration with her family. It basically proves that she was expecting that they stand up for him, since they had known him for so long. Robbie was arrested with no hesitation or investigation. This would also lead to the exploration of Subjective VS. Objective, and misinterpretation. A lot of the story is a failure to properly comprehend the real world. Cecelia has failed to understand that she needs her family, and she is too caught up in her “love” for Robbie that she doesn’t even talk to them anymore. I believe that their love wasn’t meant to be, and since they were so young, they were just caught up in the passion. Another example of this is when Robbie contemplates why Briony had denounced him. He takes it as when she had a school girl crush on him, she felt betrayed when she went with Cecelia. I find myself extremely frustrated with the huge misunderstandings, but I also enjoy the examination of the cognitive process of the characters in their pensive state. Their thoughts are revealed through letters and flashbacks, which are a great way of showing.

One thing that has changed a lot is the setting. It is extremely different from the preceding section. It has changed from the peaceful Tallis residence to the horrors of war. I believe that this foreshadows an upcoming tragedy.

1. This has a huge emphasis of the study of the subconscious done by Sigmund Frued. I felt that this was a hugely important theme, as it was mentioned sometimes, and hugely insinuated throughout several events. There were many demonstrations of defense mechanisms of the subconscious, especially with Briony's lie to the police. Another example was when Cecelia projects her rage and loneliness to seclude herself from her family. This separation and neglecting of her family is prominent in the second section, as she is so angered by their role in Robbie's arrest she chooses to be alone. Another picture I have is of the scene in V for Vendetta where Evey finally has an epiphany in the rain. The rain represents cleansing, which I find significant to Briony's attempt at atonement. There is also a picture of Robbie resting and thinking from the movie, which is the closing scene in the section. This is hugely significant to me because I feel like this serves as a closing to Robbie's character, as he is reflecting back on his life. I predict that he may die. The song I chose, Hero, by Regina Spektor, has some significant lyrics. One line says, "we're going to these meetings, but we're not doing any meeting." I found this similar to the story when Robbie and Cecelia have an awkward meeting, but fail to reignite that passion that once was. Also, there are some implications of rejection and an attempt for domination and anger.