Consider the significances of innocence in Part One of Atonement.

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Consider the significances of innocence in Part One of Atonement.

Innocence can be defined as being pure and lacking corruption, having little knowledge of something’s consequences, and is also used as a euphemism for virginity. McEwan explores innocence as key theme in Atonement throughout Part One, showing how the main characters’ innocence, or lack of, forms the narrative plot.

McEwan creates the nursery setting to represent Lola’s innocence, having Paul Marshall’s intrusion show her vulnerability. Despite ‘the adult she considered herself at heart to be’ McEwan has ‘Lola had come to the nursery that morning’ to show the irony of her desires. Although she is fifteen, McEwan places most of Lola’s acts in the nursery, a room which has strong connotations of being cared for as a young child. This makes it clear to the reader she may not be ready for adult experiences, emphasising her innocence. McEwan creates Paul Marshall to be seemingly pure as he enters the nursery in his ‘white suit’, with Lola’s vulnerability made clear as she thinks ‘a game was being played’ whilst they conversed. However, the trust surrounded with the nursery is broken as he sees ‘that the girl was almost a young woman’ whilst ‘watching her closely’. The reader are led to believe by McEwan that Paul Marshall is caressing Lola, and the description of her ‘unblemished incisors’ highlights this innocence. Through this, McEwan builds sympathy for Lola as the reader begin to question her ability to notice Paul’s intentions. It could be argued that this innocence is a facade: as Lola is first assaulted, McEwan has her ‘seeming to bite’ down a sob, highlighting her ability to appear vulnerable as she simply wants pity from Briony. This is exacerbated when she chooses not to place blame on her attacker, simply telling Briony ‘Yes. It was him.’ By McEwan doing this, the reader is able to question Lola’s ability to understand the consequences of her actions; it is clear to the reader that Briony will blame Robbie as a ‘maniac’ for her assault. It could be argued that Lola has no other choice, with Briony claiming ‘I saw him’; but, it is her innocence which leads her to agree, not knowing the extent of the damage her inability to act will cause. As a result, Lola’s innocence is a significant element to Briony’s crime, with her retraction of the truth only fuelling Briony’s assertions.

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McEwan uses Briony’s reaction to Cecelia’s loss of virginity and her relationship with Robbie to show the significance her lack of innocence plays in the turn of events in Part One. McEwan has Briony describe Robbie’s letter as ‘elemental, brutal’ and ‘some principle of darkness’, yet it is made clear ‘she had never heard the word spoken’ or ‘seen it in print’. Through this, McEwan highlights her vindictiveness - although most thirteen year olds would acknowledge their lack of understanding, the reader is made aware that Briony is ‘disgusted’ by something she doesn’t fully understand. McEwan has Briony describe ...

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This essay has an excellent structure. The introduction is concise, engaging with the question and posing a strong argument. Paragraphs are logically picked, and the signposts are clearly relevant to the question. Opening sentences such as "McEwan has younger Briony’s lack of writing experience show her innocence" are a great way to start paragraphs. It summarises the points, making it clear to the examiner you aren't repeating anything, whilst staying closely focused on the question. The style here is brilliant - there is always a focus on McEwan's constructions, and how he constructs the novel to have a certain response. Phrases such as "therefore" and "as a result" show a clear progression through the argument, and the points follow very clearly. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are flawless.

The analysis in this essay is strong. What I love about this essay is the way everything said has a relevance to the question, and there isn't a point which simply retells the plot. For example the comment "Although she is fifteen, McEwan places most of Lola’s acts in the nursery, a room which has strong connotations of being cared for as a young child" is able to explore the technique concisely. This essay has a sustained focus on the reader response to the text. Examiners are looking for the significances of innocence to the plot, but beyond that the reader and critical responses. Phrases such as "this makes it clear to the reader" and "guides the reader" shows a strong ability to explore interpretations of the texts. Examiners are particularly keen to see interpretations being evaluated. For example "It could be argued that this innocence is a facade" is brilliant, but this essay does not draw upon which arguments are strongest. If I were writing this essay, I would be saying "this argument isn't as strong because" or "although this is one interpretation, it seems weaker because" to ensure the arguments are evaluated.

This essay engages with the task well. I particularly liked how there was an exploration of what innocence means, and this clearly benefits this candidate as the essay becomes focused on the connotations and definition. Having a strong critical voice is essential at A-Level, and by engaging with the key terms in the question, you are showing the examiner you have this skill. There is a sustained focus on McEwan's techniques to present innocence, and further to that a discussion of why innocence is significant. I thought the point about Briony's literary innocence is very sophisticated, and there could've been more exploration of this point. If I were answering this question, I would looking at how McEwan uses older Briony and metafiction to make Briony seem more innocent as a child. Atonement can be a difficult text to analyse, but this essay does it well.