Judging Lines Between Reality and Imagination in Atonement by Ian McEwan

Judging Lines Between Reality and Imagination in Atonement by Ian McEwan As I read Atonement, by Ian McEwan, on the beach in Long Beach Island I was confronted with a somewhat new style of writing that I did not recognize. The splitting of the novel into three main parts only made sense to me after I had finished it; the account of the crime that took place at the Tallis household, Robbie Turner's adventures at war, and Briony's tales as a nurse were all connected and ended up "coming together" much more smoothly than I had anticipated. The characters Briony, Robbie, Cecilia, and Lola are all faced with very different problems which all have the same fundamental root: the attacks on Lola and the "attack" on Cecilia. Briony is only 13 when the novel begins. She is desperate for attention and lives in her own, dramatic world through writing. "Nothing in her life was sufficiently interesting or shameful to merit hiding; no one knew about the squirrel's skull beneath her bed, but no one wanted to know" (5). Briony's need for attention is not helped by the fact that her mother is usually unavailable due to acute migraines. She does not have the constant love and attention of a mother and both her siblings are grown up and lead their own lives. This leaves Briony as somewhat of an only child and certainly fuels her love for writing and creating her own fantasy worlds. Briony is

  • Word count: 1546
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How does McEwan tell the story in Chapter 12 of Enduring Love

How does McEwan tell the story in Chapter 12? Chapter 12 gives us immense insight into the characters, especially Joe Rose. The chapter opens with Joe reflecting on his “sense of failure”. He reflects upon the fact that he no longer finds comfort in work nor what he did before. He states that “twenty years ago, I may have hired a professional listener” – it is presumed that he is talking about a psychologist or a councilor of some sort. This provides insight to his character and shows that he feels bad enough (or doubtful enough in himself) to deem himself necessary of going to a psychologist for help. It could also be argued that this implies that he has sought this type of help before. Not only does this confirm to the reader his current state of mind, we are shown that he has a track record of mental instability. This possibly puts us off because we are led to once again question his competency as a narrator. The the fact that he has “lost faith” in such work shows us that it may not have helped him in the past, or that he has become more skeptical of it, perhaps due to his scientific nature. Another insight into Joe’s character is given in the line “…close to doubling the speed limit”. Here, McEwan is creating a sense of distress and as an author gives the reader a glimpse into Joe’s current emotions, but also perhaps a sense of recklessness

  • Word count: 1605
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Aspects of Narrative in "Atonement ".

Aspects of Narrative Atonement – Ian McEwan Atonement is set in Surrey, South East England in the summer of 1935, on the grounds of the Tallis family estate. McEwan has set the opening in the summer, possibly to evoke a sense of calmness and composure amongst the characters. We find out relatively early on, that the Tallis family have maids to do the cooking and household chores, as well as a young gardener, who works on the grounds, with some other men. McEwan could be allowing the reader to assume that the Tallis family are fairly wealthy, perhaps illustrating a secure and stable family. Although there is an atmosphere of celebration, along with the arrival of Briony’s cousins, McEwan does hint at signs of distraction, highlighting that not all is as it seems. First of all, the family vase that originally belonged to Cecilia’s Uncle, and has been kept safe within the family’s estate for years, is broken. Secondly, the meal that has been prepared is far too hot for a summer’s day, and thirdly, Briony’s cousins are disappointing actors, who are ruining her play. All these subtle hints of distraction emphasise the hidden cracks within the family, which contrasts significantly to the secure and stable family (portrayed by the families wealthiness) in the opening. This also creates a tense atmosphere. The reader is already waiting for something unexpected to

  • Word count: 927
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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English Literature - Atonement (Essay 1)

By analysing two passages from Atonement, consider ways in which McEwan presents the transition between the child and adult world The prime method by which McEwan presents the transition between the child and adult world in Atonement is through specific focus on the behaviour and motivations of one character, Briony Tallis. Taking a psychological and personal approach, McEwan addresses the complexities of adolescence, "the ill-defined transitional space between the nursery and adult worlds"1, and the various archetypal effects, usually of a sexual nature, that affect a child with little or no experience of adult life. Briony, it would seem, is a character trapped in a bubble, who requires the intervention of internal and external forces in order to break into the world of adulthood. The two passages selected specifically show the distinction - or, indeed, lack of - between child and adult Briony, her coming to being and her realisation of the 'crime' "for which she will spend the rest of her life trying to atone"2. Part One mainly concerns McEwan developing a prevailing aura of obscurity and anticipation, with young Briony having intercepted a vulgar letter that she believes confirms Robbie Turner as a 'maniac'. The Part focuses on two differing viewpoints; those of Briony and the rest of the world; dropping her in solitude. The paradox is that while Briony is attempting to

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How effective is the opening chapter of the Novel "Enduring Love"?

How effective is the opening chapter of the Novel "Enduring Love"? The opening chapter of "Enduring Love" has elements of suspense and tension techniques that is widely explored in the first chapter to effectively grip the reader's attention. The writer explores a theme of cumulative tension that is presented in a series of ways through the language. The effect is further emphasised by the use of metaphors and personification. The writer needs an effective opening chapter to create the enthusiasm for the reader to focus onto the story. In the first part of the chapter a wonderful setting is created to convey the impression of the enjoyment of two lovers spending a picnic "in sunlight under a turkey oak"- the use of pathetic fallacy is introduced to depict the weather for a comfortable atmosphere. The effect of this is to depict the romantic love between the characters that we know is true hence the title "Enduring Love". The romanticism is broken when the narrator describes he "saw the danger"- we gain insight as to what the event happening is because the writer allows the suspense to cumulate throughout bringing the effectiveness of tension. Furthermore the tension effect is emphasised by the characters actions through short, sharp sentences: "I ran faster." The writer is conveying the intensity of the action that it is happening quickly; the simplicity of the syntax

  • Word count: 1509
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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The opening of Enduring Love is very effective for many reasons, such as use of words, the styles and techniques of writing, and themes that are introduced.

The opening of Enduring Love is very effective for many reasons, such as use of words, the styles and techniques of writing, and themes that are introduced. McEwan intentionally places certain phrases throughout the opening that capture a reader and therefore provoking a sense of curiosity in the reader that makes them continue reading. The first example is, "The beginning is simple to mark," which is short and basic, but this allows the reader to wonder what is about to happen. The ideas here are clear and the reader is immediately caught because they are curious to see how these ideas are going to develop. A second example is, "...we heard a man's shout...and saw the danger. Next thing, I was running towards it," and "...- the event I am about to describe, the fall-..." These segments of the opening leaves out who this man actually is, what the "danger" actually is and therefore, what he's running to; readers keep on reading until they get to the point where they find out what the huge event is, which doesn't come until the last few lines of his opening. Lastly, "...the last time I (Joe) understood anything clearly at all," and "Knowing what I know now," shows that the even that the narrator is about to share has to be quite large and by the way that he says these things, the reader can see that it has had a significant impact on Joe; suspense is also created here

  • Word count: 708
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How effective is the opening of ''Enduring Love'' as an introduction to the novel?

How effective are the first six paragraphs of Ian McEwan's Enduring Love as the opening of a novel? In his novel Enduring Love, Ian McEwan introduces the reader to an opening chapter intended to be both evocative and somewhat surreal. The first paragraph opens in a way intended to tantalise the reader with minute details: 'Clarissa was passing me the bottle - a 1987 Daumas Gassac', but which also serves to create a sense of foreboding and an awareness of more significant events to come: 'The beginning is simple to mark'. This preparation for something momentous and of great significance to the man from whose perspective the extract is written is further supplemented by the tentative repetition of 'This was the moment, this was the pinprick on the time map'. The paragraph continues in such a way as to inform the reader of the omniscience of the narrator, and also serves to be demonstrative of the regret felt that he acted as he did: 'What idiocy, to be racing into this story and its labyrinths, sprinting away from our happiness...'. Further consideration of this point indicates that the narrator considers himself to have gone through significant, permanent changes as a result of the events which he so eagerly ran towards, as shown by his observation that 'the transformation was absolute'. The writer also hints at the reason why the protagonist is so eager to assist in what

  • Word count: 1103
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Discuss the usefulness of Dover beach as a key to understanding McEwans aims in Saturday

"DISCUSS THE USEFULNESS OF 'DOVER BEACH' AS A KEY TO UNDERSTANDING MCEWAN'S AIMS IN 'SATURDAY'" While the poem 'Dover Beach', written by Matthew Arnold in 1867, is directly important through its importance to the plot, it also serves a rather less visible but equally important role in hinting at some of the key messages which McEwan conveys in 'Saturday'. As well as proposing some of the central themes of the novel, the use of the poem also introduces arguments and debates to the reader. To understand the relevance of the poem to the destination of the novel, one must first understand the central message of the poem: 'Dover Beach' presents a world where religion is obsolete, where the certainty provided by the religious teachings has been overhauled by scientific and political advances; a world where the only love and trust, which are precarious concepts in themselves, can be relied upon. References to the past ("Sophocles long ago/Heard it on the Ægæan") imply that Arnold feel that this 'eternal note of sadness' has been a long time coming. The overall tone of the poem is similar to that of W. H. Auden's "September 1, 1939": it offers hope to the reader, the possibility of salvation, but it is awash with negativity at the state of affairs, and uncertain about the future of the world. These ideas resonate strongly throughout 'Saturday'. The final scene of the novel shows

  • Word count: 772
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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English Literature - Atonement (Essay 2)

"Atonement offers us no heroes and no villains- only victims" How far, and in what ways, does your reading of Atonement lead you to agree with this view? Atonement conveys a dichotomous message. Ian McEwan - the reality, the tangible author - is supplemented by a deeper layer; his construct - the potentially unreliable narrator - Briony Tallis. Essentially, branding any of the enigmatic individuals offered to us in Atonement as 'heroes' and 'villains' is impossible - and indeed unjust - simply because of the sheer amount of ambiguity and subjectivity involved - "there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so"1. The select tendencies these individuals relay on the other hand is another matter; the notion of 'victimhood' must imply some malicious behaviour beforehand. Taking 'villainy', the Concise Oxford Dictionary, necessarily - though feebly - lists it as a derivative of 'villain'; alluding to it as an individual's moral essence. The Collins Dictionary, on the other hand, defines it as a "vicious behaviour or action"2, supporting the notion that select 'behaviour' and themes are the 'heroes' and 'villains' of the novel. For example, on the surface Briony is a 'villain' whose actions merely generate destruction and deprivation. Yet, the Observer gives the view that "the personal story - especially Briony's childhood 'failure to grasp the simple truth that

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How does McEwan present the Characters of Joe and Parry in the first two chapters of "Enduring Love"?

"Enduring Love" Essay How does McEwan present the Characters of Joe and Parry in the first two chapters of "Enduring Love"? Ian McEwan uses many techniques in order to portray the characters within his novel; we gain knowledge of Joes' character through the narrative. The novel is written in the first person narrative of Joe Rose, his use of language clearly shows that he is well educated through his long descriptive sentences, "My impression was that at the moment of impact the little stick figure flowed or poured outwards across the ground, like a drop of viscous fluid". Another portrayal of his elevated education is in his scientific justifications for the events that occur in life, "We were running towards a catastrophe, which itself was a kind of furnace in whose heat identities and fates would buckle into new shapes". This is very effective, the metaphor of a furnace represents the changing of state, and this is an example of foreshadowing. This narrative effect suggests something will happen further on in the novel. The word buckle suggests an element of pain and that lives will be changed for good against the will of the people involved. This proves that science reflects his background and the nature of his thoughts. We also learn that Joe has a very normal, loving relationship with his wife Clarissa, "...there was nothing that threatened our free and intimate

  • Word count: 1092
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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