Briony Heroism

The stories main protagonist Briony first came across as being a self-absorbed brat. This impression seemed to be verified when she was more concerned with perfecting her play than her cousins’ unfortunate predicament. However, over time Briony is built upon as a character and is given depth. She is no longer painted as being just egocentric; instead she turns out to be an imaginative yet neglected child. Her father rarely appears in the household because of work. While Brionys’ mother is bedridden for the majority of her life, because she is afraid to venture away from her tranquil dimly lit room. The mother is in constant fear of reoccurring migraines and thus the only connection she has with the family besides the occasional appearance …show more content…
The thought of him rectifying the situation in an act of heroism was simply unthinkable to her. “Denying his help, any possibility of making amends, was his punishment.”p29. Instead she hastily cast aside all of her attire besides her undergarments and proceeded to retreat into the depths of the water for the missing pieces. “He [just] stood with hands on his hips and stared as she climbed into the water in her underwear.”28 At sight of her resurfacing with the pieces Robbie did not dare to offer aid in fear of being further reprimanded. After making her way out of the water Cecilia hastily dressed. She didn’t waste time putting on her shoes instead she scooped them up and carried them under arm for further dramatic effect. With the broken fragments of the vase residing in her pockets, she stormed away bare foot. She intentionally avoided eye contact with her offender during her get away. “He did not exist, he was banished, and this was also the punishment.”29. Cecilia viewed the events that took place as nothing more than an act of defiance towards …show more content…
Through the eyes of the child what appeared to have happened was much different than reality. She witnessed Robbie appearing to give her older sister a command which Cecilia helplessly had no choice but to obey. “It was extraordinary that she was unable to resist him.36 At his insistence she was removing her clothes, and at such speed. She was out of her blouse, now she had let her skirt drop to the ground and was stepping out of it, while he looked on impatiently, hands on hips.”36 Briony attempted to make sense of the strange occurrence she had witnessed. Questioning why her sister would comply with Robbies’ outlandish