The most dangerous line in Atonement is “Her childhood had ended, she decided…” because it is in this moment Briony feels she has entered the adult world. Briony believes herself to have the power that comes with adulthood, but as the readers know, this is not true.The readers are able to differentiate the musings of a foolish girl who believes herself ready to grow up and actual maturity. At the end of this moment, even Briony questions “her own ignorance,” and clearly regrets her misguided thoughts that would led to the ruin of Robbie and the destruction of Robbie’s and Cecilia's love. At the end of Part One, the readers has begun to judge Briony in very harsh manner, forgetting that this book is written in Briony’s point of view. Her narration—constantly
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After seeing an “unspeakable word” and observing a few intimate moments, she has decided she has become a “participant in the drama of the life beyond nursery.” This moment is crucial to the understanding to all her future actions. In her mind she wasn’t a child making bold accusations, instead an adult making reasonable allegations to protect her loved one. We, the readers, see the absurdity in her thought process. Although she was certainly exposed to more events than the average child, it doesn’t make her an adult. Now grown up, narrating the story, Briony realizes how “her own ignorance” has brought the ruin of two lives. By adding a sentence that questions her younger self, it can be inferred Briony sees the error in her actions and thinking. While reading this passage, the readers are easily able to identify the foolish day dreaming of a child who believes herself on the cusp of adulthood, causing the readers to want to shake some sense into her. A person cannot be blamed for what their thoughts because thoughts are unpredictable and uncontrollable, but Brinoy allows the readers to do exactly this. Opening herself up to criticism and harsh judgements on not only her actions, but also her thoughts, it is Briony’s way of asking for
After seeing an “unspeakable word” and observing a few intimate moments, she has decided she has become a “participant in the drama of the life beyond nursery.” This moment is crucial to the understanding to all her future actions. In her mind she wasn’t a child making bold accusations, instead an adult making reasonable allegations to protect her loved one. We, the readers, see the absurdity in her thought process. Although she was certainly exposed to more events than the average child, it doesn’t make her an adult. Now grown up, narrating the story, Briony realizes how “her own ignorance” has brought the ruin of two lives. By adding a sentence that questions her younger self, it can be inferred Briony sees the error in her actions and thinking. While reading this passage, the readers are easily able to identify the foolish day dreaming of a child who believes herself on the cusp of adulthood, causing the readers to want to shake some sense into her. A person cannot be blamed for what their thoughts because thoughts are unpredictable and uncontrollable, but Brinoy allows the readers to do exactly this. Opening herself up to criticism and harsh judgements on not only her actions, but also her thoughts, it is Briony’s way of asking for