Ian Mcewan's Atonement Literary Analysis

In Ian McEwan’s Atonement, the ending of the novel reveals the differences between Briony Tallis’s literary fictions and reality. In the final section of the book, “London, 1999,” it is revealed to the reader that the entire novel was written by Briony in an attempt to atone for the wrongful accusation that she gave as a child. She aims to do so by coming out with the true story. This can be seen in her earlier statement that “[s]he knew what was required of her. Not simply a letter, but a new draft, an atonement, and she was ready to begin” (McEwan 330). In the last few pages of the novel, it is revealed to the reader that the version of the novel that he or she read was one of many written by Briony in her “fifty-nine-year assignment” (McEwan 349). This suggests that the story was in someway changed between the versions. One such change involves the fate of Cecilia and Robbie. The last time that the reader sees the two is outside the Balham Underground station, and it is assumed that from that point on they live a happy life together, as little is said to counter that idea. However, this …show more content…
While a mouse will simply move on and rebuild it’s home and life after disaster strikes, a human will be left to “backward cast [his or her] e’e / On prospects drear” (line 45-46) and to “guess an’ fear” (line 48) about the future. The idea of a human dwelling on the repercussions of past events can be clearly seen throughout Atonement, as Briony spends her entire life trying to set the record straight regarding her false accusations. Furthermore, Cecilia and Robbie are both left with feelings of hatred towards those that accused Robbie, and both Cecilia and Briony cut off nearly all contact with their families. Overall, this reinforces the idea that one event can cause a lifetime of repercussions in many