There are two key events which occur in 'Atonement'
The false rape accusation of Robbie by Briony
Briony's revelation of the truth at the end of the novel
The false rape accusation of Robbie by Briony
This moment is crucial to the novel as it is the catalyst for all events which follow and ultimately alters the lives of all characters involved. For Robbie the accusation has a particularly cruel consequence. He is convicted and sent to jail for a crime he did not commit. He is later given the choice between staying in jail or serving his country in the army. At this point World War Two has erupted and Robbie is sent to Dunkirk in France. Here he develops blood poisoning in a wound he has suffered and dies just as he is to be evacuated back to England.
The initial accusation by Briony is fraught with doubt. She does not actually see the attacker of her cousin Lola but assumes it was Robbie. Prior to Lola's rape Briony misinterpreted a number of events. Firstly the fountain scene where she imagined Robbie had ordered her sister Cecilia to jump into the fountain in their garden. In fact Cecilia had jumped in voluntarily to retrieve part of a vase Robbie had broken. The second event which adds to her suspicion of Robbie is when she reads a rather indecent letter from Robbie to Cecilia. The letter detailed Robbie's lust for Cecilia. Briony lables Robbie in a discussion with Lola as a "sex maniac". Later when she encounters Robbie and Cecilia making love in the library she believes her sister is being "attacked". These three events lead Briony to dramatise the situation, Robbie fits her idea of the "evil villain" and so she is sure it is him. Despite not seeing Robbie she tells the police "I know it was him. I saw him". Lola tells Briony that she cannot say for sure who it was but Briony insists that it was Robbie.
Significance
This moment is of immense importance. Not only is it the catalyst for all following events it also portrays the key theme of the novel - the destructive power of imagination and the idea of guilt and atonement.
Briony's revelation of the truth
At the end of the novel Briony is an elderly woman of 77. She is a successful novelist and is being interviewed for her latest book called "Atonement". At this point readers realise that the book they have been reading is actually the same book Briony has written about her life and that of Robbie and Cecilia - she is the narrator! Briony reveals in the interview the truth about what happened to Robbie and Cecilia. She explains how both died during the war and she never actually saw them to ask for forgiveness. Briony has spent her whole life trying to atone for her actions and the publishing of her book is her final act. In writing the book Briony feels she has given her sister and Robbie the happy ending they never had and immortalised their love. She also realises that she can never make up for causing their death but at least she has tried. She states "it was always an impossible task". Briony is also suffering from Vascular Dementia which will eventually cause her to lose her memory, speech and ability to write. This is almost divine justice one might say for the damage she has caused.
Significance
As the event above this moment helps emphasise the destructive power of imagination and the idea of guilt and atonement. Readers finally see the true consequences of Briony's lie and are left to question the extent of her guilt. The revelation that Briony is the narrator of the novel is crucial as this changes the perception and credibility of what has been written. Briony as the narrator has manipulated readers reactions and it is unclear as to what exactly was the truth. The shocking news that both Robbie and Cecilia died in the war changes readers view of Briony completely. Previously one could forgive Briony for her childish actions, however once the serious consequences of her lie have been exposed readers are far more likely to dislike Briony's character and be much more unwilling to feel any sympathy for the sacrifices she has made in order to atone. The idea of guilt and atonement is made clear at this point as it is obvious Briony has dedicated much of her life to the writing of this book - she tells the interviewer "my 59 year assignment is over".
The false rape accusation of Robbie by Briony
This moment is crucial to the novel as it is the catalyst for all events which follow and ultimately alters the lives of all characters involved. For Robbie the accusation has a particularly cruel consequence. He is convicted and sent to jail for a crime he did not commit. He is later given the choice between staying in jail or serving his country in the army. At this point World War Two has erupted and Robbie is sent to Dunkirk in France. Here he develops blood poisoning in a wound he has suffered and dies just as he is to be evacuated back to England.
The initial accusation by Briony is fraught with doubt. She does not actually see the attacker of her cousin Lola but assumes it was Robbie. Prior to Lola's rape Briony misinterpreted a number of events. Firstly the fountain scene where she imagined Robbie had ordered her sister Cecilia to jump into the fountain in their garden. In fact Cecilia had jumped in voluntarily to retrieve part of a vase Robbie had broken. The second event which adds to her suspicion of Robbie is when she reads a rather indecent letter from Robbie to Cecilia. The letter detailed Robbie's lust for Cecilia. Briony lables Robbie in a discussion with Lola as a "sex maniac". Later when she encounters Robbie and Cecilia making love in the library she believes her sister is being "attacked". These three events lead Briony to dramatise the situation, Robbie fits her idea of the "evil villain" and so she is sure it is him. Despite not seeing Robbie she tells the police "I know it was him. I saw him". Lola tells Briony that she cannot say for sure who it was but Briony insists that it was Robbie.
Significance
This moment is of immense importance. Not only is it the catalyst for all following events it also portrays the key theme of the novel - the destructive power of imagination and the idea of guilt and atonement.
Briony's revelation of the truth
At the end of the novel Briony is an elderly woman of 77. She is a successful novelist and is being interviewed for her latest book called "Atonement". At this point readers realise that the book they have been reading is actually the same book Briony has written about her life and that of Robbie and Cecilia - she is the narrator! Briony reveals in the interview the truth about what happened to Robbie and Cecilia. She explains how both died during the war and she never actually saw them to ask for forgiveness. Briony has spent her whole life trying to atone for her actions and the publishing of her book is her final act. In writing the book Briony feels she has given her sister and Robbie the happy ending they never had and immortalised their love. She also realises that she can never make up for causing their death but at least she has tried. She states "it was always an impossible task". Briony is also suffering from Vascular Dementia which will eventually cause her to lose her memory, speech and ability to write. This is almost divine justice one might say for the damage she has caused.
Significance
As the event above this moment helps emphasise the destructive power of imagination and the idea of guilt and atonement. Readers finally see the true consequences of Briony's lie and are left to question the extent of her guilt. The revelation that Briony is the narrator of the novel is crucial as this changes the perception and credibility of what has been written. Briony as the narrator has manipulated readers reactions and it is unclear as to what exactly was the truth. The shocking news that both Robbie and Cecilia died in the war changes readers view of Briony completely. Previously one could forgive Briony for her childish actions, however once the serious consequences of her lie have been exposed readers are far more likely to dislike Briony's character and be much more unwilling to feel any sympathy for the sacrifices she has made in order to atone. The idea of guilt and atonement is made clear at this point as it is obvious Briony has dedicated much of her life to the writing of this book - she tells the interviewer "my 59 year assignment is over".