The second layer to the guilt theme has to do with the history of literature. Does Briony finally achieve her atonement by writing her story and keeping her lovers and allowing their love to survive? The question is left open at the end of the book. How is it that so many people who are capable of understanding so much more than a thirteen-year-old girl come to rely completely on her testimony? Should more not have been done in the investigation? Then there are all the adults in Part One of the novel. The entire plot of the novel centers on a woman who devotes her entire life repenting a crime she committed while still a young girl.Īrticles of note that are not as obvious to the reader that have to do with this theme are things like, is Briony the only person who should feel guilty? Who else is at fault for the crime committed on that hot summer night in 1935? Where is Lola's guilt for not saying anything? What about Paul Marshall's-the real assailant who gets away with rape and stands silent while an innocent man goes to prison. The theme of guilt, forgiveness, and atonement should be extremely obvious to anyone who reads the book.
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