Emma Kennedy
Mr. Breaton
ENG 4U1
May 25, 2015
Briony Tallis: Winner of Gold Star for Trying
Ian McEwan’s Atonement is an excellent example of the trials of being human. Its characters and themes explore the human condition so well that the reader may forget that they are reading a piece of fiction. Throughout the novel, the actions sway opinions of Briony in different directions, most of them negative. After understanding the postmodern pretzel that is this novel’s plot, it is certain that if nothing else, Briony Tallis is a very determined, dedicated individual in everything she does.
The first instance of Briony’s dedication is her effort put into “The Trials of Arabella”. Briony dedicated the majority of two days so that her play was perfect. “She was one of those children possessed by a desire to have the world just so” (McEwan 4). Briony’s use of time and organizational skills at a young age is something that would benefit all young people. Her commitment to her art and to impressing her brother is admirable.
Briony’s determination did more harm than good in some cases. She convinced Lola at the lake that it was Robbie who had attacked her, “with Briony’s certainty rising whenever her cousin appeared to doubt herself” (McEwan 157). Feigning the self-confidence, thinking she knew what was true while just a young girl led to harsh realizations as she matured. Briony’s strong will became much more of an asset once it was used to redeem the problems it caused in the past.
Being a wartime nurse requires a large amount of determination. Briony cut herself off from her family (McEwan 263) in order to deal with her guilt and try to fix the problems she had caused. She might have thought that having this in common with her sister, Cecilia, would bring them closer, or that Robbie might be one of the soldiers she saves. If she were to save his life, she would be forgiven by him and Cee. Her dedication to her position, despite the unlikelihood of such a scenario, proves to the reader that she has changed to care about more than herself and the attention she receives.
Spending six decades writing a fictional version of Robbie and Cee’s lives is of course Briony’s most significant commitment. “Like policemen in a search team, we go on hands and knees and crawl our way toward the truth” (McEwan 339). Briony, with the help of Cyril Connolly, Mr. Nettle, and her editors, wants to share the truth, that Robbie is innocent, with as many people as possible, regardless of the fact that it will make her look bad. She has had plenty of time to grow, and to realize her errors. All she can do now is try to set the record straight, and she will do it even if the book cannot be published until after she is dead. Fifty-nine years of writing, plus waiting until after her death to publish, is a long time, only to be spent by one who is truly dedicated to their cause of truth telling.
Despite the mistakes she has made, Briony’s determination and dedication are admirable qualities that make her a likeable character. She learns and establishes values as she grows, which is what all humans should strive and struggle to do.
Comment
Christoff: First of all, I’d like to mention how fun it is to read your analysis of Briony’s character while knowing your opinion of the novel (nice author’s note). I strongly agree that Briony plays the hero well, but if only she had waited until she understood the world a bit more. She could have served as a wing-sister and helped the young lovers (as suggested by Cyril Connolly, the possibility of the young girl being a messenger, on page 296)! Although I’m sure that the arrangement would fail before long, Briony would probably say something similar to Hermione Granger’s “I’m not an owl!” line. Overall your piece was very well written. You convinced me that you actually don’t mind Briony, and provided me with other eye-opening details of her character’s complexity.
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