AQA ENGLISH LITERATURE B - CRIME WRITING ATONEMENT NOTES
Notes on the themes and symbols within the novel.
For example: Uncle Clem's Vase, Childhood and Innocence, Trials of Arabella
Themes/Symbols
Uncle Clem's Vase
Cecilia and Robbieʼs first interaction in the novel occurs while Cecilia is trying to fill a vase with
water from the fountain. The vase has been in the Tallis family since World War I, when Uncle
Clem was gifted it by villagers he helped evacuate. During Cecilia and Robbieʼs interaction, rife
with awkwardness caused by their latent attraction toward one another, the lip of the vase is
broken, though Cecilia is able to repair it. Although they have known each other for most of
their lives, it is only during this exchange that Robbie understands his feelings for Cecilia, and
he writes her a letter that will eventually lead to their lovemaking later that evening. The
breaking of the vase represents the inciting incident of their relationship. However, in Part
Three, Briony tells Cecilia that the Tallis cook broke the vase irreparably. It is later revealed that
this meeting between Briony and Cecilia never happened as Cecilia and Robbie were dead, the
shattered vase symbolising their destroyed relationship.
In the film adaptation of Atonement - Cecilia and Robbie each take a piece of the vase
representing their fractured relationship. Cecilia holds onto the piece of the vase representing
how she holds onto their love when Robbie is at war.
Much of the action in the scene revolves around Cecilia collecting flowers in a valuable
vase that has dramatic family history. The vase has been presented to her father's brother
Clem as a token of gratitude from a French village he helped liberate in the war.
The extensive description makes the chapter move slowly. Time is expended on,
recounting and explaining the smallest details. This contributes to the languid even
sluggish air of the hot summer days. Cecilia tries to break out of this languor herself by
plunging into the water and refreshing the flowers but her slow prose undermines these
attempts.
Later events will make the drama of the vase look absurd as by the end of the book we are
told that the vase is smashed beyond repair by Betty the cook when the house was being
reorganised. In this scene the vase's importance is exaggerated as nothing else is
happening. The incident is slightly surreal and typical of the unexpected and resonant acts
that happen in McEwans novels.
The only event in this chapter is the breaking of the vase. By explaining the vases history
Cecilia gives the vase a mythical status and the build up makes the accident more
dramatic and Cecilia's carefully calculated response milks it for every last bit of impact.
She chooses her actions carefully and we glimpse something of her sister Briory's over
dramatisation.
The Island Property
On the Tallis family property is an island in the middle of a lake, and on that island is a temple.
Though it looks charming from afar, it has been in a state of disrepair for many years. This
temple mirrors the state of the Tallis family at the beginning of the novel. Though they are
relatively well-to-do and may seem happy from afar, in truth they have several problems, such
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