Briony In Atonement

Ian McEwan’s Atonement relates to the character development of well-educated Robbie Turner. Robbie’s character is portrayed as a kind, sympathetic, and patient man. Although McEwan has highlighted Robbie’s strong characteristics; Robbie ends up facing a change within himself that has been helpful or a nuisance. This has also tainted his thoughts of the past, especially the memories that included Briony in them. During the years that Robbie has been away, he has had a lot of time to reminisce over the past that had a good and bad effect on his life. In addition to being sent to jail, Robbie also has to endure trials in the war which both have an effect on his personality and his views of Briony. One main reason for Robbie’s change of personality

Robbie became brave over the years with the help of Cecilia. Robbie’s goal was to “find Cecilia and love her, marry her and live without shame” (McEwan 215). McEwan implied that shame was what was preventing Robbie from marrying Cecilia. Now that he has been gone, he became brave and realized that marrying Cecilia would be his goal. In order to make it through the war, “Robbie, quite naturally placed his faith in his relationship with Cecilia” her words “I’ll wait for you” and the memory of when she had said it” was what kept him motivated (Pastoor 213). The quote demonstrated that Cecilia’s commitment to being there for Robbie had kept him in a positive state of mind and motivated. This encouraged him to strive and continue to stay brave in order to be with Cecilia

His personality changed in not only a good way but a bad way as well. Robbie was sentenced to prison, drafted, and falsely accused by Briony that he had attacked Lola. All of these events had played a role in the growth and change in Robbie’s character. Throughout the five years of being gone, Robbie had a lot of time to not only change, but grow as a person. Although his confidence within himself had diminished, he planned to achieve a new set of goals with Cecilia. Not forgive Briony for what she had done as well as the need to seek revenge on her. One can conclude that Robbie’s character has definitely changed. Although Briony had concocted Robbie and Cecilia’s “happy ending,” she still changed his personality and predicted what his thoughts would’ve been of her if he had lived. That still does not repair any of the damages that were caused by Briony. Robbie was still not able to move on with his life and achieve his personal goals that he set for