Message

Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement explores the ways different perspectives of the same event can lead to misunderstandings, and how these misunderstanding can sometimes have tragic consequences that lead to long-lasting guilt. This is seen especially through Briony’s misinterpretation of some of the scenes she witnesses between Robbie and Cecilia. Briony can only interpret the events through her limited perspective. An important message, therefore, could be that people need to understand other perspectives of an event before pronouncing judgement on it.

The novel delves into the idea of atonement and whether it is possible to truly make up for past mistakes. Briony attempts to atone for her past mistakes, even though she knows atonement is not fully possible. Still, she understands the necessity of uncovering and sha...