Atonement Study Guide

Atonement Summary

"Atonement" is a book written in three major parts, with a final denouement from the author.

Part One tells the story of one day/night in 1935 at the Tallis family estate north of London, England. It focuses on Briony Tallis, the thirteen-year-old youngest daughter of three, who aspires to be a writer. She has written a play to be performed at dinner for the homecoming of her brother, Leon, and put on by herself and her three cousins who are staying with the Tallises for the summer because of a divorce between their parents. Before the play can be properly rehearsed, Briony witnesses a scene between her older sister Cecilia and the son of the family charwoman Robbie Turner. What is an innocent act is greatly misunderstood by the young…

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Recent Questions for Atonement

Posted By erica j #306505 at Mar 06, 2013 2:27 PM

What is the Falling action of this story

help

Atonement | Answers: 0

Posted By naomi w #302997 at Feb 20, 2013 7:25 AM

how does atonement show strong female characters?

how does cecelia show her strong charecter when she stands up for robbie and when he goes away and how does briony show her strong charecter when she returns for her atonement?

Atonement | Answers: 1

Posted By Boss #302635 at Feb 19, 2013 8:07 PM

what was Emily Tallis' reaction to Robbie going to Jail?

Immediate and Longterm

Atonement | Answers: 0