Themes


 * Forgiveness/Atonement-** For a great portion of the end of the novel, the story focuses on the fact that Briony had wrongly accused Robbie and that she was horribly mistaken. Robbie contemplates forgiving Briony for ruing his life, but he doesn't believe he can bring himself to forgive her. Cecilia, likewise, has cut off all times with her family because they have ruined Robbie's life. Cecilia and Robbie are both unwilling to forgive Briony for her actions and without giving Briony forgiveness, give her small tasks she can do to alleviate her own guilt. The novel, which is entitled //Atonement//, shows the complexity and the difficulty of forgiveness, and what one must do in order to atone one's sins. It explores the struggle that humans go through not only when they are need atonement, but also when they need to give forgiveness.


 * Coming of Age-** In the beginning of the novel, Briony is found in this stage of losing her childhood, and beginning to grow up. However, this process is more greatly defined by the events that unfold: first reading the letter from Robbie; finding Robbie and Cecilia in the library; becoming the sole witness to Lola's rape; and lastly, discovering that she was wrong about her accusations. Briony's character develops throughout the book, initiated by the events that were forced upon her and caused her to lose her sense of innocence. However, Briony really begins to grow up when she realizes her accusations were wrong and that she needs to be atoned for her crime.


 * Enduring Love-** While Robbie is in jail and is away at war, Cecilia constantly tells him that she'll be waiting for him to come back and that she still loves him and misses him. The theme of prevailing love is shown through the persistance of the couple to keep in contact with one another and to not let their love die out. Even though Cecilia and Robbie spend so much time apart, when all is said and done, Cecilia and Robbie still end up together, despite the fears of Robbie never returning or their love not enduring their separation. In this sense, //Atonement// grasps the age-old concept that 'true love' will always 'prevail.'