Analyzing Briony's 'Atonement'

Plot and Structure

Write a mini paragraph about each of the following parts of the structure of a story:

Exposition

The concept of Atonement is seemingly nonsensical. However, the deeper into the story you go, the more you find out the true meaning. Human intention and how much the truth can do are the backbone of this story. Whether it relates to Briony, Cecilia, Peter, Paul, or even Emily, the truth they hold can show their true intentions. Briony’s true intentions were to protect her sister, however, Peter took it as if Briony wanted revenge for not reciprocating her love for him. “Love” as in the crush Briony had on him years prior.

Complication

Peter Walsh writes a letter to Cecilia Tallis. One letter says that he is sorry for an altercation

She is raped twice. Once Lola is attacked inside the house, she has “Indian burns” on her arms, and scratches on her face. Then a second time outside during the search of the twins. Peter Walsh is accused of the second rape, as no one is aware of the first one. However, Peter never touches her. Peter is only accused because Briony tells Lola that is who attacked her. Paul Marshall is the true attacker. This causes Cecilia’s lover to be sentenced to prison, only out because of being sent to war against his will. This is the main crisis of the novel; in conclusion is Briony’s

The three parts of the story are very important, it leads the reader to a deeper understanding of the characters lives. In part 1 the crime happens, which is the major conflict in the story. In part 2 Peter Walsh is in the War, which leads to character development, setting, irony, and so many more factors to their lives. Then, part 3 seems as if the story is truly ending and no more conflict will happen. Life is as it will be, the wrongs have been made as right as they can. This starts the story, has an action that causes climax, war takes over; however life is still tolerable, then the resolve begins.

Yet still, there is more to come. The reader now finds out that everything they thought is now a lie and their hearts are shattered. The Epilogue explains that Briony has dementia and the reader may not be able to trust her story. She always needed control in part one, why is that different now? Also, she admits that Peter and Cecilia die. They never make it back to each other. Peter died in and Cecilia died in ____. Had the story not been set up in a way to reveal this after the reader thought it was resolved the story would not have had such an impact on the