Discussion Topic
Cecilia's role and characteristics in Ian McEwan's "Atonement"
Summary:
Cecilia is a central character in Ian McEwan's Atonement, portrayed as intelligent, strong-willed, and emotionally complex. She evolves from a somewhat detached and privileged young woman into a deeply committed and loving partner, especially towards Robbie. Her journey reflects themes of love, loss, and the quest for redemption, significantly impacting the novel's narrative and emotional depth.
What are Cecilia's characteristics in "Atonement"?
At the beginning of the novel 'Atonement' Cecilia is rather sketchily drawn in terms of personality - this may or may not be deliberate on the part of the writer Ian McKewan. He may be trying to paint her as rather feckless and flighty - a privileged but empty-headed girl who aims to while away her summer vacation at her parents expense at their house in the country. On the other hand, it could be the author failing to develop the character properly - there seems to be a huge chasm for Cecilia to cross into her new territory of falling in love with the man of her dreams and having the commitment to stick by him later in the book. She is obviously a flirty and passionate character who eventually owns up to her attraction to Robbie.
Cecilia is the oldest daughter of the family, and she is going...
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to college at the time of the opening scenes of the story. She is back home at for the summer break, and feeling a lot of discontent and restlessness, but not sure why. She has felt uncomfortable and ill at ease at home, and so is snippy and irritable, especially with Robbie. She isn't quite sure why she feels this way towards Robbie, but it becomes clear to her after the fountain incident and the misguided note that he sends to her.
As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that she is a very passionate person; she vigorously defends Robbie and disowns her entire family after they refuse to support him in the trials. She defends her love for Robbie, showing even more passion on that front. She is bitter and resentful to her family, and fiercely independent. After she rejects her family, she moves out, refuses money from them, and makes her own way in the world through her own hard work.
I hope that those thoughts help you on the character of Cecilia. For themes, try submitting a separate question, as the format of this website allows for one a day. Good luck!
What role does Cecilia play in Ian McEwan's Atonement?
In Ian McEwan’s Atonement, Cecilia is presented as a foil to her sister, Briony, though she is often present only in the background of the action. Let’s look at this in more detail.
Cecilia is several years older than Briony and much more mature. Cecilia and Robbie have recently discovered their love for each other, but the intensity of their feelings and actions frightens Briony. We also get the idea that Briony is somewhat jealous of her older sister and perhaps attracted to Robbie as well. This may be part of the reason Briony accuses Robbie of raping Lola.
As the novel progresses, Cecilia becomes a source of stability for Robbie during his time in prison and in the war. She provides him with hope and light and love from afar. Cecilia, however, wants little to do with her family for their abandonment of Robbie. She fully believes in Robbie’s innocence.
We can see, then, how Cecilia is a foil, an opposite, of her sister, who tends to be rather unstable and unable to tell the difference between reality and imagination. Cecilia understands reality, and even though she operates mostly in the background, she is a stable person who offers a firm foundation for the man she loves.