ATONEMENT, COLLECTION OF SAMPLE ESSAYS
“Emily’s migraine is described as a creature. Identify the way in which the ‘creature’ is
described and comment on the language and the tone. What is its significance in terms of
the issues and concerns in the novel? “
In Chapter 6, readers are introduced to Emily Tallis, the only present parental figure in the
house, that is ironically absent, plagued by the “knifing pains” of her chronic migraines,
stricken and bed-ridden for the better part of the novel.
She curiously characterises her migraines as her “animal tormentor”, using animalistic
imagery to describe them as “black furred” and something which “bore no malice… it was
indifferent to her misery”, comparing them to a “caged panther” and thus creating a
predatorial, hostile image. She further comments on their vicious nature by linking her
migraines to “knives…poised above her optic nerve”, conveying her “fearful” and cautious
approach to combatting their presence.
One might argue that she uses her pain as an excuse to passively make her way through
motherhood, retreating to her room as a preemptive action to prevent her alleged suffering,
thus saving her from partaking in the maternal duties of bathing her nephews or spending
time with her daughters. She “strains” to listen to the sounds of the house, allowing her
imagination to overtake reality, similarly to Briony; she is therefore portrayed as self-
indulgent, using her assumptions to piece together the fragmented puzzle of information
she hears, leading to an incomplete and unreal impression that sways from the truth. The
danger in her lacking of senses and her overdependence on her hearing allows her to add
onto things she hears, her practiced ear becoming capable of morphing scraps of
information into her own version of the truth. This further links her to Briony in that they
both lack a crucial sensory skill- Emily Tallis’s vision is impaired while her hearing is
sharpened, and Briony’s lack of hearing is compensated by her augmented, panoramic
vision. As a result, Emily Tallis misinterprets Paul Marshall’s inappropriate and pedophilic
behaviour as a kindness to her children, and Briony concludes that Cecilia and Robbie are
having an affair. In their minds “it all made perfect sense”; McEwan therefore comments on
the fundamental importance of perspective, and the detrimental consequences of
misunderstandings.
Moreover, the ”absent mother” status of Emily Tallis is mirrored through the presentation
of her room, which has become an extension of herself, and lends itself to the isolated,
distanced tone of the chapter. Dark, brooding and foreboding, the cavernous image of the
room creates a sense of ominousness, portraying its inhabitant as almost ghost-like, bat-like
and immobile. The oppressive nature of the room additionally translates into the neglectful
personality of Emily Tallis, allowing her to be characterised by selfishness and inertia.
While her migraines are not described as a “monster”, the alternate use of the word
“creature” can be interpreted from a dual perspective. On the one hand, readers do
understand the unpredictable nature of her migraines, sometimes benign and others
painful, pitying and thus worrying about her since she is left alone in the house, abandoned
by her husband. On the other hand, the concept of the migraines can be interpreted as a
, symbol of the capabilities of the mind, sometimes invigorating and others incredibly
destructive and detrimental. The “creature” of Emily Tallis’ mind, is thus associated with her
ability to build a narrative out of minimal information, connecting bits and pieces until a
completed, albeit subjective and disjointed, version of the truth is created. Similarly,
Briony’s mind is her own creature, which she also uses to mold and twist what she sees into
a version which best satisfies her imagination. Through this, McEwan implicitly warns the
readers about the dangers and pleasures of our own “creatures”, highlighting the
importance of the whole objective truth and urging readers to understand the threats and
risks of assumptions.
Finally, the description of the migraines can arguably create a villainous, ill-omened
atmosphere around the character of Emily Tallis. As the only parent on the premises, she
abandons her motherly post, choosing to retreat to her room instead of prioritise the care
of the children. While this is excused by her pain, it is not justified since she leaves Lola
exposed to Paul Marshall, Cecilia vulnerable and with no one to turn to after her interaction
with Robbie, and Briony susceptible to the dangers of her wild imagination. The unravelling
plot can therefore be traced back to the absence of a parental figure to enforce order and
protect the children, arguably making Emily Tallis responsible for the downfall of the girls of
the book: Lola, Cecilia and Briony. To an extent, she can even be seen as the antagonist of
the novel; her absent presence and passive outlook on her responsibilities exposes the
children to Paul Marshall, who could have otherwise been deterred by the existence of an
adult. Her unfit maternal character can also be traced to Briony’s unhinged obsession with
control and her underdeveloped way of thinking, since she cannot confide in or be guided
by her mother. Cecilia is also forced to grow up too quickly, adopting the role of a caregiver
for her mother and a mother for Briony, causing her to be insufficiently prepared for the
dangers of the world, and ill-advised on how to best deal with Robbie. This can all be linked
back to the “creature” of Emily Tallis’ migraines, which can therefore be blamed for the
hardships and sufferings endured in the novel.
Overall, the vivid and visceral description of the “creature” that represents Emily Tallis’
plagued mind effectively urges readers to reflect and consider the multiple and varying
perspectives in the novel.
“Emily’s migraine is described as a creature. Identify the way in which the ‘creature’ is
described and comment on the language and the tone. What is its significance in terms of
the issues and concerns in the novel? “
In Chapter 6, readers are introduced to Emily Tallis, the only present parental figure in the
house, that is ironically absent, plagued by the “knifing pains” of her chronic migraines,
stricken and bed-ridden for the better part of the novel.
She curiously characterises her migraines as her “animal tormentor”, using animalistic
imagery to describe them as “black furred” and something which “bore no malice… it was
indifferent to her misery”, comparing them to a “caged panther” and thus creating a
predatorial, hostile image. She further comments on their vicious nature by linking her
migraines to “knives…poised above her optic nerve”, conveying her “fearful” and cautious
approach to combatting their presence.
One might argue that she uses her pain as an excuse to passively make her way through
motherhood, retreating to her room as a preemptive action to prevent her alleged suffering,
thus saving her from partaking in the maternal duties of bathing her nephews or spending
time with her daughters. She “strains” to listen to the sounds of the house, allowing her
imagination to overtake reality, similarly to Briony; she is therefore portrayed as self-
indulgent, using her assumptions to piece together the fragmented puzzle of information
she hears, leading to an incomplete and unreal impression that sways from the truth. The
danger in her lacking of senses and her overdependence on her hearing allows her to add
onto things she hears, her practiced ear becoming capable of morphing scraps of
information into her own version of the truth. This further links her to Briony in that they
both lack a crucial sensory skill- Emily Tallis’s vision is impaired while her hearing is
sharpened, and Briony’s lack of hearing is compensated by her augmented, panoramic
vision. As a result, Emily Tallis misinterprets Paul Marshall’s inappropriate and pedophilic
behaviour as a kindness to her children, and Briony concludes that Cecilia and Robbie are
having an affair. In their minds “it all made perfect sense”; McEwan therefore comments on
the fundamental importance of perspective, and the detrimental consequences of
misunderstandings.
Moreover, the ”absent mother” status of Emily Tallis is mirrored through the presentation
of her room, which has become an extension of herself, and lends itself to the isolated,
distanced tone of the chapter. Dark, brooding and foreboding, the cavernous image of the
room creates a sense of ominousness, portraying its inhabitant as almost ghost-like, bat-like
and immobile. The oppressive nature of the room additionally translates into the neglectful
personality of Emily Tallis, allowing her to be characterised by selfishness and inertia.
While her migraines are not described as a “monster”, the alternate use of the word
“creature” can be interpreted from a dual perspective. On the one hand, readers do
understand the unpredictable nature of her migraines, sometimes benign and others
painful, pitying and thus worrying about her since she is left alone in the house, abandoned
by her husband. On the other hand, the concept of the migraines can be interpreted as a
, symbol of the capabilities of the mind, sometimes invigorating and others incredibly
destructive and detrimental. The “creature” of Emily Tallis’ mind, is thus associated with her
ability to build a narrative out of minimal information, connecting bits and pieces until a
completed, albeit subjective and disjointed, version of the truth is created. Similarly,
Briony’s mind is her own creature, which she also uses to mold and twist what she sees into
a version which best satisfies her imagination. Through this, McEwan implicitly warns the
readers about the dangers and pleasures of our own “creatures”, highlighting the
importance of the whole objective truth and urging readers to understand the threats and
risks of assumptions.
Finally, the description of the migraines can arguably create a villainous, ill-omened
atmosphere around the character of Emily Tallis. As the only parent on the premises, she
abandons her motherly post, choosing to retreat to her room instead of prioritise the care
of the children. While this is excused by her pain, it is not justified since she leaves Lola
exposed to Paul Marshall, Cecilia vulnerable and with no one to turn to after her interaction
with Robbie, and Briony susceptible to the dangers of her wild imagination. The unravelling
plot can therefore be traced back to the absence of a parental figure to enforce order and
protect the children, arguably making Emily Tallis responsible for the downfall of the girls of
the book: Lola, Cecilia and Briony. To an extent, she can even be seen as the antagonist of
the novel; her absent presence and passive outlook on her responsibilities exposes the
children to Paul Marshall, who could have otherwise been deterred by the existence of an
adult. Her unfit maternal character can also be traced to Briony’s unhinged obsession with
control and her underdeveloped way of thinking, since she cannot confide in or be guided
by her mother. Cecilia is also forced to grow up too quickly, adopting the role of a caregiver
for her mother and a mother for Briony, causing her to be insufficiently prepared for the
dangers of the world, and ill-advised on how to best deal with Robbie. This can all be linked
back to the “creature” of Emily Tallis’ migraines, which can therefore be blamed for the
hardships and sufferings endured in the novel.
Overall, the vivid and visceral description of the “creature” that represents Emily Tallis’
plagued mind effectively urges readers to reflect and consider the multiple and varying
perspectives in the novel.
