What is the tone of Atonement by Ian McEwan?

Answer 1

Pensive - McEwan is reflecting on various, highly complex, concepts such as truth, the ability to atone and the extent of an individuals control over their own fate and that of others through the writing and reflections of Briony Tallis.

Answer 2

There are many theme and genre's but here is a summary for you to decide on your own.

It is about and aristocratic family. There are 2 daughters, Ceclilia (Kiera Knightly) and Briony (Saoirse Ronan). Cecilia falls in love with the gardener Robbie (James McAvoy) and they form a secret relationship. Briony finds out about this and almost becomes jealous and confused. She even falsely accuses him of raping one of her friends. Robbie is then sent to war with Cecilia in tears. Cecilia becomes angry with Briony.After many years pass, Briony becomes a nurse at a hospital, and one day decides to go to Cecilia and Robbie to apologize for causing the two lovers to be separated by this lie she told. At the end we find out that Briony becomes a successful book writer, ironically, and wrote a book called "Atonement" about a young girl who sees somthing she is to young to understand and lies about it, causing a chain of unfortunate events. We also find out that Robbie died of a desiese in war and Cecilia drowned in a subway station (water pipe broke). Also we find that the scene in which Briony apologizes to Robbie and Cecilia was all made up for her book and never happened. Because Briony felt very sorry for what she had done, in her book she wrote that Robbie and Cecilia survived and lived a happy life together. Briony gave them there happiness that they so much wanted and deserved, hence the name "Atonement" which means to make up for ones sins or lies. Next time try Wikipedia or IMDb.

Answer 3

The tone of Atonement by Ian McEwan is dark and very dramatic. It deals with understanding and responding to the need for atonement.

Answer 4

There are some things that can never be fixed or repaired, even if you spend a lifetime trying.