Briony’s literary ambition C1
“Two-day tempest”
Arabella C1
Sufferers from cholera, briny might have meant consumption which is more commonly used as an illness in melodrama as it has romantic associations (pale skin, rosy cheeks)
Briony’s life C1
Mundane, no real intrigues. So she decides to fashion her own
Briony’s irony C1
She did not have it in her to be cruel
She might not be wittily cruel, but she causes chaos and disorder though her desire to appear important and helpful
Cheaper 2chapter
Cecilia’s slow descriptive prose contributes to the sluggish air of the hot summer day- she tries it break out of this by running and plunging herself in the cold water, but her slow prose holds her back
Chapter 3
Briony’s fits between childhood and adult hood
One moment she thinks it’s immature to not take care of her room and appearance, the next she’s wiping her hands on her muslin white dress
Chapter 4
Introduction of Paul marshal
Self important, pompous, conceited , speaking at length about his own achievements, especially in trade and commerce, this would have been considered rude
Chapter 5
Divorce was a rare occurrence in 1935 making Lola reluctance to discuss it a reflection of the social stigma at the time
Chapter 6
Emily’s migraines represent more than pain- they reflect moral and emotional paralysis
Incompetence, hears “little squeal of laughter abrubtly smothered” this results in Lola’s injuries- another example of a disastrous misunderstanding
Capterh 7
She would simply wait on the bride, calm and obstinate… dispelled her insignificance” her desire to feel important, calatyst for disaster stubborn
Chapter 8
Robbie’s home is small and cramped in contracts to the open spaces of the garden and Tallis house-emphasising the class divide
- as he walks to Tallis house, he reflects on the future he sees for himself as a successful doctor- pathos, sympathetic as he will not get to enjoy his future
Robbie transcends social class, literally “moving freely between the bungalow and the main house”
Chapter 9
Emily tallis’ interference in the kitchen reduced better to “fury” foregrounding her ineptitude as matriarch of the house
