Atonement: Writer's Techniques

Atonement: Writer’s Techniques

• Structure: The book Atonement is interestingly structured in three parts, shifting perspectives and time frames which McEwan employs to unveil the story in a non-chronological order, maintaining intrigue and suspense.
• Atmosphere: McEwan masterfully creates both tense and serene atmospheres in Atonement depending on the situation, aiding in setting the mood for the unfolding events.
• Narrative: The narrative of Atonement is subjective, revolving around the individual perspectives of the three main characters which allows McEwan to blurrily distinguish between reality and misconceptions, a key theme in the book.
• Language: In Atonement, McEwan utilises sophisticated language and a focused attention to detail to showcase the character’s personalities and heighten the settings, developing an immersive experience.
• Imagery: McEwan’s rich and detailed imagery in Atonement makes the story more vivid, with the specifics of characters, actions, and settings assisting in portraying the overall themes of guilt, love and war.
• Symbolism: Symbolism is widespread throughout Atonement, with major symbols like the fountain, vase, and letters contributing to the exploration of key themes like innocence, truth, and atonement.