The transition from Part I of Atonement to Part II is like taking a bite of a slice of cake just after sampling a different one before; the taste of the previous cake is still present, but the new flavor is much stronger and brings something different to the palette. Ian McEwan's thick and spectacular prose—slice of first cake—is consistent throughout the book, but the perspective presented in Part II—slice of second cake—allows us to truly see the reality and depth of the destruction caused upon Robbie’s life by Briony. McEwan lets us into Robbie’s mind by presenting the readers with his thoughts and experiences in the war and emphasizing his key motivation and reason for survival. Throughout his time in the war, Robbie faces challenges of all sorts, physical, mental, emotional, but regardless, is able to make it through everything with the help of Cecilia—her words and memories of them together.
During the beginning of Robbie’s time in the army, he and Cecilia write each other quite often, though they are not able to express their passionate desires on paper because sensual letters were not allowed. Instead, they use characters from books as codes to say what they needed to say. In a world where they were forced to live separately, these letters are their only means of communication, of hope, and of connection to each other. Their love and desire for each other is clearer now more than ever with Robbie away fighting for his life, paying for a wrongdoing he did not commit so he could return to the life he and Cecilia had envisioned while Cecilia is sacrificing all she had ever known—her family—to stand up and by the man she loved above everyone else.
Though Part II was tough to get through due to its slow progression, it is crucial to not only read, but experience Robbie’s journey with him and McEwan makes that possible with his incredibly knowledgeable, real descriptions of the war. Days that include scenes of terrible deaths, especially those of children, bring Robbie to his lowest and his motivation to continue is sometimes forgotten. That misery is heightened when the post delivery system goes down and he is not able to receive or send letters to Cecilia. Days like these, the potency of the few memories of him and Cecilia together are questioned, but they always manage to restore Robbie’s need to survive so that he could ‘find [her] and love her, marry her, and live without shame.’ The realness of McEwan’s settings, characters and their feelings and struggles allow us to experience the life of his characters with them. It is challenging to remember that Atonement is indeed fiction when so much truth lies in it. The love Robbie and Cecilia have for each other is beyond anything I have ever read. To endure such damage to ones’ life and still be able to continue fighting because of words scribed on a letter and memories is quite hopeful and refreshing.
