Chapter 15
Analysis:
Part two of Atonement mainly describes Turner's experiences during the war. It is written from his point of view, which actually means that Briony wrote down what she thought his thoughts would be. In an attempt to reunite Robbie and Cecilia, Briony wrote a fictional story about them reuniting and loving one another unconditionally. First by casting false accusations she doesn't allow them to see one another and then she feels guilty and seeks atonement through fiction. In her story she describes Robbie returning from war and happily reuniting with Cecilia, the person he loves most in this world. Throughout part two, Cecilia is frequently referred to as the one motivation Robbie still has in his life. "I'll wait for you. Come back" is Cecilia's famous line, which she uses at the end of letters to Robbie. It's clear that towards the conclusion of part two Robbie dies because of his extreme wound. "I promise, you won't hear another word from me" - he states. As revealed later in the novel, Cecilia loses her life because of a bomb that managed to destroy the underground station she was near. In reality, the two of them did not reunite and were unable to continue their relationship.
Summary
Robbie Turner and two corporals are walking through Dunkirk during World War II. During the beginning of the chapter the various objects, including a human leg, they encounter are described. The corporals thought of Robbie as someone form a lower rank, therefore they teased him a lot. At one point they encounter a swarm of bees and run to a farm yard. The woman there refuses to give them food or provide them with shelter, stating that her sons would not like that. Robbie and his men pushed past the woman and entered despite her warnings. The food they receive from her was not in sufficient amounts or quality. After a while her sons arrived. Robbie saw two men standing in the entrance of the barn, holding what appeared to the shot guns.The men told Robbie that they had something for them. At the sounds of this, Turner and his men loaded their guns and waited. One of the French men reached into his pocket and pulled out a loaf of bread along with olives, cheese, tomatoes and ham. "Er, Vive la France."- he stated. The corporals let the French men in and they sat down at the table. Their names were Henri and Jean-Marie Bonnet. Both of them were around the age of fifty. Henri wore glasses, which according to Nettle (one of the corporals) was odd for a farmer. The men raised toasts to French and British armies. Henri and Jean-Marie Bonnet described their experiences so far during the war. They mentioned that some of the bodies they encountered on the road were cut clean in half. They stated that the reason they drove all the way to Arras, was to search for a young cousin and her children. When they reached her house, they found no one there. It had been completely destroyed. Bullet holes all over the walls. Henri explained to corporal Mace the reason why his mom is not fond of soldiers. He said she lost one of her sons during the war and therefore hates all men in the army, regardless of their country. After having eaten together, the men shook hands and the French soldiers were on their way. "We'll be back." - said Robbie in disbelief. After wards they shook hands and were on their way.
- Nice summary. You might talk about the finding the leg thing a little more, since it sets off the tone of Part Two as removed, war reportage-type stuff, but otherwise great. You might take up these ideas in the analysis, as well, though you're definitely right to remind us that, whatever Robbie's dealing with, it's actually Briony imagining that he's dealing with it.