Chapter 4
Summary
This chapter is from the perspective of Cecilia. After working on the broken vase, and letting it sit in the sun all afternoon, she deemed it 'repaired', with the only evidence of the accident 3 meandering lines down the side. Outside, she heard soft footsteps, and was angered at the thought of Robbie entering the house. As it turned out, it was Briony, who was on the verge of tears. As she entered the room, Briony headed towards the poster for the Trials of Arabella, and with one swift movement of the hand, she tore her poster off of the easel, and proceeded to trample on it. Briony later told her that she was so upset because her play was the wrong genre, although the audience knows that is not the legitimate reason.
After this encounter, Cecilia proceeded to fill the vase up with water, and arrange the flowers in her style of 'artful disorder'. For a few moments, she pondered on how perfect and clean the room was, but then saw the figures outside the window approaching the house. She was annoyed by Robbie's presence, and went to her room to get a cigarette. She went down the stairs, smoking her cigarette, and thought about how she would never do such a thing if her father were home; it would be improper. Despite her disagreement, she never wanted to be at odds with her father, and so she obeyed when he was home.
Her brother, Leon, as well as Paul Marshall and Danny Hardman entered the house, and she wondered if she would end up marrying Paul Marshall. However, she later begins to wonder if he may like her cousin, Lola, based on his interactions and mannerisms throughout the day. After introductions and small talk, Cecilia tells Marshall that his room is on the second floor. She continues to lead them out to the pool area, where they sit and talk. Marshall takes over the conversation, however, and tells all about his career and life as the developer of the Amo Bar. Quickly, Cecilia loses interest, and begins to reminisce about 'the look' that she and Leon would give to each other to make the other laugh. She gives Leon 'the look', and the conversation quickly changes from serious to informal. Leon tells Cecilia that he invited Robbie to dinner, which angers Cecilia, but she quickly recovers, and suggests that they go inside and have 'fancy drinks'. The chapter closes with the three of them leaving the pool area for the house, and either Marshall or a leaf brushed her arm- she wasn't sure which.
Analysis
Throughout this chapter, the word 'converge' is used three times, as well as the word 'fuse', 'meet', 'join', and other ideas of coming together. This chapter is, essentially, the moment when everyone begins to come together for dinner, and the beginning of the end.
In addition, many scholars argue that Briony's tearing down her poster is the end of her childhood, as well as her childhood writing. At this moment, she has matured into an adult, and will begin to write as an adult. This leads to, well, you know what. If you haven't finished the book, I don't want to give it away, but it is important!
We also begin to develop an opinion about Paul Marshal. "She had noticed him hanging around the children lately. Perhaps he was interested in Lola". He is also described in this chapter has "so nearly handsome, so hugely rich, and so unfathomably stupid". Marshall's character plays a substantial role in the rest of the book, and it is important to see him develop as a character.
- You might give more of an insight into Cecilia's character here. In addition, you could give us further insight into Briony's character, as well, since the chapter is written by her. You might also connect your analysis more fully to the themes of the novel.
This chapter is from the perspective of Cecilia. After working on the broken vase, and letting it sit in the sun all afternoon, she deemed it 'repaired', with the only evidence of the accident 3 meandering lines down the side. Outside, she heard soft footsteps, and was angered at the thought of Robbie entering the house. As it turned out, it was Briony, who was on the verge of tears. As she entered the room, Briony headed towards the poster for the Trials of Arabella, and with one swift movement of the hand, she tore her poster off of the easel, and proceeded to trample on it. Briony later told her that she was so upset because her play was the wrong genre, although the audience knows that is not the legitimate reason.
After this encounter, Cecilia proceeded to fill the vase up with water, and arrange the flowers in her style of 'artful disorder'. For a few moments, she pondered on how perfect and clean the room was, but then saw the figures outside the window approaching the house. She was annoyed by Robbie's presence, and went to her room to get a cigarette. She went down the stairs, smoking her cigarette, and thought about how she would never do such a thing if her father were home; it would be improper. Despite her disagreement, she never wanted to be at odds with her father, and so she obeyed when he was home.
Her brother, Leon, as well as Paul Marshall and Danny Hardman entered the house, and she wondered if she would end up marrying Paul Marshall. However, she later begins to wonder if he may like her cousin, Lola, based on his interactions and mannerisms throughout the day. After introductions and small talk, Cecilia tells Marshall that his room is on the second floor. She continues to lead them out to the pool area, where they sit and talk. Marshall takes over the conversation, however, and tells all about his career and life as the developer of the Amo Bar. Quickly, Cecilia loses interest, and begins to reminisce about 'the look' that she and Leon would give to each other to make the other laugh. She gives Leon 'the look', and the conversation quickly changes from serious to informal. Leon tells Cecilia that he invited Robbie to dinner, which angers Cecilia, but she quickly recovers, and suggests that they go inside and have 'fancy drinks'. The chapter closes with the three of them leaving the pool area for the house, and either Marshall or a leaf brushed her arm- she wasn't sure which.
Analysis
Throughout this chapter, the word 'converge' is used three times, as well as the word 'fuse', 'meet', 'join', and other ideas of coming together. This chapter is, essentially, the moment when everyone begins to come together for dinner, and the beginning of the end.
In addition, many scholars argue that Briony's tearing down her poster is the end of her childhood, as well as her childhood writing. At this moment, she has matured into an adult, and will begin to write as an adult. This leads to, well, you know what. If you haven't finished the book, I don't want to give it away, but it is important!
We also begin to develop an opinion about Paul Marshal. "She had noticed him hanging around the children lately. Perhaps he was interested in Lola". He is also described in this chapter has "so nearly handsome, so hugely rich, and so unfathomably stupid". Marshall's character plays a substantial role in the rest of the book, and it is important to see him develop as a character.
- You might give more of an insight into Cecilia's character here. In addition, you could give us further insight into Briony's character, as well, since the chapter is written by her. You might also connect your analysis more fully to the themes of the novel.