Atonement Essay – Paul Marshall extract
General Comments
Most responses did a good job pointing out Marshall as being tactful/courteous in his external
interactions as well as the dream which depicted him as more lustful. Some responses did a
good job juxtaposing these two sides of Marshall.
Some responses did a good job pointing out specific elements of Marshall’s fetishization of
Lola via his descriptions of her “velvet choker”, “painted nails”, “young woman” etc.
Few responses commented on the structure of the extract, the way that the events were
recapped in Marshall’s mind, the sequence in the nursery, the recall of the dream and Lola as
the trigger point.
A few responses mentioned the significance of Briony as the author depicting this scene from
her imagination.
Opportunities to comment on the newspaper which brings in the external adult world into the
nursery. This is symbolic of Marshall’s intrusive presence as an adult entering this world of
children.
Opportunities to discuss the farcical nature of the interaction between Lola and Marshall.
Lola mouthing things she did not know via “blind faith” and Marshall accepting them and
playing along with them. Moreover, Marshall is shown as superficial and willing to lie
blatantly about “the parents” in front of the boys to please Lola with lecherous intent.