Abstract

No matter how the time changes, the topic of atonement always exists in literature as well as in our life. In the novel Atonement, McEwan explores the theme of salvation through Briony, Cecilia, and Robbie’s story, all of whom try to atone for themselves. However, Briony is the most important character who atones for her mistakes that has caused the tragedy of three of them, and spends the rest of her life in the exhaustion of deep repentance and redemption. Meanwhile, growth is also a main theme of this novel. Growth is a necessary stage of life. It is the main experience of human life in a widespread cultural phenomenon and human individual life. Growth is always a permanent theme in literature, and in the history of Oriental Literature, it occupied very important position. What’s more, growth also has a very long tradition of literary creation. The novel is to discuss the growth character growth process as the theme of the novel, it is through the process of growth experience for a person or a few personal narrative, reflect the characters thoughts and thoughts from naive to mature in the process of change. So, this thesis will combine these two things to point-out that growth makes people understand the meaning of salvation, and people can get real growth from salvation. Salvation is closely related with growth.

Key words: Atonement, growth, salvation, initiation novel

CONTENTS

中文摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Brief introduction to McEwan and his Atonement-1

1.2 Brief introduction to the main characters in Atonement-2

2. Main characters’ growth and salvation-2

2.1 Briony’s growth and salvation-3

2.2 Cecilia’s growth and salvation-4

2.3 Robbie’s growth and salvation-4

3. The relationship between growth and salvation-4

4. Conclusion-6

References-7