Week 4 | Atonement
Week four's focus involved analyzing what it means to grow up as a writer, particularly during the war. While it seems like a very niche experience to relate to, I found myself sympathizing with the trials of Briony, Cecilia, Lola, and Robbie, in the novel Atonement, and overall I was able to understand how growing up in an unforgiving world can shape and change even those of a controlling nature.
Day one took us to the British Library, where we examined the Magna Carta, as well as other treasured documents and information about them. What stood out to me the most about the Magna Carta was that it was famous more for what it stood for than what it literally said, which especially connected to Briony's reason for her final draft of Atonement, in that she wanted to give Robbie and Cecilia happiness in the end, even though it didn't reflect what actually happened to them.
The Imperial War Museum on Wednesday taught us about the difficulties of growing up during the war. While not about writers in particular, the aspect of having to abandon what you once knew to survive in a shifted world was very moving. One instance of this was women having to leave their ingrained place in the home to take part in the war and make a contribution just as equally valued as men.
Finally, the Florence Nightingale Museum was reflective on the similarities between Briony and Florence's personalities, and how they enabled both of these women to change their surroundings, both fictionally and in actuality. My personal favorite part, however, was Florence's ill-tempered pet owl, Athena. She reminded me so much of Pixel, and made the experience feel more relatable as a whole!
A lot of imagery at the FNM depicted birds, which connects both back to Jane Eyre as well as the sense that Florence didn't rely on anyone else's rules to make the changes she desired.
My friends and I have really grown as writers ourselves, though perhaps in a different way. Still, this week has lead us to a new understanding of how we view the world, and how we can appreciate the advantages we have in our day and age.
Good connections this week! I love your first paragraph and how you discuss the Magna Carta and Atonement. I never thought of it that way! Both documents are more important for what they stand for than what the actually say. Seriously, this is an awesome connection.
ReplyDeleteI also applaud your decision to put both you and your peers in the blog, to acknowledge that you all are learning, processing, and understanding your experiences through writing, too. Many of us never understand what we truly think and believe until putting words on paper (or screen). You're demonstrating this development as a writer here quite powerfully.
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