Monday, November 11, 2013
Briony, Robbie, and Cecilia
In the reading, we learn that Cecilia has remained supportive of Robbie’s innocence, abandoning all the members of her family. In the case of Cecilia, would you be able to turn away from your family knowing that they have falsely accused someone? What would you do in Cecilia’s shoes? Do you think Robbie can ever forgive Briony for her actions that night?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It would be difficult to completely ignore my family for the rest of my life. However, I think Cecilia's case is different because she is not particularly close with her family to begin with. She has little contact with her mother, and her father is always away. Whereas, my family is very close, and it would be difficult to drop them if they wrongly accused someone I am very close to. If I were Cecilia, I would do the same. Not only is she being loyal to Robbie, but she they longer she believes he is innocent the more others might re-think their judgements. I don't think that Robbie will ever forgive Briony for her actions, but I think he will accept them. During the reading we can see Robbie begin to accept his fate, but it doesn't seem as though he has forgiven Briony.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would turn away from my family but it would take me a very, very long time to forgive them. If I were Cecilia, I would have stuck up for Robbie in the first place and explain what actually happened. If Cecilia loved Robbie as much as she claims to, she would have stuck up for him and dealt with the consequences.
ReplyDeleteTurning away from your family can be extremely challenging, but it can also be extremely necessary. I think Cecilia did the right thing. She felt a certain way and expressed that feeling. What she did took courage and bravery. This is a time where children are seen and not heard. They usually follow their parents lead and simply do what they are told. In a way, Cecilia rebelled. I have rebelled against my parents before... just not in such dramatic ways. If I were in her shoes, I would have done the same thing. Furthermore, I do not think Robbie will ever forgive Briony for her actions. She potentially ruined the rest of his life, and he owes her nothing.
ReplyDeleteIf I were Cecilia, I would have had to know Robbie longer on a very personal level to leave my life and family for him. Cecilia had one personal encounter with Robbie and uproots her entire life for him. I think her decision is a bit rash but still makes sense. I think Robbie can forgive Briony because she was young and attention seeking, but he most likely will not be able to forgive the Tallis family for believing a 13 year old girl over him. Briony and the rest of her family aside from Cecilia sent him to prison for a crime he did not commit and made him endure the torturous prison life he will never forget. Robbie loves Cecilia so much that he feels guilty for taking her away from her family, but he does not imply that he has kind feelings for her family.
ReplyDeleteEven if my family falsely accused someone important in my life, I would eventually be able to forgive them. Although it would take time, I would be able to work past their wrongdoings if they apologized to both me and the person they accused. If I were Cecilia, I would remain supportive of Robbie. However I would still allow my family to contact me and slowly rebuild our relationship. I think that Robbie will be able to forgive Briony because he wants Cecilia to reconnect with her family.
ReplyDeleteMaking mistakes is a part of being human. Briony is a young child who thought she was looking out for her sister in danger. My family is a big part of my life. If they had falsely accused someone I loved them I would loose respect for them, but not take as serious measures as Cecilia did. In Cecilia's shoes, Robbie was the person she cared about most. Cecilia's family was only looking out for her safety and well being. Briony was a confused child, but Robbie had to pay a price for what he was accused for.
ReplyDeleteIf I were Cecilia, I don't know if I could ever completely turn my family away. I would definitely question their ethics and I would feel that it was a slap in my face for them not to trust me or whomever I'm in love with. Being at the age she is, I think it was much easier for Cecilia to turn away than if she were say 17 (like me). If I were 23 I would definitely communicate only when really necessary, but I wouldn't limit information like where I live, my number, etc.
ReplyDeleteAs for Robbie every forgiving Briony, I don't think that it's possible. Briony put Robbie behind bars for 3 and a half years, took away his freedoms, took away his ability, and even hindered his ability in the future. That's a big deal. For Robbie to forgive Briony would be the ultimate show of benevolence.
I think that Cecilia's decision to cut off her family was another example of how immature she is. Instead of continuing to try to convince her family of his innocence. She could have remained loyal to Robbie and stayed with her family. Because of her mother's absence, she had a lot of responsibility in the house and she abandoned them all along with her family. She also accused another innocent man, which makes her just as bad as Briony.
ReplyDeleteIf I were Cecilia, I too would turn against my family. Cecilia was a young adult at the time who had a ton of responsibility thrust upon her; in many ways she is similar to me. It is unfair that parents would listen to a thirteen year old who has no logical proof of what she thinks she saw. I would be furious with my younger sister and would want nothing to do with her. And for my family, I would want nothing to do with them the either. They choose to believe a silly young girl instead of a responsible adult who has run the household in the parents absence. Even reading this book it makes me mad that her family believed Briony.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that Robbie will ever forgive Briony for what she has done. She has not only ruined his reputation in the household, but also sent him to prison and war. If I were Briony, I would have confronted Robbie or Cecilia about what she thinks she saw.
I think that if my family dynamic was like that and Cecilia felt that disconnect with her family before she left then I think that she has the right to be angry. Briony is a maniac and she basically just ruined her love's whole life, especially of someone who was so smart, innocent, hardworking and had a bright future ahead of them. If her family understood where she was coming from and actually listened to her word about correctly investigating and listened to her about Danny Hardman then I wouldn't be as angry at my family. I see where Cecilia is coming from especially because of Briony's actions.
ReplyDeleteIn Atonement, Cecelia sticks up for Robbie and defends him to her family. Although it would be difficult to ignore my family for the rest of my life, Cecelia is not very close with her family and she is 23 and its easier to cut off from them. It doesn't phase her to leave her people, she is unable to keep loyal to her family and Robbie.
ReplyDelete