Log #2

Atonement

Author: Ian McEwan

        Have you ever misunderstood people? Or do you justify others only through their parts of behavior? Not fully realizing one person or one thing, your own opinion cannot be the standard of right and wrong. The scene that leaps into the eyes in the following chapter is shocking. Cecilia only wears her underwear without her clothes in front of Robbie. Then, she jumps into the fountain. She seems to be angry, stares at Robbie, and runs away. From little Briony’s eyes, she doesn’t know what the adults are doing and she frowns on her face. This also makes her feel strange and have doubts in her mind.

        After I keep reading, I realize that Cecilia just wants to pick up the vase fell into the fountain. The reason why Cecilia stares at Robbie is that Robbie lets the expensive vase fall into the water accidentally. It’s just the way they get along with. However, Briony doesn’t figure it. What’s worse, Robbie writes a letter in order to apologize for his rude behavior. He writes two versions. One is a sincere version, and another is an obscene version which is only for fun. Robbie is going to give Cecilia the sincere one, but he brings the wrong letter. Robbie asks Briony to forward the letter to Cecilia. Due to a little girl’s curiosity, Briony opens the letter and reads it. She cannot believe what she has read. This misunderstanding between Briony and Robbie becomes more and more complicated.

        In my opinions, I think we cannot judge a person easily. People cannot show their every aspect of personality in few minutes. Only through getting along with one person in person, you can know him or her well. Understanding one person may take a long period of time. Briony's misunderstanding toward Robbie is lack of consideration. And I guess that it will cause more problems between them in the future.