Atonement

In the novel Atonement, I don't think that there is any character who achieves atonement. The actions of so many characters in this story are entirely selfish and just plain wrong. Paul Marshall started this whole whirlwind effect by raping Lola and is the person who should ultimately be blamed. He never atones for his actions and faces no repercussions because he becomes so powerful by the end of the story. Lola could have righted the wrongs set in place by Briony and Paul, but she never does. I think she had to have known who raped her. Briony should have never made a false accusation about claiming to know who it was that raped Lola. People might say that she simply wanted to be more adult-like and become involved in the actions of her older sister. However, a sign of maturity is taking responsibility for your actions and Briony clearly does not know how to do that. She never atones for her wrongdoings. Even if she eventually felt guilty about it, she never does anything of significance to set the record straight. I think part of the reason she became a nurse for soldiers is because she felt guilty about sending Robbie away to fought in the war. I believe she eventually realizes the severity of her actions, but still never addresses the issues she has created. She causes Robbie and Cecilia to never experience true happiness with one another by having Robbie sent away. Sure, the setting may have contributed to the lack of atonement, but I cannot feel sympathetic towards Briony. What she did was downright evil and there is no possible way that I could feel sorry for her when she never resolves the problems she herself created.