Ian McEwan illustrates a deep theme that builds detail throughout the novel. Atonement, the use of guilt, and the quest for atonement are used in the novel to convey the central dynamic aspect of the novel. McEwan constructs the emotion of guilt that is explored through the main character, Briony Tallis. The child's transition and entry into the adult world, focuses on the behavior and motivation of the young narrator Briony. Briony writes passages that involve her attempt to rid herself of her guilt and find forgiveness for her sins. In which Briony ruined the lives and happiness of her sister Cecilia and her lover Robbie. The reality of events tries to obtain forgiveness for his actions. She is unable to understand the consequences of her actions as a child, but she develops this understanding with age. McEwan illustrates an emotional novel that alters reality by amplifying the creative acts of literature. In this essay, I will argue that the power of guilt prevents people from overcoming the obstacles that hold them back in the past. McEwan embodies the guilt illustrated throughout the novel with the element of symbolic references: "how guilt has refined methods of self-evaluation." - torture, threading the beads of details into an eternal loop, a rosary to be fingered for a lifetime” (162). Literary critic Brain Finney expresses McEwan's "fascination with evil or illicit behavior [that]..." projected [a] sense of evil into [his] stories... one tires of imagining the worst possible thing to seize upon of good”” (69). McEwan references the rosary, which is a religious symbol that fits the title of the novel, suggesting that Briony not only can carry her guilt forever, but that it is there... middle of paper ... her theme of guilt which is built in Briony's character and writing. The structure of limitations provided by McEwan highlights the emotions of Briony herself. While critic Finney addresses narrative form, McEwan presents the corruption of negative appearance displayed in the narrator's own writing. Briony uses the novel to atone for her sins, in a way that makes up for the foolish acts she has committed, giving readers the sympathy to forgive her actions. The inability to achieve atonement is demonstrated in the novel and continually highlights the element of guilt. The attempt at atonement helped Briony, who alludes to the general theme that the ability to achieve atonement is in the hands of the viewer. Untimely, the consequences amplified the writing style that conveyed understanding of the selfish acts that tore two lovers apart..