Identifying and analysing Ian McEwan's use of a plot twist in 'Atonement'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and analyse McEwan’s use of a plot twist in ‘Atonement’.
Key learning points
- Writers may choose to use a plot twist to subvert the readers’ expectations around life and people’s behaviour.
- In ‘Atonement’, McEwan’s use of a plot twist may subvert our expectations of love and forgiveness.
- To create an emotional plot twist, McEwan arguably uses idioms, juxtaposition, and plosive sounds.
Keywords
Atonement - the action of making amends for a wrong or injury
Plot twist - a radical change in the direction or expected outcome of the plot in a work of fiction
Subvert - to criticise or undermine the usual way of doing something or common values
Bleak - not hopeful or encouraging
Idiom - a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning
Common misconception
Plot twists typically reveal something hidden about a character.
While plot twists may reveal something hidden about a character, plot twists can be used to subvert our expectations of life and resolution.
Teacher tip
It would be useful for pupils to share their ideas about how they want 'Atonement' to end to enhance the intensity of discovering the plot twist.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2023 Vintage edition of ‘Atonement’ by Ian McEwan for this lesson (not provided).
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'A radical change in the direction or expected outcome of the plot in a work of fiction' is the definition of a .
Q2.'To criticise or undermine the usual way of doing something or common values' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Q3.'The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect' is the definition of which word beginning with 'j'?
Q4.The words 'bleak', 'despair' and 'oblivion' all create a sense of ...
Q5.'Sounds articulated with an abrupt release of air like "p", "b" or "t"' is the definition of which type of sound?
Q6.What might the effect of using plosive sounds repeatedly be?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'The action of making amends for a wrong or injury' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Q2.In McEwan's 'Atonement', before the plot twist, we're led to believe which of the following?
Q3.In Ian McEwan's 'Atonement', what is the plot twist in the epilogue?
Q4.In McEwan's 'Atonement', what does McEwan juxtapose in order to emphasise the emotional plot twist?
Q5.'Not hopeful or encouraging' is the definition of which word beginning with 'b'?
Q6.'A phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Identifying and analysing Ian McEwan's use of a plot twist in 'Atonement', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Identifying and analysing Ian McEwan's use of a plot twist in 'Atonement', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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