Atonement | Teaching Key Figures

Character Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major characters in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Characters

Briony Tallis - This character is introduced in the summer of 1935 as a precocious 13-year-old aspiring writer with a penchant for order and secrecy. She is the baby of the family, virtually an only child. She begins writing clumsy, imaginative short stories at age 11.

Robbie Turner - This character is introduced as a 23-year-old gardener. This character is the only son of the family's cleaning lady.

Cecilia (Cee) Tallis Turner - Introduced as a condescending, intrusive, nicotine-addicted 23-year-old sister, this character is on summer vacation from Cambridge, bored and ready to...
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