Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to the Author-1

1.2 Introduction to Atonement-1

1.3 Literature Review-2

1.4 The Composition and Significance of the Thesis-3

Chapter Two Archetypal Criticism Theories-4

2.1 Origins and Development of Archetypal Criticism Theories-4

2.2 Archetypal Criticism Theories by Northrop Frye-4

Chapter Three Biblical Archetypal Analysis of Atonement-6

3.1 The Biblical Archetypes in Characters-6

3.1.1 Briony: Judas-6

3.1.2 Robbie: Jesus-7

3.2 The Biblical Archetypes in Images-8

3.2.1 Sea: Flood-8

3.2.2 Evacuation Boat: Noah’s Ark-9

3.3 The Biblical Archetype in Theme--Atonement-9

3.3.1 “Atonement” in the Bible-9

3.3.2 “Atonement” in Atonement-10

3.3.3 Inheriting and Developing the Motif “Atonement” in the Bible-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-13

References-14

Abstract

Ian McEwan is among the most conspicuous contemporary writers in English literary world. His masterpiece Atonement is a huge treasure of world literature. This novel is mainly about war, love and class contradictions in English society. The story is about Briony. She made a serious mistake when she was young. Five years later, Briony realized her wrong behavior and wanted to try her best to recover her errors. She spent her whole life atoning for her mistake by creating a novel Atonement.

In Atonement, the main characters, images, and the theme “atonement” are similar to the Bible in some ways. Based on Frye’s archetypal criticism theories, this thesis tries to analyze the main characters, images, and the theme “atonement” compared with the Bible, to reveal the biblical archetypes in Atonement, to enlarge the understanding of this novel under the cultural background, and to discuss the humanistic care and philosophical reflection which is behind the archetypes in novel creation.  

Keywords: Atonement  Ian McEwan  archetypal criticism