Identifying and analysing Ian McEwan's use of a plot twist in 'Atonement'
I can identify and analyse McEwan’s use of a plot twist in ‘Atonement’.
Identifying and analysing Ian McEwan's use of a plot twist in 'Atonement'
I can identify and analyse McEwan’s use of a plot twist in ‘Atonement’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
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.
To help you plan your year 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 year 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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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Fiction: ending stories unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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
Lesson video
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