Title Violated, silenced, and rendered invisible: a reconsideration of lola quincey in mcewan‘s “atonement”
Translation of Title Išniekinta, nutildyta ir nematoma: Lolos Quincey permąstymas Iano McEwano romane „Atonement“.
Authors Pagani, Letizia
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Pages 49
Keywords [eng] Atonement, Ian McEwan, trauma theory, feminist theory, sexual violence, silencing, rape myths, unreliable narration, Atpirkimas, Ianas McEwanas, traumos teorija, feministinė teorija, seksualinis smurtas, mitai apie išprievartavimą, nepatikimas pasakotojas
Abstract [eng] This MA thesis sets out to examine how sexual assault is represented in Ian McEwan’s "Atonement", with a particular focus on the character of Lola Quincey. The paper analyzes how she is silenced both by the narrative and by the social context in which she exists, suggesting that her decision to withhold the truth might not be an active choice, but the result of several social and psychological factors. Drawing on feminist theorists of sexual assault, this study is based on the idea that, to understand the real meaning of rape, it is necessary to analyze the broader social context of the assault, since the violence does not stop at the rape itself. The thesis further analyzes Lola’s characterization as a flirtatious young woman, whose depiction aligns with the logic of rape myths, thereby complicating her status as a victim to the reader. In addition, trauma theory is employed to explore how traumatic memory works differently from normative memory, suggesting that Lola’s silence may be the result of a manipulation of her memories. The paper uses Judith Herman’s work more specifically to identify whether recovery is possible for Lola in the society she lives in. The thesis eventually concludes that she lives in a society strictly concerned with public image, and that after a family scandal, they cannot afford another face-ruining event. Therefore, her silence needs to be analyzed not as a personal choice, but as the consequence of social and psychological factors that affect victims of sexual assault.
Dissertation Institution Vilniaus universitetas.
Type Master thesis
Language English
Publication date 2026