This question comes up along with many more as one reads Atonement, by Ian McEwan. In part one of the novel, Briony is characterized as an innocent young girl who can hardly tell the difference between fantasy and reality. She is so wrapped up in herself that she is unaware that everyone else in the world has thoughts and feelings just like hers. This portrayal of innocence is then questioned in part two of the novel, when Robbie recalls on a scene in the past where Briony admits that she is in love with Robbie. Robbie blew this off as an innocent crush but then realizes, after Briony had basically been the reason for him going to prison that maybe she was trying to get back at him for loving Cecilia, her sister, instead of herself.
So now Briony's innocence is question. Briony could have been fully aware of the implications that would result from accusing someone of rape. This could have been part of a plan to get revenge on Robbie after he blew her off and ignored her for over a year and then portrayed his love for Briony's sister. Hopefully the truth is revealed later in the novel but for now, I will continue reading and hope that the truth is revealed.
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