How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph) or (Part.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Her sandals revealed an ankle bracelet and toenails painted vermilion. The sight of these nails gave Briony a constricting sensation around her sternum, and she knew at once that she could not ask Lola to play the Prince. (1.1.5)
Lola is fifteen going on twenty-five. She can't play a prince because she's already working so hard at playing a princess. Briony, meanwhile, is freaked out by the slightest suggestion of sexuality. All of which is going to cause problems down the road…
Quote #2
Briony felt the disadvantage of being two years younger than the other girl, of having a full two years' refinement weigh against her, and now her play seemed a miserable, embarrassing thing. (1.1.36)
The sign that Briony is growing up here is actually that she's embarrassed that she's not grown up. If she were a bit younger, she wouldn't even care about being refined. It's being stuck in between that's the killer.
Quote #3
One word contained everything he felt, and explained why he was to dwell on this moment later. Freedom. In his life as in his limbs. Long ago, before he had even heard of grammar schools, he was entered for an exam that led him to one. Cambridge, much as he enjoyed it, was the choice of his ambitious headmaster. Even his subject was effectively chosen for him by a charismatic teacher. Now, finally, with the exercise of will, his adult life had begun. There was a story he was plotting with himself as the hero, and already its opening had caused a little shock among his friends. (1.8.42)
This is bat-you-over-the-head-and-make-you-cry-in-your-milk irony, here. Robbie dwells on the word "freedom" later because later he's in jail. He doesn't get to choose a profession; he doesn't get to start his adult life. Though he does get a story with himself as the hero, it's not plotted by him, and it's a tragedy, not an adventure. It does cause a shock among his friends, though. At least he's right about that.