Find quotes from this novel, with commentary from Shmoop. Pick a theme below to begin.
Coming of Age Quotes
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...
Compassion and Forgiveness Quotes
Looking at the boys…she knew they could never understand her ambition. Forgiveness softened her tone. (1.1.22)
Dreams, Hopes and Plans Quotes
Briony was hardly to know it then, but this was the project's highest point of fulfillment. Nothing came near it for satisfaction, all else was dreams and frustration. There were moments in the sum...
Literature and Writing Quotes
The play—for which Briony had designed the posters, programs and tickets, constructed the sales booth out of a folding screen tipped on its side, and lined the collection box in red crepe paperâ€...
Family Quotes
Briony knew that if she had traveled two hundred miles to a strange house, bright questions and jokey asides, and being told in a hundred different ways that she was free to choose, would have opp...
Sex Quotes
Cecilia felt a pleasant sinking sensation in her stomach as she contemplated how deliciously self-destructive it would be, almost erotic, to be married to a man so nearly handsome, so hugely rich,...
Versions of Reality Quotes
She was one of those children possessed by a desire to have the world just so. (1.1.4)
Warfare Quotes
There were horrors enough, but it was the unexpected detail that threw him and afterward would not let him go. (2.1)