How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I tried to disbelieve Stepmother when she told me I'm a witch. [...] pecking at the proof Stepmother offered—pecking at it, turning it over, saying it didn't exist. Then pecking at another bit, and another, until Stepmother took pity on me. If I wasn't a witch, she asked, how else was it that I had the second sight? (4.39)
At first Briony attempted to hold onto a positive self-identity, but over time Stepmother wore her down. Point for evil stepmothers everywhere. This shows how Briony's identity was changed through her stepmother's manipulation.
Quote #2
I'd have to keep on my Briony mask. I'd have to keep my lips greased and smiling. I'd have to keep my tongue sharp and amusing. Already, I was exhausted. (2.60)
What does this say about what Briony thinks about herself? What does it show about what she thinks others will think of her? We're exhausted too, just trying to figure out who the Briony behind the mask is!
Quote #3
Adults tend to view me as being mature beyond my years. I think it has partly to do with being a clergyman's daughter, partly to do with looking after Rose, and partly to do with being rather clever. But I can't take credit; I'm stuck with all of it. (3.30)
Briony acknowledges a positive aspect of her identity, but quickly disregards this as not being something she can take credit for. Again and again, she refuses to think positively about herself.
Quote #4
Father was delighted that his daughter was acting like a regular girl, playing hostess and chatting to a young man. (3.50)
Briony repeatedly references this idea of a regular girl in comparison to her. What does she think regular means, and why doesn't she think it applies to her?
Quote #5
I mustn't get back to thinking of myself as princess, or wolfgirl. All the silly things I used to imagine. Stepmother was right. It doesn't matter that you look like a princess on the outside. You're a witch on the inside and nothing will change that. (3.88)
So Briony used to think of herself positively, which is good news. Would she still think that way if it hadn't been for her stepmother?
Quote #6
Could it be that I truly wanted to save Mr. Dreary? I doubted it, but I'd go. I hadn't the knack of only pretending to do as Father wished. Did I want to save Mr. Dreary? I'll never know. We witches don't go in for self-knowledge. (5.153)
Confused much? By saying she doesn't know herself or her intentions, Briony reveals that whatever identity she has built is not based on truth or introspection. Instead, Briony continually doubts and devalues herself.
Quote #7
You're looking very well. How stupid you sound, Briony! You speak just as Father might. (22.216)
A huge part of Briony's negative identity comes from her internal monologue, and this is just one example (out of many) of her speaking to herself critically. She does this shmoop all the time.
Quote #8
She thought she was a wolfgirl who could run forever. But the wolfgirl has never darted and dodged. The worlfgirl is ready to give up after five minutes. But she's proud and carries on, and now she thinks she may need to be carried home. (23.9)
Ding, dong the witch is dead (or at least temporarily forgotten)… Through her relationship with Eldric, Briony returns to her identity as wolfgirl and moves away from her singular identity as a witch. She is frustrated with herself because her physical capabilities don't live up to her only positive identity.
Quote #9
I do worry about him. I worry that he has horrid feelings about having lost his hand, his dominant hand. He was a boy-man who boxed and fidgeted and climbed roofs, and now—What does he say to himself when he's alone? (32.25)
Having dealt with negative self-identity before, Briony knows a lot about doubting yourself. How is Eldric's situation the same or different from Briony's?
Quote #10
It was certainly liberating to learn I'm not a witch. To learn I hadn't hurt Rose, or even Stepmother, at least not with Mucky Face as my weapon. (32.93)
Briony describes knowing that she is not a witch as liberating because there is a sense of freedom in not attaching yourself to a negative identity. Finally, right?