On The Metafictionality Of Atonement

This thesis is intended to make an analysis of the metafictional features of Ian McEwan's most outstanding work-Atonement in the light of postmodern narrative theories,regarding both metafiction and postmodernism.Since former research does not provide enough in-depth discussion on this specific subject,this paper may become useful and beneficial in that it gives a systematic and comprehensive study which could serve as a guide in the appreciation of McEwan's novel and even the contemporary English novel represented by him.In conclusion,this paper examines some implications of the term "metafiction" and its reflection in Atonement,a clear representative work of this genre.This dissertation mainly consists of four chapters.The first chapter focuses on the metafictional theme reflected in the novel,namely the problematic relationship between fiction and reality.The metaficionality is also embodied by the questioning of the capacity of history to represent truth,which is a major concern of "historiographic meataficton".The second chapter aims to explore the embodiment of intertextuality in this novel to reveal its self-consciousness by discussing three aspects,mainly,the reference to the Bible,the literary works and the literary style.The use of intertextuality reinforces the novel's fictionality.The third chapter is concerned with the deceptive style of the novel,with the exposure of the narrative as an artifact.The identity of Briony is discussed from two aspects:on the one hand,she is a character who is as real as others.On the other hand,she finally becomes the real author of the novel,revealing the process of the construction of this story.Thus,by giving Briony two identities, the writer deceives the reader into his beautiful lie and awakens them with the same metafictional device,laying bare its nature of artifice.Based on the analyses in the previous three chapters,the fourth part probes into the experimental narrative arts,which reinforce the metafictional effects of the novel.The representative narrative elements are points of view,montage and flashbacks.Through the study and analysis,it is safe to conclude that Atonement possesses the main features of metafiction.The application of metafiction renders the novel more aesthetic significance and meaning.