Ransom Vs Atonement

Both texts are concerned with individuals who want to shape the way a story is told and to make that story redeem the lives of those at its centre. Discuss.

Redemption is as an act performed by an individual to convince oneself that they are free from the crimes that they had committed. It relies on the redeemer themselves; redemption is achieved once the wrongdoer is satisfied that they have done what they can to repent for their deeds. Ransom by David Malouf is set during the time of the Trojan War, in contrast to Atonement, directed by Joe Wright, which is primarily set out in England during World War II. Both these texts comprise of characters who want to change the “story” of their lives as well as those around them in an attempt to redeem
His name was changed from Podarces to Priam, meaning “price paid”. This change influences Priam to break away from being “one of those who have no story that will ever be told”. By bringing back his son’s body, he changes his entity and diminishes his weak identity to one of courage and heroism and returns “as a man remade”. His “breath” is no longer “in another’s mouth”- he is now “a hero of the deed that till now was never attempted”. Likewise, in Atonement, Briony faces problems relating to her identity. Briony possesses the power to demonstrate herself in whichever way she wishes. She changes from a misunderstanding child to a nurse, all the while being an author. Her name changes from “Briony Tallis” to “Tallis” when she becomes a nurse. She once again assumes a different identity when talking to the French man who was wounded in war, revealing her name at the end of their conversation. The lighting in this scene is dark, but the bedside lamp lighting up Briony’s face gives the audience an emotional atmosphere- the audience are moved by both the French man’s death and Briony’s brief sacrifice of her individuality. Both Priam and Briony use their identity as a medium to redeem themselves, but through different approaches. While Priam finally gains a solid identity by the end, Briony breaks down her several identities to put an end to her novel as the real Briony Tallis who is deeply engulfed by guilt of her past