原型批评理论圣经原型

ContentsChineseAbstract 2EnglishAbstract 31.Introduction 41.1AbouttheAuthor 41.2AboutArchetypeCriticism 42.TheBiblicalRedemptiveThemeinAtonement 52.1TheRedemptiveThemeinAtonement 53.TheBiblicalCharactersinAtonement 63.1JudasVersusBriony 63.1.1JudasinHolyBible 63.1.2BrionyinAtonement 73.2ScapegoatVersusRobbie 83.2.1ScapegoatinHolyBible 83.2.2RobbieinAtonement 93.3MagdaleneVersusCecilia 103.3.1MagdaleneinHolyBible 103.3.2CeciliainAtonement 114.Conclusion 13References 15浅析小说《赎罪》中的圣经原型摘要本篇论文奉诺斯洛普·弗莱的神话原型批评理论为指导方法，从主题与人物的角度出发，深入研究伊恩·麦克尤恩鲜有的长篇小说《赎罪》。不难发现，小说中存在的许多具有浓烈圣经意味的人物，及其主题“赎罪”——仅凭无知少女主观臆断的“证词”，三个主人公被迫走上“赎罪”的道路，各自的命运也被彻底改写，都给读者们留下了深刻的印象。通过联系小说主人公与某些具有相似特点的圣经原型人物，《圣经》对西方文学创作所产生的深远影响由此可见一斑。除此之外，本篇论文意欲通过对小说人物与圣经原型之间的对比分析，解析作者伊恩·麦克尤恩的写作意图和小说主旨，得出关于人类认知、人性方面的结论，启发、告诫读者在认知判断的过程中一定要奉理性、客观为至上的行事准则，切勿感情用事，成为冲动的奴隶，被人类的原始邪恶天性所支配，最后犯下无法弥补的过错，为此耗费毕生时光都难逃内心的愧疚，难得灵魂的救赎。关键词：原型批评理论；圣经原型；《赎罪》

ABriefAnalysisofBiblicalArchetypesinAtonementAbstractBycapitalizingNorthropFrye’sarchetypecriticismtheoryasthemaintheoreticalmethod,thisthesisstartsfromtheperspectiveofcharactersandtheme,aimstodeeplyexploretherenownednovelofIanMcEwan—Atonement.LinkingitwithHolyBible,itcanbeobviouslyperceivedthatthereareseveralbiblicalarchetypesconcerningprotagonistsandthemewhichimpressedreadersalot—thethreeprotagonistsembarkedontheirownwayofatoningandrewrotetheirfateonaccountofasubjectivetestimonyoutofanignorantgirl.Alsothefar-reachinginfluenceofHolyBibleimposingonWesternliterarycreationcanbeexemplifiedinthisnovel.OnlyindiggingthecontrastiveconnectionbetweentheprotagonistsandarchetypescantheauthorprobeintothewritingpurposeandcomprehendthemainideaofAtonement,anddrawaconclusionrelatedtohumanityandcognition.Inconclusion,readersareenlightenedtoactrationally,toincludeobjectivityastheparamountyardstickandtoavoidperformingsentimentally.Individualsshouldnotbegovernedbytheoriginalevilnaturethatservestomomentaryimpulse,whichmightinducepeopletocommitanunpardonablemistakeandtakethemlifelongtimetomakeuporescapefrominneruneasiness.Keywords:archetypecriticism;biblicalarchetypes;AtonementIntroduction1.1AbouttheAuthorIanMcEwanwashonoredoneofthemostinfluentialscreenwritersandnovelistsinBritishliteraryarena.BorninAldershotLondon,Englandin1948,IangraduatedfromtheUniversityofSussexandreceivedhismaster’sdegreefromtheUniversityofEastAnglia.Rootlessandaimlessasabunchofdandelionflutteringamongaskywithoutbound,hefollowedhisadriftparentslivingalifeinanavalbasestationedinLibya.Ian’swritingcareercameintoforceinshortarticlesandstoriesfeaturedbyGothicstyle.TheCementGarden(1978),togetherwithTheComfortofStrangers(1981)earnedhimagreatreputationandthenickname“IanMacabre”.Laterin1998,AmsterdamwonhimManBookerPrize.In2002therecameAtonement,whichgarneredconsiderableextolledpraisewasnominatedbyTimesmagazine“thebestnovelof2002”andshortlistedfortheBookerPrize.AlsohewasfeaturedbyTimesonthelistof“the50greatestBritishwriterssince1945”andDailyTelegraphrankedhimnumber19onitslistof“the100mostpowerfulpeopleinBritishculture”.HewasawardedtheJerusalemPrizein2011.Asitisknowntoall,heisaptatdelineatinginneruneasinessofpeopleincontemporarywithdelicate,sharpandcolddescriptions,andkeenondelvingintotheissuesrelatedtoviolence,death,eroticism,goodnessandevil,whichtakeupthemostofhisshortbutmagnumopusesandwonhimthereputationof“blackcomedy”appellation.Thedistortedpowerderivedfromsexualdesireinhumannatureisvividlyreflectedinhismanyworks.Thecrueltyandevilofhumannaturepreciselydepictedinnauseaandhorrorcanbesensitivelyperceivedinhisworks,whatmakesthemmasterpiecesandunexpectedaestheticeffectofblackdramaisthatthosedepictedinakeenperceptioncombinedwithindifferentnarrativeswerederivedfromthesubjectofordinarylife.1.2AboutArchetypeCriticismArchetypecriticism,concerningthewayinanalyzingatextcontainingmythsappearedinformofdescription,symbols,images,allusions,references,orcharacteristictraits,originatedfromananthropologistJamesGFrazerwhoexploredthewitchcraftritualandparadigmsinwesternculturalliterature,andenjoyedthegreatpopularityduringthe1940sand1950s.LaterapsychologistCarlGustavJungcontributedtothecollectiveunconsciousnessthatunderlaidinnationalmemoryandprimitiveexperience,whichspranguprecurringimagesthatappearedrepeatedlyinmyths,religions,dreams,fantasiesandliterature.Suchimagescouldbedescriptivedetails,plotpatterns,orcharactermodelsthatevokedtheoriginalexperienceinthesubconsciousofreaders,andgavepeopletherisetogeneratedeep,strong,andirrationalemotionacts.ThemaincontributorNorthropFryeputthat,“TheGoldenBoughandJung’sbooksonlibidosymbolsareprimarilystudiedinliterarycriticismandveryimportantones...”(张忠载等,2002:108).TheseinsightfulstandpointshelpedtoformthebasisofFrye’ssystemofarchetypescriticismthatshowninAnatomyofCriticism,thethirdofwhichisthearchetypal,whichanewtheangleofcriticismthroughmyth.Fryedefineditasfollows,“Theunionofritualandthedreaminaformofverbalcommunicationismyth.Themythaccountsfor,andmakescommunicable,theritualandthedream...Myth,therefore,notonlygivesmeaningtoritualandnarrativetodream:itistheidentificationofritualanddream”(张忠载,2002:116).WhatFryeemphasizedwasnottheaestheticorvalueanalysisofliteraryworks,buttheexplorationoffixedelements,literarypatterns,evenuniversallawsofliteratureandtheconstructionofalogicalcognitivesystem.ClaimedfirmlybyFryethatitwastheprinciplethatgaveliteraturethepowerofdissemination,despiteallthechangesinideology,forthousandsofyearsthestructuralprinciplewasconditionedbysocialandhistoricalfactors,anddidnotexceedthem,butithasalwaysmaintainedaformalcontinuitysufficienttoaccountforthegeneralnatureofliterature,whichwasdistinctfromthechangesitmadeinresponsetosocialcircumstances(王凤珍,秦明利,1998).TheBiblicalRedemptiveThemeinAtonement2.1TheRedemptiveThemeinAtonementAtonementwasanunfailingthemeinwesternliterature.AsLiYing(2017)exemplifiedthattheriseofredemption-themedliteraturecomesfromindividual’sguiltconsciousness,whichreferstotheguiltsenseforsinthatbelongtooneorotherindividuals,history,andeventhegeneralizedhumanfaults.Undertheinfluenceofthiskindofculturalideology,attentionwaspaidtotheexpressionthatthepenitents’tryingtoalleviatetheirguiltythroughconcreteactionsofgoodnessandaffirmtheirspiritualacquittalofsin.ThecaseinpointisMcEwan’sAtonement,whichtookagreatlengthtoexplaintheatoningwayofthreeprotagonists.AhotsummerdayinanidyllicTallismanor,aprecociousandimaginativegirlBrionywitnessedhersisterCeciliatakingoffclothes,divingintothewaterfountainandthendripping,nearlynakedstandinginfrontofahandsomeman,Robbie.Latertimeinafternoon,anapologyletterfullofobscenewordsfromRobbietoCeciliawaswronglyreadbyBrionywhofoundhersisterCeciliawas“attacked”byRobbieinthestudy.AlltheseeventsthatbeyondBriony’scomprehensionhaveunderminedherbottomlineinmorality,andthehazybuthopelesslovemotionsheheldtowardsRobbietotallylightedupherhateandenvyandeventuallyinducedherarbitraryaccusationthatRobbiewastheoffenderwhorapedhercousinsisterLola.AccordinglyRobbiewasarrestedintothejail.Herignoranceforthetruthwhichlayingbehindwhatshehasseendirectlyledtowrongfulconvictions,andthuschangedthefateofseveralpeople.Thetruthwasinevitablyrevealedasrushingwaterfollowedonunderbridge.Thethreeprotagonistsembarkedontheirwayofatonementrespectively.Robbiejointedthearmytoclearhisnamethatevendidnotbelongtohim;CeciliadisownedherselfwithTallisfamilyandgotherselfapositioninanursingcampsiteinwarfield;Briony,grewupasthechildishnessfadingaway,andtherearoseguiltywhenshecameintorealizingclearlytheaffectionbetweenthosetwoyoungpeopleandthatwhatshehavedonewithrecklessnessandjealousywaserroneousanddevastatinginruiningthem.Shedidtookactionsliketurningdowntheopportunityofpursuingacollegedegreebutchoosingtobecomeawarnurseinbloodybattlefieldtolookafterandconsolewoundedevendyingsoldiers,washingher“sinful”handseverysingleday.Butallshehaddonewasinvaintocomforthersoulbecauseitdidnotmakeanydifferencetothetragedy.RobbieandCeciliawereallkilledintheruthlesswaraffairs,leavingonlyBrionylivewithdeepremorse.Theinnershamestackedwithheragegrowing,asshewouldliketoapologizeforthewrongdoing,therewasnoonecouldapologizeto,theonlywayshecoulddoforrelievingherdiscomfortsoulandinnerfearwastoforgeafictitioushappyendingforRobbieandCeciliainhernovel,whichcostherfifty-nineyearstofinish.Whenfacinginterviewofthepress,Brionyseeminglyexpressedherliberationfromthesin,andsaidthat“Iliketothinkthatitisn’tweaknessorevasion,butafinalactofkindness,astandagainstoblivionanddespair,toletmyloversliveandtounitethemattheend.Igavethemhappiness,butIwasnotsoself-servingastoletthemforgiveme.Notquite,notyet.IfIhadthepowertoconjurethematmybirthdaycelebration,RobbieandCecilia,stillalive,stillinlove,sittingsidebysideinthelibrary,smilingatTheTrialsofAcabella?It’snotimpossible”(McEwan,2001:301).3.TheBiblicalCharactersinAtonement3.1JudasVersusBriony3.1.1JudasinHolyBibleFollowedJesusasoneofthe12apostlesformorethanthreeyears,Judasreceivedbenevolentguidanceandlovefromhisbelovedteacher.ItwasnotthatviciousasJudasfromthestartwhenhedecidedtofollowJesus.BothLukeandJohn’sspeakingof“SatanenteringtheheartofJudas”(GospelofLuke,2008(22):3)testifiedthatwhatmadehimtakingontheroadofbetrayalwashisindulgencetoevildesire.HegavehimselfuptoevilSatanwithoutintegrity.AfterwitnessingJesus’miraculouspowerofsavingandhealingonpeople,evenpowerofexorcisingevilspiritsandothermiracles,JudasdecidedtofollowJesus.HeexperiencedchangesandsublimationinhumanityundertheinstructionofJesus,andobtainedadditionallypowerfulrighttohealthesickanddriveawayevilspirits.ButJudas,whowasgreedyandconceitedinnature,chosetobedrivenbyhiswickeddesire.ShortlybeforethePassover,JudasandthePriestsconspiredtocaptureJesusandkillhimontheconditionofthirtypiecesofsilvers.ThePriestwastoldthateveryeveningJesuswouldgotoGethsemaneforprayingandacodewordthattriggeringtheplanwouldbeakiss.“whomeverIkissedisJesus.Justtakehimaway”(GospelofMatthew,1961(26):48-49).ButseeingreveredJesusbeingtakenawayandhissilentendurancetounjusttrailplungedJudasintodeepfearandregret.Returningtheheavythirtypiecesofsilver,JudasimploredthePriesttoreleaseJesus,butonlybeentoldthatitwastoolatetoredeem.OnceJesuswascaptured,hewassenttothePriests’wherehewastortured,humiliated,andsentencedtodeathbycrucifixion.Hearingthat,rushedthedespairedJudasoutofthecourtroom,andhangedhimselfonatreeintheoutskirtfieldofJerusalem.3.1.2BrionyinAtonementSimilartoJudaswhoturnedbackonhisbelovedteacher,Brionybetrayedtheonesheadmiredbysendinghimtoprisononchargeofraping.ItwashererroneoustestimonythatindirectlyledRobbie’sdeterminationtojointhebattlefieldinwhichhediedalonebeforethenightwhentherealmostcomesthehopeofsurvival.ItcanbeperceivedthatBrionywasagirlofextremepossessivenessandstubbornpersonalityinAtonement.Descriptionsas“Herroomwasashrinetohercontrollingdemon:themodelfarmspreadacrossadeepwindowledgeconsistedoftheusualanimals,butallfacingoneway—towardtheirowner—asifabouttobreakintosong,andeventhefarmyardhenswereneatlycorralled.Herstraight-backeddollsintheirmany-roomedmansionappearedtobeunderstrictinstructionsnottotouchthewalls;thevariousthumb-sizedfigurestobefoundstandingaboutherdressingtable—cowboys,deep-seadivers,humanoidmice—suggestedbytheirevenranksandspacingacitizen’sarmyawaitingorder”showedreadersvividlytheregularityandrepulsiontodisruptioninherworld(McEwan,2001:5).Ontheotherhand,shehadasecretcrushonRobbie,atthemomentshewitnessedtheaffectionbetweenCeciliaandRobbie,amixofjealousyandaversiondroveBrionybecameanidealistwhoarefirstjudgingtheresultsandthenimprovingthefactsaccordingtoresults.Throughaseriesof“evidences”,sheaccusedRobbieasarapistanderotomaniaforoffendinghercousinLolatotallybyherself-consciousness.Forthenextfewyears,Brionyrecededfromthechildlikenaïveofteenagerandgraduallyunderstoodthecomplexemotionofadults.ThensherealizedtheterribleconsequencesthatshecollapsedthelifeofRobbieandCecilia.DaiZhihong(2017)claimedthereasoninFreud’sanalyzingapproachthatitwasstillduetothelackofmoralconceptsandlogicalreasoningoftheID.Therewaslessrationalthinking,nonormativemoralstandardsandlogicalreasoningoftheIDinsideofa13-year-oldchild,whichunintentionallybroughtseriousharmtootherpeople.Infacinguptoherinnerguiltandbearingthesin,sheembarkedonalongroadofatoning.Shesparednotimetowriteanovelfrom18to74.Whatawritercoulddointheworldofliterature,fantasizingaboutthereunionofcharacters,madenodifferenceinreality.“Thereissomethingsinister(aswellasdisappointing)aboutanauthorwhoseeffectsareachievedattheexpenseofhischaracters,particularlywhentheprincipalonesaresosensitivelydrawn”(ShahOP,2008:45).TakingHaoBing’s(2004)opiniontosaythatit’sambiguoustosaythatwhetherBrionyhascompletedtheatonement,itcouldbeonlyassumedthatshehasfulfilledherself-redemptionofindividualsouljustasJudasdid,buttheforgivenessofself-redemptionisnotarealsenseofatonement.Theso-calledatonementisjustaceremonyofone’sinnerexpectation.Soshechosetoconfessthefictionalendingcompiledinnovelandleavedreadersagloomyreality.Thecrimecommittedinimaginationwasalsoatonedinimagination.Whatconsideredthemostsorrowfultragedyisthatsomeoneiswillingtoatonebutthereisnoonecanforgive.3.2ScapegoatVersusRobbie3.2.1ScapegoatinHolyBibleTheword“scapegoat”originatedfromTheBookofLeviticusinHolyBible.TheancientJewsdesignatedthe10thofJulyeveryyearas“YomKippur”onwhichtheywillholdasinoffering,bothMosesandhisyoungerbrotherAaronwereinstructedtosacrificetwosheep.“ThenhewastotakethetwogoatsandpresentthemattheentrancetotheTentofMeeting.Aaronshallcastlotsuponthetwogoats:onelotfortheGod,andtheotherlotforAzazel”(TheBookofLeviticus,1917:8).ThefirstgoatwaskilledanditsbloodwasspilledontheArkoftheCovenant.ThenthePriestwouldputhishandontheheadoftheothergoat,symbolicallyconfessedforallhumansins,andreleasedit.Asitwasreleasedintothewilderness,humansinscouldbetakenawayintoaterritorywithouthumanbeings,thus,humanbeingsweresavedfromvarioussufferings.InNewTestament,itwasalsosaidthatJesuswouldratherbecrucifiedasa“sacrifice”offeredtoGodinordertoredeemthesinsofhumaninworldsincethisexemplifiedtheritualsthatancientJewswhooftenkilledagoattoreplacethemselvesfor“sacrifice”whenaskingforforgivenessfromtheGod.TheBritishanthropologistwhomadeastudyofthearchetypeofscapegoatpointedoutthatasearlyasancienttimes,ceremoniesliketheexecutionofscapegoatswereprevalentallovertheworld.“Thenotionthatwecantransferourguiltandsufferingstosomeotherbeingwhowillbearthemforusisfamiliartothesavagemind.Becauseitispossibletoshiftaloadofwood,stones,orwhatnot,fromourownbacktothebackofanother,thesavagefanciesthatit’sequallytoshifttheburdenofhispainandsorrowstoanother,whowillsuffertheminhisstead.Animalsareoftenemployedasavehicleforcarryingawayortransferringtheevil,mensometimesplaythepartofscapegoatbydivertingtothemselvestheevilsthatthreatenothers”(Frazer,1995:975).FrenchphilosopherandanthropologistReneGirardalsowentdeepintoscapegoatceremonytotraceoneofthemostcommonphenomenainhumansociety,fromthemurderofSocratesinancientGreecetothemodernsociety,therewereactsofcollectivepersecution.The“scapegoatmechanism”hasbecometheprincipleoffoundingandconstructingalmosteverysocialorder.Girard(2002)summarizedinthebookTheScapegoatthatsacrificewasnotinevitable.Therewasacultureoflawsthatfromthesocialpointofview,inordertosafeguardthecommonorderandinterests,theirdeathwaslogicalandevenlegal.3.2.2RobbieinAtonementRobbie,inmuchthesamewayasJesus,alsoplayedaroleofscapegoatforarichmerchant,Marshall.Hewassupposedtobeabrilliantdoctorandcultivateapromisingfuture,butonlybesenttoprisonforthemischargefroma13-year-oldgirl.TherestofhislifewassquanderedinatoningforMarshall’ssininthejailandlaterinwarfield.ThereshouldhavebeenpraiseandgratitudewhenRobbiefoundbackthelosttwinbrothersthatsummernight,butwhatawaitsRobbiewastheunconvincingbutfatalaccusationofbeinga“rapist”thattookhimthewholelifetoatone.Afterbeingputintojail,Robbiehasbeensufferingalotfromtheinnertorment.ThepainBrionybroughttohimwasdevastatingtohislife,ithadbeenthoughtthousandsoftimesthatheshouldrevengeonBriony,therealculprit.“Heacknowledgedthecourageitwouldrequireforhertogobacktothelawanddenytheevidenceshehadgivenunderoath.Buthedidnotthinkhisresentmentofhercouldeverbeerased”(McEwan,2001:478).Ononehand,physicallytorturedbyprisonlifeandmentallystruggledbetweeninnercodeofethicsandtheinstincthatreddesire,RobbiefoundnowaybutonlyimaginationtoreleasetheresentmentandgrievancestowardsBriony.Butontheotherhand,RobbiewasalwaysthinkingrationallyaboutwhetherheshouldforgiveBriony.TherebrokeouttheWorldWarIIduringRobbie’sprisonlife.Thosepreviouslyseeminglysimpleandordinarybasicneedsforfoodandsecurityhavebecomethemainpursuitofpeopleinbrutalwarera.RuthlesspeoplewereswarmingforfoodbutnotdidRobbie,hungryashewas,hestillkepthismindandethics.Oncefacingamotherandasonwhowereindanger,helentahelpinghandwithouthesitationagain.“Thebombhadhittheroadlessthaneightyyardsaway.Hehadtheboyunderhisarmandhewastryingtopullthewomantoherfeet”(McEwan,2001:338).Hedidallthathecouldtosavetheirlives,butinstarkcontrasttoRobbie’sselflessnesstrustandkindhelpwithoutreason,doubtsraisedinthewoman’smindtowardsRobbiehadcostthewomanherlife.AlsoitoverwhelmedRobbiethathewaspowerlesstosavepeople’slife.Humannaturebelongstothecategoryofmoralethics,whichisrestrictedbythenormsofsocialmorality.Onlywhenapersonissubjectedtosuchnormscanhebecalledahumanbeing(宋慧雯,2017(11):54).Robbie’smaintainingoninnerjusticeandhumanitypushedhimtowardsthepositionof“Jesus”inAtonement.Comparingtothosecrazypeople,Robbie’sgoodwillexemplifiedEmerson’ssayingthat“innature,whichisalsoapartofGod,manfindsqualitiesparalleltohisown”.AlthoughJesusandRobbiedifferedgreatlyinsomanydimensions,bothofwhomwererepresentativesofthesaintswithlenienceandkindnesswhoalwaysstoodupfortheirethicalprincipleswhenfacingothers’malevolence.Bothofthemwerebetrayedbytheirbelovedonesandundertakenwhattheyshouldnothavebornandspenttheirlivestryingtoatoneforcrimesdidnotbelongtothem.AlthoughRobbiewasn’tasluckyasJesuswhohadachanceofresurrection,onthehumanityside,he,justasJesus,hadavirtuouspersonality.Itwasneveraneasythingtoforgivetheonethathurtsyousohard,sowasRobbie,thesaintinAtonement.Butintheend,hereconciledwithhisresentmentandchosetostickonthebottomlinethattobenice,tobewarmandrighteous.Alloftheseshinninghumanityandinternalkindnesscreatedforreadersawarmatmosphereindisastrouswartime.3.3MagdaleneVersusCecilia3.3.1MagdaleneinHolyBibleItwasinthefirstyearoftheChristianerathatthestoryofMaryMagdalenetookplace.AnordinarygirlnamedMary,livedinasmallfishingvillagebuttrappedbythelocalreligiouscultureandideologythatforcinghermarriagewithatotallystrangeman.Evenleadinganunhappylife,sheneverstoppedthepursuitoffreedominnature.MaryMagdaleneresolutelymadeuphermindthatsheshallrunawaytoreleaseherselfoutfromthedepressiveandritualconventionwhenJesuswastravelingandpreachingaroundthecitiesandvillages.ShechosetofollowJesusinsocialactivitiesandbecameaapostleofJesus.GuidedbythepurefaithanddeepcommitmenttowardsJesusshesoonbecameJesus’spiritualcompanion.The1943unearthedNahamadiyahliterature,alsorecordedtheintimaterelationshipbetweenMaryMagdaleneandJesus.Accordingtotherecords,MaryMagdalenewasJesus’right-handwomanwhocomprehendedJesus’instructioninfaithmostthoroughly,evenbetterthanthetwelveapostles.ItwasdebatedthatshewasprobablythemostintimatereligiouscompanionofJesus’intheworld.Alsoshewastheonlyoneunrecordedapostlewhoreceivedtheone-to-oneinstructiononGospelfromJesusthatwasneverhappenedtoeverysingleoneoftheapostles.LatershecametoJerusalemandbecamethespiritualleadertheretocomfortthedeadJesusandtheapostles.Anditwasalsothereshefoundherinnerpeace.OncewhenJesuswashealingpatientseverywhere,healsohealedMaryMagdaleneanddroveoutthesevendemonsthatwerelurkinginher.IntheChristianeraof591,PopeGregoryIspeculatedthatMaryMagdalenewasasinfulprostitutewhohadbeensavedbyJesusbasingonthebookthatdepictedJesusChristexpelledthesevendemonsfromMaryMagdalene.AndrewLloydWebberportrayedherasaprostitutewholovedJesusinJesusChristSuperstar.Itwasnotuntilacenturyandahalflater,in1969,thattheRomanCatholicSocietyvindicatedher“sin”ofbeingaprostitute,andpointedoutthatMaryMagdalenewastheonewhohadwitnessedtheresurrectionofJesus.The“sin”and“confessions”,whichhadbeenlastingforthousandsofyears,seemedfinallyreleased.In2016,therefinallysetupthememorialdayofMaryMagdaleneandshewaseventuallyadvertisedbeinga“saint”.“AllapostlesfledasJesuswastakentojudgment”(GospelofMatthew,1961:55-56).OnlyMaryMagdalenefollowedJesusandwatchedhimconstrainedbythecrossandtorturedtodeath.LaterafterJesus'crucifixion,sheofferedapreciousperfumeapplyingthedeadbodyofJesusandusedherfinehairwipinghisfeetasareturnandatonement.That’sthereasonwhytheimageofMaryMagdalenewasdisplayedaroundJesusinmanypaintings.3.3.2CeciliainAtonementCecilia,arebelliousyoungladyfromawealthyfamily,hasjustfinishedhercollegejourneyandhasreachedanagethatwasfullofattractivecharmofmaturewomen.Lovewasthesupremethingthatbeingupheldinhermind.Knowingthiswell,herbrotherLeon,whowasabouttoreturnhomebroughtbackayoungandwealthybusinessmanfriend–PaulMarshall,andintendedtointroducehimtohismatureandcharmingsister.WhathedidnotacknowledgewasthatCecilia’sfullhearthasbeenoccupiedbyRobbie,anoutstandingyoungmangrewupsynchronouslywithCeciliaandlaterenrolledintothesameuniversityasCeciliadid.ButthereshownacontradictorythatCeciliakeptanindifferentattitudetowardsthemanshefellindeeplovewith.ThewayshealwayspretendedtobetrenchantincommunicatingwithironiclanguagewhentalkingtoRobbiewasseenashidingthedeepemotiontoRobbie.InthepeacefulandquietTallisgarden,Robbieheldahumblestatusofhouseservants,butlivedateaseinsteadoffeelingsorryforhisinferiorstatue.“…thefading,reddishdusk,thewarm,stillairsaturatedwiththescentsofdriedgrassesandbakedearth,hislimbsloosenedbytheday’sworkinthegardens,hisskinsmoothfromhisbath,thefeelofhisshirtandofthis,hisonlysuit”(McEwan,2001:78).ForRobbie,hewastryingtoendearhimselfwithCecilia,offeringassistancetoherwiththehouseworkeventhoughtherewasunreasonablecontradictionbetweenthosetwo.However,fromCecilia’spointofview,itwasbettertobemeanasthegulfinclassbetweenthemtwowasimpossibletobeignoreddespitesheindeedhadthecrushonRobbie.Inthenovel,BrionyaskedCeciliawhyshedidnottalktoRobbieandsherepliedthatRobbiewasnotentirelyofhercircle.Thequizzicaltoneofthenaivelittlegirlillustratedreadersatruththatjustafewyearsago,CeciliaandRobbiegotalongsowellwitheachotherbutestrangedintheiruniversitytime.CeciliadidreallyfeelheraffectionandconfusingloveforRobbie.TillapassionateconfessionletterfromRobbiewaspassed,Ceciliarelievedtheconfusioninfeelingsandfeignedindifference.ShewalkedbravelytoRobbie,expressingherblazinglove,unveilingherownsoul,buildinganintimaterelationshipwithRobbiewhenlingeredinthewarmstudy.ButwhenBrionyimpulsivelyaccusedRobbieof“rapist”and“erotomania”whorapedhiscousinLola,whydidCecilianotstanduptobackRobbieandclarifythetruthoftheletterisbecauseshecouldnottranscendthebondageofherclasstobackRobbie.Togetherwiththoseofherclasswho