Biblical Allusions and Literary Parodies in Atonement

Abstract

This paper is intended to make an analysis of Ian McEwan’s most outstanding work—Atonement in the light of postmodern narrative theories, regarding both biblical allusions and literary parodies. 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 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, the use of these allusions and parodies reinforce the novel’s fictionality.