Moral Stupidity in Ian McEwan’s Atonement

This paper argues that the major catalyst behind Briony Tallis’ rape accusation in Atonement is due to ethical issue of moral stupidity. The examines why Tallis, protagonist Atonement, accuses Robbie Hunter for her sixteen- year-old cousin, Lola. For much scholarship on debates implications Briony’s have dominated, but none these studies examined indicts Lola’s rape, destroying lives both and Cecelia. Therefore, this offers a nuanced explanation allegation actions afterwards. Consequently, consistently described as stupid child an adult word 'stupid' repeated fourteen times text, while 'stupidity,' five times. behavior early text represented serious shortcoming impedes own compass which also based class prejudice, jealousy, irresponsibility. McEwan embeds general atmosphere within novel youthful foolishness naïveté. Unfortunately, it because lack direction takes place Briony, out blinded ego, innocent young man.