"First his own life ruined, then everybody else's" (204).

I haven't really thought much about this story in regards to its relation to the historical backdrop of World War, however, it is impossible to escape the horrible realities of the war in Part two, Robbie's section about his eagerness to get back to Cecilia and resume their love. Robbie and the corporals travel through the countryside, avoiding the roads in fear of air raids, making their way to Dunkirk and the (hopefully) waiting ships. McEwan describes the war in horrifyingly realistic details, trying to show something that really can only be experienced through being there. He describes the air raids, the bombs that vaporized not only the soldiers, but women and children as well. He describes the bodies littering the streets that they are forced to simply walk past. He describes the lack of food and water, the unbearable fear and exhaustion and the force of Cecilia's love the only thing that Keeps Robbie walking towards the sea.

Framing the story in this way, with the historical backdrop of the war, certainly adds an extra element to the story. The first part of the novel takes place after WWI, in the time between WWII. The first portion of the novel takes place in a time of calm, however, the faraway threat of war seems looming on the horizon. Some characters in this portion of the novel express their views on the war, some believing that there will not be a war at all and others knowing that there will be one. Paul Marshall is excited about the coming war, viewing it as an opportunity to expand his wealth with his Amo chocalate bar that he plans to be issued to every soldier. The Tallis family is shielded from the realities of war by their wealth. Robbie, too, has plans to become a doctor with the help of the Tallis family and his studies, as well as position with the Tallis family would keep him from the lower and more dangerous ranks of the war. However, all of this is changed following Briony's accusation. Robbie is sent to prison and Cecilia, estranged from her family, becomes a nurse to aid those injured in the coming war. Both of the lovers are ultimately casualties of the war, Robbie - dying in Dunkirk just before he would be evacuated and returned to a waiting Cecilia, and Cecilia being killed in one of the bombings of London. The personal tragedies of the two lovers coincide with the historical problems of the war, adding another dimension of tragedy on the story. As Robbie thinks on the road to Dunkirk, with the imminent threat of air raids at any moment, "First his own life ruined, then everybody else's" (204).