The film Lantana by Ray Lawrence and the novel Atonement by Ian McEwan share several key ideas that can be conveyed to audiences in similar ways. The guilt of betrayal, class differences and the idea of ​​love are all explored in depth by both the author and director. Through the use of contrasting character actions, the portrayal of key characters is used to explore these themes, as well as powerful symbols, often paired to foreshadow a crime or guilt. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Lawrence uses the contrast between characters' actions and interactions to show beyond the facades and the true connection of love - or lack of love. Leon and Sonja Zat give the illusion of being a happily married couple along with their children as they attend dance lessons together and continue to sleep together despite underlying issues of disloyalty, communication problems and lack of trust. Lawrence contrasts this with the relatively minor characters of Nik and Paula. While the spouses are poor, as demonstrated by the environment in which they live; a dilapidated, suburban house. They have two young children and have only one income from Paula. Despite seemingly everything going wrong in their lives, they remain loyal and trusting in each other: "'How do you know [he didn't commit murder]?', 'He told me.'" As the audience witnesses the love and mutual respect between Nik and Paula, the lack of love in Zat's relationship becomes clear, highlighting the idea of ​​love and its importance. McEwan also compares the characters' actions to show the difference and importance of love. Similar to Leon and Sonja, Emily and Jack Tallis are married unfaithfully and have children. Despite Jack's attempts to hide his affair, Emily sees his efforts only as "a tribute to the importance of their marriage." Although this conception is at odds with Sonja's view, connections can be drawn as they both have the idea that their partners are not loyal. But when Tallis' house is thrown into chaos, Jack is nowhere to be found, reluctant to help his wife and restore balance to the house. This situation contrasts with the burgeoning relationship between Cecilia and Robbie, arguably the main characters of Atonement. McEwan describes in great detail Cecilia's claims of Robbie's innocence and continues to remain faithful and loyal throughout his conviction and imprisonment. As with Leon and Sonja, due to Jack's poor example, the idea of ​​the importance of love in a relationship is defined and amplified as shown in Cecilia and Robbie's relationship. Through the characterization of key characters other than minor ones, Lawrence and McEwan demonstrate critical class differences, which often result in a manifestation of injustice. Lawrence presents the Zat family as a typical upper-middle class family of early 2000s Sydney. They own the current Holden Commodore; both Sonja and Leon have secure, well-paying jobs, plus their house is framed by a dumpster in front, indicating the planned execution of renovation work. Lawrence fabricated them to be representative of the upper-middle class stereotype that was very rare in Sydney in that time period. As previously mentioned, Nik's young family is seen to be lower class and struggling, with Paula having to "work a few extra shifts", living in a dilapidated house in the outer suburbs and Nik envisioned supporting their long-standing family obsolete cars alone. This is intentionally designed to be"..