Briony's inability to see reality for what it really was was the fault of her imagination or the social immunity that Paul Marshall possessed because he belonged to a higher social class? As creepy and suspicious as Paul was, it never crossed the minds of any of the characters in the novel that it could be him. Even Robbie himself blamed Danny Hardman. Well, was it a social problem or simply Briony's problem? Well Jonathan Cape, author of “Who's Afraid of Influence” in The Guardian magazine, claims that it was just Briony's childish arrogance. She believes it has nothing to do with society but more to do with her and her family. He points out that Briony was a 13-year-old girl at the time who had been isolated in this house with no exposure to anything. He has no real idea or understanding of what the consequences really are. He needs attention and feels like he knows everything. He also says that Cecilia is having the same problems as a teenager who should know better to speak and say