The rise of industrialism in modern England after the Second World War brought with it a dramatic restructuring of the social and economic order. The transition marked the decline of status over traditional family ties and an increased focus on money as a means to achieve a position of influence. This meant that the growing industrial class of the time would stop at nothing to make a profit, often exploiting the most vulnerable in the process. This social restructuring would also require that the old rules of fairness and order be ignored. Furthermore, technology would play an increasingly important role in society as a means to quickly gain power. The novel Atonement explores these changes in a historical context, although the questions it raises remain relevant in today's world. The character of Paul Marshall describes the transition of socioeconomic power from the old ruling families to a new class of industrialists who would come to dominate England from the 20th century onwards. The highly successful chocolate manufacturer Paul Marshall represents the industrialists' drive to take as much as they can, regardless of the cost to others, which is evident in Lola's sexual assault which is blamed on Robbie. The rape highlights Marshall's dominance over the helpless Lola as a result of his socioeconomic position as a wealthy, upper-class man. The new class of industrialists who lived in the 21st century showed a willingness to use any means possible to make a profit, including exploitation and fraud. For example, Marshall did not hesitate to let the sexual assault charges fall on Robbie, an honest, lower-class man. This represents the industrialist's unyielding drive to maintain power, which often requires the exploitation of ordinary people li...... middle of paper ......med, and his exploitation of war to sell Amo Bars, all show his sense of entitlement to take what he wants regardless of the consequences to others. Marshall's contempt for the old rules of propriety and order marks the decline of rigid social mannerisms in England. Furthermore, the role of technology as a means to quickly gain power is seen in Marshall's production of Amo Bars. Thus, the formation of a vicious industrial class with little regard for matters beyond money marked a concurrent decline in the influence that traditional family ties held in modern England. The rule of these industrial traders permanently altered English society as it entered the 21st century. Works Cited Hardy, Thomas. Tess of D'Urbervilles: a pure woman. London: MacMillan & Co. Ltd., 1953.McEwan, Ian. Atonement. New York, NY: Anchor Books, 2001.