An Intertextual Reading of the Politics of storytelling in The Edible Woman, Surfacing, The Handmaid’s Tale and Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood

Abstract

My article explores how Margaret Atwood deconstructs dichotomous visions of women and proposes a reconstruction of women’s identity in the dominant socio political context, suggesting alternative aesthetic systems. This implies self-knowledge and acceptance of both the good and the bad side of their identity; the acknowledgement of this reality is required in order to survive. This acknowledgement engages the readers in a process of critical thinking about the world that surrounds them, that is, a world of language, though the story also refers to a ‘real’ world where things have happened and might occur again. Atwood’s technique of both referring to a physical world and revisiting myths, fairy tales and literary classics gives space to a rethinking of the rules and roles of the dominant society. At the same time, it questions the readers’ position in this world as well as power relations in society.