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How Does Margaret Atwood Challenge Traditional Gender Roles In The Penelopiad

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To what extent does Margaret Atwood's “the Penelopiad” challenge traditional gender roles and power dynamics as exemplified in Homer's the Odyssey through its nuanced portrayal of Penelope and other marginalized female characters? Abstract: Margaret Atwood’s “The Penelopiad” challenges typical gender roles and power, unlike “The Odyssey”. This is shown by the reinterpretation of the story from the perspective of Penelope and other marginalized characters. Through the retelling of “The Odyssey” by Homer, Atwood highlights the unfairness of the patriarchal system. The retelling critiques the original narrative and offers deeper insight into modern gender issues; an example of the modern gender issues discussed in “The Penelopiad” includes …show more content…

Margret Atwood's “The Penelopiad” offers a retelling of Homer's Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope, the faithful wife of Odysseus. By giving Penelope and other marginalized female characters a voice, Atwood challenges the traditional gender roles and power dynamics that are exemplified in The Odyssey. This essay will explore how The Penelopiad reinterprets Penelope's character along with the maids and other marglinised female characters. and experiences of the maids to subvert the conventional portrayal of women and offer a critique of the patriarchal structures in The …show more content…

The maids are severely punished for their supposed disobedience and disloyalty, this therefore a harsh reminder of the harsh gender and social hierarchies of the time. Atwood’s, “the penelopiad,” however, brings the maids' perspectives to the foreground of these marginalized women. The chorus of maids serves as a powerful narrative device, providing commentary and reflection on the events of the story. Their voices, rendered in poetic interludes, highlight their victimization. The silencing and brutal murder of the maids highlights the “limits of recognition” of the maids within society, highlighting that the maids are speaking about what Penelope hides. (Reuter, 2014) By centering their narrative Atwood exposes the brutal realities of their lives and criquets the power dynamics that lead to their execution. This shift not only challenges the traditional portrayal of the maids but also leads to many questions about the fairness of their treatment and the broader patriarchal structure within the “odyssey” (Scanlon, 2015). Furthermore, the maids' perspectives reveal deep seated double standards inherent in the societal norms of the time. While Odysseus and other male characters are often praised for their actions, the maids are harshly judged and punished. This highlights the systemic inequalities and harsh realities faced

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