On Margaret Atwood's Revisionary Fictions

Crowned as the queen of Canadian literature, Margaret Atwood is one of the most eminent writers both in Canada and around the world. As the winner of many honours and awards, she is widely praised for her artistic talent and distinct writing style. Most of her works have become bestsellers around the world and a constant object of critical study. Despite the profound influence classics exert on literature and culture, attempts at challenging their authority can be heard now and again. In the last few decades, rewriting has become a hot issue in the literary field, with lots of writers bringing out numerous revisionary works. As a woman writer with rich cultural deposits, superb narrating skills and a high sense of innovation, Margaret Atwood is a significant contributor in this area. This thesis examines three of her revisionary works, namely, The Penelopiad (2005),"Gertrude Talks Back"(1992) and"Bluebeard's Egg"(1983). I hope to reveal through such an examination Atwood's unique perspective and attitude towards the related classics.This thesis consists of five chapters. Chapter One is an introduction to Margaret Atwood's literary career and the critical attention that has been given in the last few decades to her works. Chapter Two discusses her rewriting of The Odyssey. In The Penelopiad, Atwood subverts the epic by utilizing new narrative forms and perspectives. Chapter Three deals with"Gertrude Talks Back". By presenting a dialogue in which Hamlet and Gertrude are equally positioned, Atwood constructs the story of a contemporary Gertrude who faces her son with confidence and the patriarchal system with defiance. Chapter Four studies the re-inscribed fairy tale"Bluebeard's Egg". Atwood creates a new relationship story through appropriating and modifying the old motifs and archetypes. Chapter Five is the conclusion in which I contend that by rewriting the classical narratives, Atwood aims at restoring women characters'voice, reconstructing their images, drawing attention to rights of all the marginalized ones and achieving harmonious relationship between the two sexes.