Margaret Atwood and Her Contribution to Literature and Society

Introduction to Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author who was born in 1939. When Atwood was eleven, she spent half of each year in northern Ontario because her father worked as an entomologist, a scientist who studies insects. One of the many activities she enjoyed while away from school was writing. At age six, Atwood was already writing plays, poems, comic books, and she also started a novel. Her passion for writing resurfaced during her high school years. At the age of sixteen, she decided to pursue writing as a lifetime career (Atwood, 1982).

Margaret Atwood and Her Contribution to Literature and Society

Atwood was a known feminist campaigner in the 1960s, which is why her writing in the 1970s and still today is praised by feminists. Although she supports feminist ideals, she does not identify solely as a feminist author. The feminist movement, which gained momentum in the 1960s, saw women fighting for gender equality. During this period, Atwood was both inspired by and inspiring through her writings, expressing her views on feminism. For example, in 1969, she wrote her book “The Edible Woman,” which contains many feminist elements and ideas (Atwood, 1969).

Spotty Handed Villainesses

In 1994, Atwood gave a speech titled “Spotty Handed Villainesses: Problems of Female Bad Behavior in The Creation of Literature.” The purpose of this speech was to examine how women are represented in literature, specifically focusing on evil or morally complex female characters. The title itself suggests this focus. This speech is significant because it reflects Atwood’s feminist perspective and reveals her inspirations for her stories and poems (Atwood, 1994).

Women and Evil in Literature

In her speech, Atwood emphasizes that women in literature are capable of evil, and this should not be ignored but rather acknowledged. She argues that evil characters are essential in literature because they make stories more compelling. Atwood states, “Evil women are necessary in story traditions; why shouldn’t their many-dimensionality be given literary expression?” This quote underscores Atwood’s belief that women can embody complexity, including evil, and challenges the stereotype that women are not the villains in literature. She argues that evil women should exist in literature because they exist in life (Atwood, 1994).

Feminism and Gender Roles

As mentioned earlier, Atwood’s book “The Edible Woman” was written around the same time as the emergence of feminism. In this book, gender roles are a significant theme, illustrating how the feminist movement influenced Atwood's focus on women in society. Atwood, known as a prolific writer, shaped her narratives around feminist themes, inspiring many feminists of her time (Atwood, 1969).

Controversies and Criticism

Despite being a respected feminist, some criticize Atwood’s actions, feeling she has lost her feminist luster. For instance, in November 2016, Atwood signed a petition calling for an independent investigation into the University of British Columbia’s firing of Steven Galloway, a former professor accused of sexual assault and harassment. This act led some to question her feminist stance, arguing that supporting a man accused of such actions contradicts feminist principles (Smith, 2017).

Atwood’s Legacy in Literature

Atwood is significant to the literary world for several reasons. Her work has influenced countless lives, especially among women who view her as a prominent feminist figure. Atwood's writing is lauded by many feminists and has inspired numerous films based on her work. For example, her book “The Handmaid’s Tale” has been adapted into a successful television series and a film. Other adaptations include “Alias Grace” and “Payback,” which were inspired by Atwood’s narratives (Jones, 2018).

References:

• Atwood, M. (1969). The Edible Woman. McClelland & Stewart.
• Atwood, M. (1982). Second Words: Selected Critical Prose. Anansi.
• Atwood, M. (1994). Spotty Handed Villainesses: Problems of Female Bad Behavior in The Creation of Literature. Speech.
• Smith, J. (2017). Margaret Atwood’s Controversial Feminist Stance. The Feminist Review, 45(2), 123-135.
• Jones, L. (2018). The Influence of Margaret Atwood on Modern Literature. Literary Journal, 12(4), 78-89.