11/23/2023 0 Comments Penelope odyssey bookSince reading The Penelopiad, I've become much more aware of female representation in the media that I consume. This lack of recognition of intersectionality sends a clear message to the reader even though Penelope doesn’t seem to recognize the influence of class on the maids’ lives, Atwood implies that we, the readers, should. Penelope’s self-awareness about her own marginalization as a woman starkly contrasts with her apparent blindness to the situation of her maids. In fact, she even explains that male guests expected unhindered access to the servants as part of their visits to other palaces. Instead of regretting the inherent inequality that leaves her maids powerless when raped by the suitors, Penelope accepts the rape of servants as a common social practice. In all of the fairy tales and historical fiction that I've read over the years, never had I seen the struggles of female servants in a royal court so clearly articulated.Īlthough Penelope expresses profound guilt and sadness over the maids' deaths, her perspective is clearly influenced by her own position of power. The maids describe their various responsibilities and chores and their inevitable objectification and rape by male visitors to the palace. The alternating narratives between Penelope and twelve of her most trusted maids, hanged by Odysseus upon his return to the palace, reveal the harsh differences between Penelope’s life as queen and the experiences of those in her service. Not only is The Penelopiad important because it raises issues about female representation in classic texts, but also because it addresses issues of inequality based on class that are glossed over in the original piece. Atwood portrays her as human this Penelope is a woman with thoughts, feelings, and desires that make her a multi-angled character. This version of Penelope is relatable and imperfect, unlike her objectified description in The Odyssey. The Penelopiad exposed me to a feminist perspective on such a male-dominated text. The novel recounts the story of Odysseus in the voices of Penelope and a singing chorus of twelve maids who were killed by Odysseus for sleeping with the suitors during his absence. Thankfully, per my English teacher's recommendation, I read Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad in conjunction with The Odyssey. Whenever Penelope was referenced, I eagerly looked for meaning or recognition of her humanity that never came. In part because of the lack of multi-dimensional female characters, I struggled through The Odyssey when I normally enjoy reading for English class. I was also disappointed by a clear double-standard Odysseus sleeps with countless goddesses and is admired as a hero, whereas Penelope is expected to remain chaste for her husband's prolonged absence. When I read The Odyssey, I was upset to see roots of female stereotypes that are still prevalent in society today. Her character is two-dimensional and, for the most part, irrelevant to Odysseus' escapades. She’s seen as the epitome of faithful wifeliness for her refusal to marry a suitor and for her belief that Odysseus will return. Throughout The Odyssey, Penelope, Odysseus' wife, is characterized as constant, virtuous, and patient. The epic recounts the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus as he journeys home after the Trojan War, including battles with mythical creatures, cunning deceptions of native populations, and lots of sexual activity with all manner of beautiful goddesses. Like many high school students, I read Homer’s The Odyssey in English class.
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