Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood
Exploration Of A Murderess From A 20th Century Point Of View
Oct 7, 2008
Margaret Atwood is one of Canada's most celebrated writers who has over the years produced a substantial body of work. As well as novels such as Surfacing and Alias Grace she has released poetry, letters and critical literature. Perhaps the one theme throughout her work has been that of feminine nature which Alias Grace is a prime example of.
Post-Historical Fiction
Based on the history of double murderess Grace Marks, it gives us an insight into the world of the woman as she serves time in the penitentiary recounting her story to a young scientist, Dr Simon Jordan. Atwood's genius is to use the facts that are there for her regarding the murders and add a fictional element which allows her to explore the notions of Victorian prejudice against women and the way they have changed.
It is an interesting book which doesn't attempt to find an answer to whether Grace was guilty or innocent and instead leaves the reader to make up his own mind. In a way we become complicit with the Doctor and become jury ourselves. On top of this Atwood weaves a tale of servitude which puts us in the centre of Victorian servant life.
Imagery and Society Through Words
This fictional account, albeit no doubt based on certain facts, allows Atwood to introduce some of the prejudices of a patriarchal society. We are complicit with Grace and her treatment by various employers and also the people who are trying to save her from imprisonment. It throws up some of the hypocrisies of society which were prevalent at the time.
The representation of society which is shown is not one from a classic Victorian novel but more in the vein of John Fowles French Lieutenants Woman. This keeps the novel in its postmodern category but also lets Atwood open up more on some of the more seedier and salacious aspects of Victorian society.
Most of all Atwood writes in a language which immediately brings to life the dull activities of servitude or imprisonment. It is her language which brings Grace's story alive with imagery which sticks until the end. It makes the moment of murder all the more horrific when it comes as the reader has fallen into Grace's role as a servant.
Whether Grace Marks was guilty or innocent will never be found out now and Atwood offers up no answer of her own. At first she erred towards the side of guilty with a previous piece of work being heavily influenced by an overblown account of Marks story. It may be that when confronted with all the evidence she decided to atone for her previous mistake. The reader will have to make up their own mind as to the true events.
