When reading Margaret Atwood’s works, one could easily feel disturbed by her presentation of certain male characters.
After discussing Atwood’s feminism and summing up Atwood’s views on male characters, this essay will look at male characters in her works. It will show that her feminism is not critical of men in general, but only intends to subvert a certain kind of masculinity.
In" Power Politics" and "Bodily Harm", Atwood displays a heavy pessimism because she considers men as mere agents of oppression and violence. And yet, Atwood’s presentation of male characters seems to have evolved over time and moved to a broader spectrum, especially in her more recent works.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Is Margaret Atwood a feminist?
- Does Atwood see herself as a feminist?
- Atwood's view on male characters in her works
- Physical abuse and female victimisation
- Power Politics: a dark and chilling vision of men
- Bodily Harm: A violent male society
- The Handmaid's Tale: gender hierarchy and sexual oppression
- Atwood's short stories: a diversity of male characters
- Atwood's insight into the victimizer-victim relation
- Men entangled in complex relationships
- A new generation of men
- Male characters between torments and confusion
- Truly good men
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the depiction of male characters in Margaret Atwood's works, focusing on how they evolve across her various novels and short stories. It aims to shed light on Atwood's perspective on masculinity and its complexities, particularly in relation to her feminism. It explores how she portrays men as both perpetrators and victims of power dynamics, ultimately questioning the traditional stereotypes associated with both genders.
- Atwood's feminist perspective and its impact on her portrayal of male characters.
- The depiction of male characters as both victimizers and victims in Atwood's works.
- The exploration of the complexities of masculinity and its social implications.
- The evolution of male characters in Atwood's writing, from oppressive figures to more nuanced portrayals.
- The significance of Atwood's short stories in showcasing a diverse range of male characters.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The essay introduces the topic of male characters in Margaret Atwood's works, highlighting the author's perceived mistrust of men and their portrayal as agents of oppression. It points out the evolution of this portrayal, particularly in Atwood's later works, which showcase a broader spectrum of male characters.
- Is Margaret Atwood a feminist?: This section explores Atwood's views on feminism, highlighting her reservations about being labeled as a feminist. It delves into her perspective on women writers and the complexities of feminist ideology. The essay examines Atwood's focus on female characters and their relationships with men, particularly in her short story collections.
- Physical abuse and female victimisation: This chapter explores the portrayal of male characters in Atwood's works, focusing on their roles as perpetrators of violence and oppression against women. It examines poems from "Power Politics" and "Bodily Harm," highlighting the themes of power dynamics, physical abuse, and the suffering inflicted upon female characters.
- Atwood's short stories: a diversity of male characters: This section delves into the portrayal of male characters in Atwood's short stories. It highlights the diverse range of male characters portrayed, their complexities, and their relationships with women. The chapter explores Atwood's nuanced understanding of masculinity and its intricacies, demonstrating her ability to depict both troubled and well-intentioned men.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key themes and concepts explored in this essay include Margaret Atwood, feminism, male characters, female victimisation, power dynamics, gender stereotypes, masculinity, short stories, novels, and the evolution of character portrayal.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jean Delteil (Autor:in), 2021, Male Characters in Margaret Atwood’s Writings. A Discussion, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1118795
