Analysis Of The Penelopid Is A Novella By Margaret Atwood

Penelopid The Penelopid is a novella by Margaret Atwood, that tells the story of the Odyssey from Penelope’s perspective. Atwood incorporates many interesting elements in her work including, the women’s place in society, the fairness of justice, the double standard of the sexes at this time period, and a 21st century view on the Odyssey. Atwood uses different literary devices in her writing, such as the genres from the maids and the interesting perspective of writing from hades after death. Penelope’s view of the Odyssey, along with gender roles, reveal the patriarchal expectations though out the novel. In Atwood’s work there is justification to the unfairness, along with the roles women played in Penelope’s society. In the beginning of the Penelopid, Patriarchal social systems show where men have control over all aspects of women in their society. Reflecting back on the time period this is set in, Penelope’s marriage is being arranged by her father, King Icarius. It is told when the husband of a nobly born woman, he is expected to stay at the bride’s father’s palace to contribute his share of male offspring. In the beginning of the Penelopid the races to win Penelope’s hand in marriage, is quickly won by Odysseus, even with his known cheating. Rather than Odysseus staying with Penelope’s noble family he moves her back to Ithaca, where he becomes King. Shortly after they return to Ithaca, Penelope and Odysseus bare a son, named Telemachus. Before their marriage really