Margaret Atwood Feminist Analysis

Feminism is a significant theme addressed in many literary works of the contemporary period. In the 1800's and early 20th century, many women were oppressed and denied the right to equal opportunities that men were granted. However, after the active and significant role women played in World War II, a drastic change occurred. Women began to play a more respected and crucial role in society. Many women abandoned their expected roles as housewives and mothers and looked for other valued opportunities. This societal shift became a political movement and spawned the social theory of feminism. There was a momentous crusade for equal rights. Women were motivated to eliminate the gender stereotyped roles that were hindering their progression in society.
Atwood mocks this scenario as the fairy tale life and argues that it is unrealistic to the lives of contemporary families and relationships. In another scenario, Atwood tackles the challenging task of displaying a more realistic relationship and the appalling way in which women are sometimes treated. Atwood illustrates the character of Mary as weak and regarded by John as an object. Mary worries about pleasing John and is determined to get his attention by preparing him dinner and looking nice for him. John, however, does not care about Mary and ". . . merely uses her body for selfish pleasure and ego gratification of a tepid kind" (Atwood). Mary believes that she can use sex as a weapon to hold on to John. She is blinded by her love for him and refuses to accept or believe that she is treated badly by John. Atwood states that, "John goes out the door with hardly so much as a good-night and three days later he turns up at six o'clock and they do the whole thing over again" (Atwood). Mary is trapped in a vicious loveless cycle with John. She is unable to find the strength to break this cycle and fears she is nothing without John. In another scenario, Atwood addresses freedom in relationships and