Analysis Of Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace

Margaret Atwood’s Novel Alias Grace is a story based off of a historical murder that occurred in the nineteenth century. The court convicted Grace Marks, the main character, of the murder of her employer Thomas Kinnear and his house keeper, Nancy Montgomery. A servant named James McDermott was found guilty of the murder, along with Grace, during the trial. The court ultimately concluded that James McDermott be hanged to death and Grace Marks sentenced to life imprisonment. Grace was eventually granted pardon although the truth of her involvement in the murder will never be truly known. While Atwood portrays the history of Grace Marks, she interprets the construction of society. The system of masculine and feminine gender is intensely associated with characteristics in power among the classes (working, middle, and upper class). Grace is constantly influenced by the public around her that
From a young age, she is forced to take on the motherhood role. Grace’s mother passes on the journey over seas and Grace has to step into the role of caring for the younger children and eventually making income for the family. Grace’s employers and co-workers also advise her with the traditional idea of femininity. Specifically, her friend and companion, Mary Whitney, makes her aware of the significance of a woman’s life and what each woman should aim to do. Mary explains to Grace that it is important for young girls to find a job so each one can eventually marry well and hire their own servants. In the novel the idea of marrying money and economic status, is shown through many instances. This is especially explained in the example