Margaret Atwood leaves the readers with that question at the end of
“Alias Grace”. Since Grace Marks was a real person and this novel is a
piece of historical fiction, Atwood could have made the decision to give
her version of Grace a sentence. Atwood could have led the readers to
believe that she was guilty of assisting McDermott in the murders of
Nancy Montgomery and Mr. Kinnear. Or, she could have invented pieces of
Grace’s memory or evidence that proclaimed her innocent. That is why
fiction is so great; the author has the power to construct the lives of
their characters to fit the overall meaning.
With that said, I now understand why Atwood left the status of
Grace’s guilt ambiguous. Overall, the story is not about whether Grace
had any part in the murders. It is a perspective on Victorian culture
and Atwood gives the readers her insight to the time period. “Alias
Grace” covers themes like the role of women in society, gender
constructs, class systems, freedom, madness, and physical and
psychological imprisonment. The attempted discovery of Grace’s guilt
plays a central role in the plot, but is not the most important factor
driving the story. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters
(particularly Grace and Dr. Jordan) and the parallels in Grace’s life
(the deaths of power female role models, different types of
imprisonment) much more than solving the “mystery” of whether or not
Grace murdered Nancy and Kinnear.
I really loved this novel for many different reasons and I believe it
deserves to be revisited time and time again. Perhaps not to just
enjoy the story, but to look for deeper meaning in our own lives as
well!
Monday, January 14, 2013
The Tree of Paradise
For the 21st century reader, it may not be initially
apparent but each chapter of “Alias Grace” is titled after a different
quilting pattern. Since I have no sewing abilities, I did not
understand Atwood’s use of this technique at first. All of the patterns
related to the content in the individual chapters, but also served the
greater purpose of giving more meaning as a whole. The last chapter in
the novel is called “The Tree of Paradise”, which I found very
interesting.
In this chapter, we learn of Grace’s fate. After Dr. Jordan disappeared, the truth behind the murders of Nancy and Mr. Kinnear was never revealed. Grace served her time and was later released from the penitentiary, where her former co-worker Jamie Walsh awaited to take her hand in marriage. Jordan lives out his life with his mother still doting over his affairs, covering up his mistakes with claims of amnesia. All in all, there is very little catharsis and very little closure for the audience.
However, I did find Grace’s quilt as metaphor for her life. She incorporates different artifacts from her past and connects together the disjointed pieces of her memory with stitches rather than the truth, which she could never fully grasp. I also feel liked the quilt represented the freedom that Grace could never come to gain early in life. “The Tree of Paradise” is not the Tree of Knowledge from the biblical tale, whose fruit condemned the first man and woman. Rather, it is the Tree of Knowledge without the terrible truth. It is as if Eve never took the apple and the Garden of Eden remained pristine. I think that Grace made the quilt to symbolize her own desire to have remained pure of heart and to have lived an idealized life. Although she cannot go into the past, she can connect together her pain and have it symbolize a new future.
In this chapter, we learn of Grace’s fate. After Dr. Jordan disappeared, the truth behind the murders of Nancy and Mr. Kinnear was never revealed. Grace served her time and was later released from the penitentiary, where her former co-worker Jamie Walsh awaited to take her hand in marriage. Jordan lives out his life with his mother still doting over his affairs, covering up his mistakes with claims of amnesia. All in all, there is very little catharsis and very little closure for the audience.
However, I did find Grace’s quilt as metaphor for her life. She incorporates different artifacts from her past and connects together the disjointed pieces of her memory with stitches rather than the truth, which she could never fully grasp. I also feel liked the quilt represented the freedom that Grace could never come to gain early in life. “The Tree of Paradise” is not the Tree of Knowledge from the biblical tale, whose fruit condemned the first man and woman. Rather, it is the Tree of Knowledge without the terrible truth. It is as if Eve never took the apple and the Garden of Eden remained pristine. I think that Grace made the quilt to symbolize her own desire to have remained pure of heart and to have lived an idealized life. Although she cannot go into the past, she can connect together her pain and have it symbolize a new future.
The Other Side of Simon
When I began reading “Alias Grace”, I had many hopes for Dr. Simon
Jordan’s character. I was hopeful that he would be the won to win
Grace’s trust and use his power to help, rather than hinder, Grace’s
development. I hoped that he would show himself to be a gentleman who
had good intentions for Grace’s recovery and to help her come to terms
with what happened in her past. I did not expect him to heal her or
fully discover the truth, but at least treat her with civility. However,
I was wrong. Jordan showed his disrespect for women by starting an
affair with Rachel Humphrey and allowing for that relationship to make
him jaded and divide his attention from his work with Grace.
In the chapter Falling Timbers, Jordan’s attitude is described. “He’s coming to hate the gratitude of women. It is like being fawned on by rabbits, or like being covered with syrup: you can’t get it off. It slows you down, and puts you at a disadvantage. Every time some woman is grateful to him, he feels like taking a cold bath. Their gratitude isn’t real; what they really mean by it is that he should be grateful to them. Secretly they despise him.”
Jordan was raised in a family with money and good social standing, which entitled him to a “good” woman to marry. Throughout “Alias Grace”, we see Jordan struggling to understand where he ranks in society now that his family has lost their money. For a woman, this fact would be devastating to their future, yet since Jordan is a man he does not have to deal with such a tragic fate. He could easily marry a women from a well-off family, yet he chooses to become involved with a married housekeeper. He is pursued by women from different social classes, yet he disregards all of them due to the fact that he is tired of their gratitude. I believe that this directly relates to his doting mother, who concerns herself with her son’s life. I believe that these factors led to Jordan’s disgusting behavior and ultimate dismissal of Grace in her time of need.
Simon’s inability to assert his right to choose his own wife and profession eventually leads to a domineering mother, who is unable to distance herself from his private affairs.
In the chapter Falling Timbers, Jordan’s attitude is described. “He’s coming to hate the gratitude of women. It is like being fawned on by rabbits, or like being covered with syrup: you can’t get it off. It slows you down, and puts you at a disadvantage. Every time some woman is grateful to him, he feels like taking a cold bath. Their gratitude isn’t real; what they really mean by it is that he should be grateful to them. Secretly they despise him.”
Jordan was raised in a family with money and good social standing, which entitled him to a “good” woman to marry. Throughout “Alias Grace”, we see Jordan struggling to understand where he ranks in society now that his family has lost their money. For a woman, this fact would be devastating to their future, yet since Jordan is a man he does not have to deal with such a tragic fate. He could easily marry a women from a well-off family, yet he chooses to become involved with a married housekeeper. He is pursued by women from different social classes, yet he disregards all of them due to the fact that he is tired of their gratitude. I believe that this directly relates to his doting mother, who concerns herself with her son’s life. I believe that these factors led to Jordan’s disgusting behavior and ultimate dismissal of Grace in her time of need.
Simon’s inability to assert his right to choose his own wife and profession eventually leads to a domineering mother, who is unable to distance herself from his private affairs.
The Beaches
Grace’s dreams are particularly telling about the
inner-workings of her mind. Although Dr. Jordan attempts to break
through the barriers of her thoughts and uncover the mystery behind the
murders, we never really get to understand the whole truth. I believe
the Grace’s dreams allow the reader to gain insight to her character and
decide for themselves whether she is guilty or not.
One dream that really struck me was when Grace see’s the ocean rolling onto the shores. She believes that it is the Atlantic, which she journeyed across to come to Canada and make her new life. The act of traveling was a way for her to start new, but in the dream it is represented differently. The waves come and wash away her footsteps as she walked on the beach. Grace says that, “On the edge of sleep [she] thought: It’s as if [she] never existed, because no trace remains, [she] has left no marks. And that way [she] cannot be followed. It is almost the same as being innocent.”
It is clear that Grace holds a sense of guilt. The question is; for what? Does she feel guilty for running away with McDerrmot? Does she feel guilty for not reporting him when he first made mention of his plan? Or does she feel guilty for actually helping to kill Nancy and Kinnear? From this dream, we understand Grace’s desire for absolution. Atwood leaves the readers wondering what Grace is guilty of, but it is apparent that the past haunts her.
One dream that really struck me was when Grace see’s the ocean rolling onto the shores. She believes that it is the Atlantic, which she journeyed across to come to Canada and make her new life. The act of traveling was a way for her to start new, but in the dream it is represented differently. The waves come and wash away her footsteps as she walked on the beach. Grace says that, “On the edge of sleep [she] thought: It’s as if [she] never existed, because no trace remains, [she] has left no marks. And that way [she] cannot be followed. It is almost the same as being innocent.”
It is clear that Grace holds a sense of guilt. The question is; for what? Does she feel guilty for running away with McDerrmot? Does she feel guilty for not reporting him when he first made mention of his plan? Or does she feel guilty for actually helping to kill Nancy and Kinnear? From this dream, we understand Grace’s desire for absolution. Atwood leaves the readers wondering what Grace is guilty of, but it is apparent that the past haunts her.
Misplaced Loyalty
When James McDermott murdered Mr. Kinnear and Nancy (with or without
the help of Grace Marks), he wrongfully took the lives of two people who
had not harmed him in any serious way. Although they may have
inconvenienced him or Nancy’s remarks may have been emotionally abusive,
he still had not right to murder them. In “Alias Grace” and the
real-life case, we are unsure whether Grace is as innocent as she
claims. However, I believe Grace is definitely guilty of remaining loyal
to McDermott after the murders occurred.
The pair are on the run when Grace has the opportunity to flee from McDermott. And even though he has assured Grace that they will either “hang together or hang separately”, she could have escaped and gone to the authorities. However, according to Grace:
“There is something despicable about betrayal; and I’d felt his heart beating next to mine, and however undesired, still it was a human heart; and I did not wish to have any part in stilling it forever, unless I should be forced to it.”
It is understandable that Grace does not want to be the one to end McDermott’s life, but I fully believe that she was truly innocent (or at least thought herself innocent) Grace could have gone to the authorities and reported the murders. Her misplaced loyalty to McDermott may have been one of the strongest factors leading to her perceived guilt.
The pair are on the run when Grace has the opportunity to flee from McDermott. And even though he has assured Grace that they will either “hang together or hang separately”, she could have escaped and gone to the authorities. However, according to Grace:
“There is something despicable about betrayal; and I’d felt his heart beating next to mine, and however undesired, still it was a human heart; and I did not wish to have any part in stilling it forever, unless I should be forced to it.”
It is understandable that Grace does not want to be the one to end McDermott’s life, but I fully believe that she was truly innocent (or at least thought herself innocent) Grace could have gone to the authorities and reported the murders. Her misplaced loyalty to McDermott may have been one of the strongest factors leading to her perceived guilt.
Clean Freak
I love cleaning. I get great satisfaction from disinfecting commonly
touched surfaces, scrubbing dishes, and mopping floors. However, even I
thought Grace’s comment was slightly ridiculous:
“Oh, for God’s sake don’t kill her in the room. I said, you will make the floor all bloody.”
Initially, I was shocked when I read this statement. Of course, as a servant in the Kinnear household, Grace would not want to see a mess made. However, as James McDermott plots to kill Nancy and Kinnear, her only thought is on preserving the floors. Grace has had a tough life filled with struggle and the loss of loved ones, but I would never think of her being so heartless.
She justifies her statement by saying that since cleaning the floors was one of her routine tasks, she did not want to see blood ruin the carpets. But I doubt Grace was naive enough to think that she would have to scrub the carpets free from evidence or else be punished by her employer (in fact, it was his blood that was spilled).
I don’t know whether this came out of the confusion of the moment or Grace’s shock surrounding the situation, but it made her character seem heartless.
“Oh, for God’s sake don’t kill her in the room. I said, you will make the floor all bloody.”
Initially, I was shocked when I read this statement. Of course, as a servant in the Kinnear household, Grace would not want to see a mess made. However, as James McDermott plots to kill Nancy and Kinnear, her only thought is on preserving the floors. Grace has had a tough life filled with struggle and the loss of loved ones, but I would never think of her being so heartless.
She justifies her statement by saying that since cleaning the floors was one of her routine tasks, she did not want to see blood ruin the carpets. But I doubt Grace was naive enough to think that she would have to scrub the carpets free from evidence or else be punished by her employer (in fact, it was his blood that was spilled).
I don’t know whether this came out of the confusion of the moment or Grace’s shock surrounding the situation, but it made her character seem heartless.
Trapped
Grace is often visited by her good friend Mary Whitney in a dreams.
Grace had dreamed about Mary in the past, often revisiting the happier
times the two shared together before Mary’s death. The dreams provided
her with a sense of comfort during the difficult time; dealing with
Nancy, the murders, her trial, and her time spent being shuffled between
the Asylum and prison.
However, one dream is not as pleasant. In this particular one, Mary appears to Grace in Mr. Kinnear’s bedroom. Grace believes that she can see Mary’s heart through her nightdress, but it is actually the needle-case she made as a Christmas gift. Grace takes this as a sign that Mary had not forgotten her kindness, since the needle-case was put in the casket upon her burial.
Then, Grace notices that in Mary’s hand in a jar which holds a firefly glowing in the dark. Grace retells how Mary, “took her hand from the top of the glass, and the firefly came out and darted about the room; and [Grace] knew that this was [Mary’s] soul, and it was trying to find its way out, but the window was shut; and then [she] could not see where it was gone.”
One of the themes that I have noticed throughout “Alias Grace” is imprisonment. Most obviously, Grace is held accountable for the murders by being sent to jail. Grace is also held prisoner by her own thoughts. Since she cannot remember whether she committed the crimes or not, she has no way to help prove her innocence since the memories do not exist. Also, we see the theme of imprisonment with the different deaths throughout the novel. Mrs. Marks died in the hull of the ship and the according to the myth, her soul would be trapped below and left to wander back and forth across the ocean unless it could escape through an open window. Similarly, Nancy’s body is thrown into the basement after the murder and presumably the same myth of the escaping soul exists. In the quote from Grace’s dream, Mary’s soul experiences the similar torment of looking for an escape. It is clear that all three of these women struggled to live outside the oppression set forth onto them by society. Mrs. Marks died trying to make a new life for herself and her family in North America, but died to the poor conditions she was subjected to as a second-class citizen. Nancy, who although seemed to bring much of the trouble upon herself, tried to defy social ranks by having an affair with her employer. She ran the household without being recognized as the “woman of the house”. Lastly, Mary Whitney was a girl who fell in love and was harshly betrayed due to her social standing. All three women were trapped both in life and death.
However, one dream is not as pleasant. In this particular one, Mary appears to Grace in Mr. Kinnear’s bedroom. Grace believes that she can see Mary’s heart through her nightdress, but it is actually the needle-case she made as a Christmas gift. Grace takes this as a sign that Mary had not forgotten her kindness, since the needle-case was put in the casket upon her burial.
Then, Grace notices that in Mary’s hand in a jar which holds a firefly glowing in the dark. Grace retells how Mary, “took her hand from the top of the glass, and the firefly came out and darted about the room; and [Grace] knew that this was [Mary’s] soul, and it was trying to find its way out, but the window was shut; and then [she] could not see where it was gone.”
One of the themes that I have noticed throughout “Alias Grace” is imprisonment. Most obviously, Grace is held accountable for the murders by being sent to jail. Grace is also held prisoner by her own thoughts. Since she cannot remember whether she committed the crimes or not, she has no way to help prove her innocence since the memories do not exist. Also, we see the theme of imprisonment with the different deaths throughout the novel. Mrs. Marks died in the hull of the ship and the according to the myth, her soul would be trapped below and left to wander back and forth across the ocean unless it could escape through an open window. Similarly, Nancy’s body is thrown into the basement after the murder and presumably the same myth of the escaping soul exists. In the quote from Grace’s dream, Mary’s soul experiences the similar torment of looking for an escape. It is clear that all three of these women struggled to live outside the oppression set forth onto them by society. Mrs. Marks died trying to make a new life for herself and her family in North America, but died to the poor conditions she was subjected to as a second-class citizen. Nancy, who although seemed to bring much of the trouble upon herself, tried to defy social ranks by having an affair with her employer. She ran the household without being recognized as the “woman of the house”. Lastly, Mary Whitney was a girl who fell in love and was harshly betrayed due to her social standing. All three women were trapped both in life and death.
Negative Nancy
“Nancy was very changeable, two-faced you might call her, and it wasn’t easy to tell what she wanted from one hour to the next.”
In “Alias Grace”, we once again revisit the theme of split personalities. It is not only Grace and Dr. Jordan who struggle to set foot in one sense of self. Nancy also experiences the back-and-forth nature of determining her true self and the persona she displays to the world. Perhaps she had bothered to make one of those sides a little nicer, her untimely end would have been avoided.
Nancy aspires to be the lady of the house. She asserts her power over the other servants in the Kinnear household, giving orders in harsh tones and creating an unhappy environment for everyone. She makes an effort to wear nicer dresses, scarves, and gloves. We know that dress was a very strong indicator of wealth during that time and Nancy did her best to appear as if she belonged to a higher class than she actually did. Kinnear provides some luxuries for his mistress, including cosmetics and jewelry. He allows for her to eat with him and the two partake in the extramarital affair that eventually leads to her pregnancy. All of these actions help to build Nancy’s false sense of privilege. Without being Mr. Kinnear’s wife, it is Nancy who is the woman of the house.
However, she is still a servant who fears her position being taken by Grace. Grace is a beautiful, young girl who comes to the house and attracts the attention of the males. Grace recounts how, “[Nancy] said there was something about me that made her uneasy, and she wondered whether I was quite right, as she’d several times heard me talking out loud to myself.” And although Nancy allows Grace to sleep in her bed when Mr. Kinnear is out of town and lends her clothing to wear to church, Nancy is still intimidated by Grace’s presence in the house. This becomes especially apparent when Nancy becomes pregnant and fears that Kinnear will lose interest in her and chose Grace as his next mistress. Much of this resentment appears through Nancy’s actions and words towards Grace, which become the strongest pieces of evidence to prove Grace’s motive in the murder.
So, Nancy’s struggle comes from a desire for power. Many of the characters throughout this novel grapple with their place in society and the control that they have or do not have over their own lives. I believe that Nancy is one of the best examples of Atwood’s use of the theme of power. Power comes in different forms and can lead to the rise or destruction of a person’s life.
In “Alias Grace”, we once again revisit the theme of split personalities. It is not only Grace and Dr. Jordan who struggle to set foot in one sense of self. Nancy also experiences the back-and-forth nature of determining her true self and the persona she displays to the world. Perhaps she had bothered to make one of those sides a little nicer, her untimely end would have been avoided.
Nancy aspires to be the lady of the house. She asserts her power over the other servants in the Kinnear household, giving orders in harsh tones and creating an unhappy environment for everyone. She makes an effort to wear nicer dresses, scarves, and gloves. We know that dress was a very strong indicator of wealth during that time and Nancy did her best to appear as if she belonged to a higher class than she actually did. Kinnear provides some luxuries for his mistress, including cosmetics and jewelry. He allows for her to eat with him and the two partake in the extramarital affair that eventually leads to her pregnancy. All of these actions help to build Nancy’s false sense of privilege. Without being Mr. Kinnear’s wife, it is Nancy who is the woman of the house.
However, she is still a servant who fears her position being taken by Grace. Grace is a beautiful, young girl who comes to the house and attracts the attention of the males. Grace recounts how, “[Nancy] said there was something about me that made her uneasy, and she wondered whether I was quite right, as she’d several times heard me talking out loud to myself.” And although Nancy allows Grace to sleep in her bed when Mr. Kinnear is out of town and lends her clothing to wear to church, Nancy is still intimidated by Grace’s presence in the house. This becomes especially apparent when Nancy becomes pregnant and fears that Kinnear will lose interest in her and chose Grace as his next mistress. Much of this resentment appears through Nancy’s actions and words towards Grace, which become the strongest pieces of evidence to prove Grace’s motive in the murder.
So, Nancy’s struggle comes from a desire for power. Many of the characters throughout this novel grapple with their place in society and the control that they have or do not have over their own lives. I believe that Nancy is one of the best examples of Atwood’s use of the theme of power. Power comes in different forms and can lead to the rise or destruction of a person’s life.
(The only thing worse than a Negative Nancy is a Debbie Downer! Womp womp!)
The Feminist Insight of Mary Whitney
One of the major themes of “Alias Grace” is the role of women in
Victorian society. Although Grace has some fantastic insights, Mary
Whitney is the character who influences Grace’s “radical” thoughts about
the position of women.
Grace recalls when Mary tells her, “there are some of the masters who think you owe them service twenty-four hours a day, and you should do the main work flat on your back.”
Once again, Atwood’s satire has me laughing out loud while reading.
Although I found this quote to be humorous, it is sad that we see this very clearly in Nancy’s relationship with Mr. Kinnear. For women, it is nearly impossible to move throughout the social classes without harsh judgement or alienation. Dr. Jordan’s family lost all of their wealth but still maintained their high social standing, yet when Mary Whitney falls in love with one of Mrs. Alderson-Parkinson’s sons, she is betrayed when he leaves her because she is merely a maid. I believe that Atwood allows for the reader to make their own comparisons between the situations the characters fall into.
Grace recalls when Mary tells her, “there are some of the masters who think you owe them service twenty-four hours a day, and you should do the main work flat on your back.”
Once again, Atwood’s satire has me laughing out loud while reading.
Although I found this quote to be humorous, it is sad that we see this very clearly in Nancy’s relationship with Mr. Kinnear. For women, it is nearly impossible to move throughout the social classes without harsh judgement or alienation. Dr. Jordan’s family lost all of their wealth but still maintained their high social standing, yet when Mary Whitney falls in love with one of Mrs. Alderson-Parkinson’s sons, she is betrayed when he leaves her because she is merely a maid. I believe that Atwood allows for the reader to make their own comparisons between the situations the characters fall into.
The Role of Mary Whitney
I believe that Grace is incredibly strong-willed for dealing with her
incarceration and the rumors created about her guilt. However, I think
that she gained many of her positive attributes from the influence of
Mary Whitney.
When Grace begins working at the Parkinson’s, she meets her friend and confidant, Mary. Mary serves as a guide and protector, acting with a maternal instinct towards Grace. After Mrs. Marks dies on the journey to Canada, Grace was left without a strong female figure in her life. She even says in the novel, “Mary too me under her wing from the very first.” Mary gives her physical care such as clothes and food but also provides as emotional support. She shares her “wisdom” with Grace about their duties of the house. Mary advises Grace that she “should remember that [they] were not slaves, and being a servant was not as thing [they] were born to, nor would [they] be forced to continue at it forever; it was just a job of work.”
Another crucial fact about the friendship between Mary Whitney and Grace Marks occurs after Mary’s untimely death. Grace had to make the decision whether or not to wrap her mother’s body in their family’s finest sheet, and she chose not to. When Mary died, Grace devoted her wage to giving her friend the nicest funeral she possibly could. This parallel shows how Grace chooses to pay her respects to the women who influenced her life. Since she was unable to give her mother the amount of reverence she deserved, Grace was able to pay tribute to Mary Whitney and gain her own sense of closure.
When Grace begins working at the Parkinson’s, she meets her friend and confidant, Mary. Mary serves as a guide and protector, acting with a maternal instinct towards Grace. After Mrs. Marks dies on the journey to Canada, Grace was left without a strong female figure in her life. She even says in the novel, “Mary too me under her wing from the very first.” Mary gives her physical care such as clothes and food but also provides as emotional support. She shares her “wisdom” with Grace about their duties of the house. Mary advises Grace that she “should remember that [they] were not slaves, and being a servant was not as thing [they] were born to, nor would [they] be forced to continue at it forever; it was just a job of work.”
Another crucial fact about the friendship between Mary Whitney and Grace Marks occurs after Mary’s untimely death. Grace had to make the decision whether or not to wrap her mother’s body in their family’s finest sheet, and she chose not to. When Mary died, Grace devoted her wage to giving her friend the nicest funeral she possibly could. This parallel shows how Grace chooses to pay her respects to the women who influenced her life. Since she was unable to give her mother the amount of reverence she deserved, Grace was able to pay tribute to Mary Whitney and gain her own sense of closure.
Crushes
Jordan jumps to quick conclusions when he meets Miss Lydia, and
imagines her to be they type of woman his mother would want him to
marry. I think it is a bit strange that after only meeting the girl
once, he imagines what it would be like to have her as his wife. And
still, the mental image is not even the nicest. Jordan thinks, “he
could choose one of her proffered young ladies, the richest one. His
daily life would be orderly, his breakfasts would be edible, his
children would be respectful. The act of procreation would be undergone
unseen, prudently veiled in white cotton- she, dutiful but properly
averse, he within his rights- but need never be mentioned. His some
would have all the modern comforts, and he himself would he sheltered in
velvet. There are worse fates.”
For most men of the time, the life that Jordan described would be the ideal. We witness the conversations Jordan has with Grace; he grows compassionate towards a woman who does not fit society’s standards of “respectable.” I think that Jordan’s upbringing has somehow tainted his perception of women and what he finds to be attractive. Growing up with a controlling mother who imposed the principles and values of women into his mind, Simon Jordan is now rebelling against those constructs, much like Grace did herself. He finds himself attracted to her indignation and self-reliance, but conveniently overlooking the fact that she is convicted of murder.
For most men of the time, the life that Jordan described would be the ideal. We witness the conversations Jordan has with Grace; he grows compassionate towards a woman who does not fit society’s standards of “respectable.” I think that Jordan’s upbringing has somehow tainted his perception of women and what he finds to be attractive. Growing up with a controlling mother who imposed the principles and values of women into his mind, Simon Jordan is now rebelling against those constructs, much like Grace did herself. He finds himself attracted to her indignation and self-reliance, but conveniently overlooking the fact that she is convicted of murder.
Literary Illusions
I think one of the best tools an author can use to convey meaning is
to reference another famous work of literature. Although they run the
risk of alienating readers who have not read either pieces or weaving a
connection that is not obvious, literary illusions are like inside jokes
between you and the author. It is like reliving a funny moment between
two friends or connecting over shared experiences. In “Alias Grace”,
Margaret Atwood includes a reference to William Shakespear’s play,
“Hamlet” in a letter from Dr. Samuel Bannerling to Dr. Jordan.
In his adamant warning against Dr. Jordan’s connection with Grace, he claims that her hallucinations and lack of memory are an act. With “Ophelia’s wildflowers entwined in her hair; but she did well enough without them, as she managed to deceive…Mrs. Moody…also several of [his] own colleagues.”
I love that Atwood included this reference to Ophelia. Ophelia serves an important role in “Hamlet” to show the limited choices of women and how their emotions are often viewed as consuming madness. Ophelia is torn between two sides; her father, who believes that Hamlet will ‘steal’ is daughter’s virginity and thus ruin her chances at marriage and Hamlet, with whom she has fallen in love and desperately wants to love her in return. Much like Grace, Ophelia is without a mother and without the maternal guidance to help her maneuver her way through a world controlled by the exploitation of women. Ultimately, Ophelia’s desire for Hamlet’s love drives her mad and she is believed to have drowned herself out of desperation.
Is Grace destined for the same path at Ophelia? Unlike Mary Whitney and Nancy, who followed their hearts in hopes of being led to a life of love and were betrayed, Grace has managed to remain free from that fate. However, she is still as conflicted as Ophelia. Although she claims to be unsure of the details of the murder of Kinnear and Nancy, she is responsible for how much she reveals to the doctors. She admittedly holds some details back from Dr. Jordan and leaves the readers questioning whether or not she is truly as innocent as she claims. Unlike Ophelia who was driven to madness due to an internal conflict based from love, Grace’s struggled comes from her indecision (or incapability) to revealing the truth.
In his adamant warning against Dr. Jordan’s connection with Grace, he claims that her hallucinations and lack of memory are an act. With “Ophelia’s wildflowers entwined in her hair; but she did well enough without them, as she managed to deceive…Mrs. Moody…also several of [his] own colleagues.”
I love that Atwood included this reference to Ophelia. Ophelia serves an important role in “Hamlet” to show the limited choices of women and how their emotions are often viewed as consuming madness. Ophelia is torn between two sides; her father, who believes that Hamlet will ‘steal’ is daughter’s virginity and thus ruin her chances at marriage and Hamlet, with whom she has fallen in love and desperately wants to love her in return. Much like Grace, Ophelia is without a mother and without the maternal guidance to help her maneuver her way through a world controlled by the exploitation of women. Ultimately, Ophelia’s desire for Hamlet’s love drives her mad and she is believed to have drowned herself out of desperation.
Is Grace destined for the same path at Ophelia? Unlike Mary Whitney and Nancy, who followed their hearts in hopes of being led to a life of love and were betrayed, Grace has managed to remain free from that fate. However, she is still as conflicted as Ophelia. Although she claims to be unsure of the details of the murder of Kinnear and Nancy, she is responsible for how much she reveals to the doctors. She admittedly holds some details back from Dr. Jordan and leaves the readers questioning whether or not she is truly as innocent as she claims. Unlike Ophelia who was driven to madness due to an internal conflict based from love, Grace’s struggled comes from her indecision (or incapability) to revealing the truth.
Connecting the theme of mandess to Grace Marks
One of the common themes we have seen throughout our semester in
World Literature is madness. We have observed true madness, false
madness, and the various ways that society perceives those who have been
given the label.
In “Alias Grace”, Atwood poses the question as to whether or not Grace Marks is a murder. For many of us, murder and madness go hand-in-hand. The thought of taking another human life is outside the boundaries of acceptable behavior in society, yet still murder is something that we see every night on the evening news. The novel is set in the mid-1800’s in Canada when the nation was just being settled by Europeans. Despite the strict guidelines for social behavior in higher classes, it was still very much a lawless frontier in many aspects. So, the concept of right and wrong may have been blurred due to different factors.
However, a woman committing murder must have only meant one thing; madness. Men were responsible for protecting their land, their dignity, their families. Yet women were supposed to be treated like second-class citizens and understand that it was their “role” in society. Although I do not support the killing of other people, I do find it interesting that Grace and the other women in the asylum were treated differently because they were “murderesses”. (I will comment on the idea of hysteria in a post a bit later!)
Grace’s conversations with Dr. Jordan act as a form of therapy. She remarks how she feels at ease with him and that recalling parts of her tragic life story are not so painful when she is speaking with him. Yet, Grace says:
“And underneath that is another feeling still, a feeling like being torn open; not like a body of flesh, it is not painful as such, but like a peach; and not even torn open, but too ripe and splitting open of its own accord. And inside the peach there’s a stone.”
I believe this is a much more real representation of madness, rather than those constructed by society that are so prevalent in this novel. Grace feels herself splitting on her “own accord” due to the factors that have brought her imprisonment. Whether those factors are guilt for the murders or the struggle to prove her innocence, it is clearly taking its toll on Grace.
In “Alias Grace”, Atwood poses the question as to whether or not Grace Marks is a murder. For many of us, murder and madness go hand-in-hand. The thought of taking another human life is outside the boundaries of acceptable behavior in society, yet still murder is something that we see every night on the evening news. The novel is set in the mid-1800’s in Canada when the nation was just being settled by Europeans. Despite the strict guidelines for social behavior in higher classes, it was still very much a lawless frontier in many aspects. So, the concept of right and wrong may have been blurred due to different factors.
However, a woman committing murder must have only meant one thing; madness. Men were responsible for protecting their land, their dignity, their families. Yet women were supposed to be treated like second-class citizens and understand that it was their “role” in society. Although I do not support the killing of other people, I do find it interesting that Grace and the other women in the asylum were treated differently because they were “murderesses”. (I will comment on the idea of hysteria in a post a bit later!)
Grace’s conversations with Dr. Jordan act as a form of therapy. She remarks how she feels at ease with him and that recalling parts of her tragic life story are not so painful when she is speaking with him. Yet, Grace says:
“And underneath that is another feeling still, a feeling like being torn open; not like a body of flesh, it is not painful as such, but like a peach; and not even torn open, but too ripe and splitting open of its own accord. And inside the peach there’s a stone.”
I believe this is a much more real representation of madness, rather than those constructed by society that are so prevalent in this novel. Grace feels herself splitting on her “own accord” due to the factors that have brought her imprisonment. Whether those factors are guilt for the murders or the struggle to prove her innocence, it is clearly taking its toll on Grace.
Trust
As I read “Alias Grace”, I am struggling to trust Dr. Jordan. I want
to trust him and I want to know in my heart that his intentions with
Grace are good. As they meet for their conversations, I desire for a
bond to form between the two. After reading about all of the suffering
and loss that Grace experienced so early in life, I have become attached
to her character and currently, I am hoping for her innocence and her
absolution. One quote that provided me with the most hope:
“In the courtrooms, every word that came out of my mouth was as if burnt into the paper they were writing it on, and once I said a thing I knew I could never get the words back; only they were the wrong words, because whatever I said I would be twisted around, even if it was the plain truth in the first place. And it was the same with Dr. Bannerling at the Asylum. But now I feel as if everything I say is right. As long as I say something, anything at all, Dr. Jordan smiles and writes it down, and tells me I am doing well.
While he writes, I feel as if he is drawing me; or not drawing me, drawing on me- drawing on my skin- not with the pencil he is using, but with an old-fashioned goose pen, and not with the quill end but the feather end. As if hundreds of butterflies have settled all over my face, and are softly opening and closing their wings.”
Wow.
Dr. Jordan gives Grace something she has been denied since she was convicted; humanity. He listens to her on a more personal level than any of the others she has encountered since Mary Whitney. Despite my wishes, I am predicting that Dr. Jordan will not always remain so understand and loyal to Grace. As a scientist, he wants results to be produced from the time and effort that he is putting into the case. I only hope that the tragedy in Grace’s life does not continue.
“In the courtrooms, every word that came out of my mouth was as if burnt into the paper they were writing it on, and once I said a thing I knew I could never get the words back; only they were the wrong words, because whatever I said I would be twisted around, even if it was the plain truth in the first place. And it was the same with Dr. Bannerling at the Asylum. But now I feel as if everything I say is right. As long as I say something, anything at all, Dr. Jordan smiles and writes it down, and tells me I am doing well.
While he writes, I feel as if he is drawing me; or not drawing me, drawing on me- drawing on my skin- not with the pencil he is using, but with an old-fashioned goose pen, and not with the quill end but the feather end. As if hundreds of butterflies have settled all over my face, and are softly opening and closing their wings.”
Wow.
Dr. Jordan gives Grace something she has been denied since she was convicted; humanity. He listens to her on a more personal level than any of the others she has encountered since Mary Whitney. Despite my wishes, I am predicting that Dr. Jordan will not always remain so understand and loyal to Grace. As a scientist, he wants results to be produced from the time and effort that he is putting into the case. I only hope that the tragedy in Grace’s life does not continue.
The the chapter “Puss in the Corner”, Grace meets Dr. Simon
Jordan for the first time. Both people have made preconcieved notions
about the other based on rumor. Grace’s experiences with doctors in the
past have been far from pleasant and Dr. Jordan has been warned that she
is a psycopath and not to be trusted. In their first meeting, Dr.
Jordan makes somewhat of a peace offering to Grace, which I initially
found strange until I realized the symbolism behind the gesture. He
gives her an apple, which may seem simplistic but it holds much more
meaning. Since the prisoners are given basic life-sustaining rations
like bread and water, an apple is like a treat to Grace. She even
remarks that, “the apple looks to me like a big round drop of water,
cool and red. I could drink it down in one gulp.” It also reminds her of
the game she played with Mary Whitney; throwing the apple peels over
their shoulders to find out who they would marry. However, I think that
the apple that Dr. Jordan offers to Grace draws parallels to the
biblical story of Adam and Eve. When the devil came to Eve in the form
of a snake and offered her an apple from the Tree of Knowledge
(although, it has been historically proven that if the story is true, it
would not have been an apple, but a more tropical fruit…) she takes it
and loses her innocence. Dr. Jordan is visiting Grace to discover the
truth behind the horrific murders. He is using the apple as a means of
understanding, almost like a “truce” to get her to trust him. I wonder
if Atwood will take this metaphor to the end of the novel and how she
will conclude the myth of Simon and Grace!
While writing this, I kept typing ‘apple’, which made me think of Fiona Apple. Coincidentally, she has a song called “Criminal”, which I think Grace Marks would buy on iTunes, had Apple Products existed in her time!!
While writing this, I kept typing ‘apple’, which made me think of Fiona Apple. Coincidentally, she has a song called “Criminal”, which I think Grace Marks would buy on iTunes, had Apple Products existed in her time!!
A Killer by Any Other Name
From what I have read so far, Grace is not your “typical” killer.
After reading the story about her mother dying at sea, plethora of
siblings in desperate need of care, and her distant father who insists
she go out to earn a living, I can’t help but feel empathy for her.
However, we are still left wondering whether or not she did, in fact,
take Nancy’s life. The newspapers collected by the Governor’s wife
helps to shed some insight to Grace’s own view on her notorious
reputation. The articles run about the murder captivated society
because she is a “celebrated murderess.”
As Grace says, “Murderess is a strong word to have attached to you. It has a smell to it, that word-musky and oppressive, like dead flowers in a vase. Sometimes at night I whisper it over to myself: Murderess, Murderess. It rustles, like a taffeta skirt across the floor. Murderer is merely brutal. It’s like a hammer, a lump of metal. I would rather be a murderess than a murderer, if those are the only choices.”
This quote says so much about Grace’s character. Her metaphor connecting the word to a vase of dead flowers really struck me a something significant. With the reoccurring theme of flowers appearing throughout the novel, a vase of flowers represents luxury and beauty. However, when the flowers die and turn brown, it represents the corruption that taking another human life has on the soul. The fact that Grace is even contemplating the term cast upon her by society makes me question her guilt. She seems to take the name personally, grasping to understand how her identity is forever changed by it. The crime was committed when she was still very young, it is impossible for it not to have affected her personality.
I also think the last line of the quote reveals much about Grace as well. She would much rather be deemed a murderess rather than a murderer, due to its more “gentle” nature. Despite the horrific act that she is guilty of having committed, she is still protecting her femininity. Since women were second-class citizens during this time, I find it interesting how Grace protects her identity in the scope of gender. If she had to choose, she would keep the more “compassionate” term!
As Grace says, “Murderess is a strong word to have attached to you. It has a smell to it, that word-musky and oppressive, like dead flowers in a vase. Sometimes at night I whisper it over to myself: Murderess, Murderess. It rustles, like a taffeta skirt across the floor. Murderer is merely brutal. It’s like a hammer, a lump of metal. I would rather be a murderess than a murderer, if those are the only choices.”
This quote says so much about Grace’s character. Her metaphor connecting the word to a vase of dead flowers really struck me a something significant. With the reoccurring theme of flowers appearing throughout the novel, a vase of flowers represents luxury and beauty. However, when the flowers die and turn brown, it represents the corruption that taking another human life has on the soul. The fact that Grace is even contemplating the term cast upon her by society makes me question her guilt. She seems to take the name personally, grasping to understand how her identity is forever changed by it. The crime was committed when she was still very young, it is impossible for it not to have affected her personality.
I also think the last line of the quote reveals much about Grace as well. She would much rather be deemed a murderess rather than a murderer, due to its more “gentle” nature. Despite the horrific act that she is guilty of having committed, she is still protecting her femininity. Since women were second-class citizens during this time, I find it interesting how Grace protects her identity in the scope of gender. If she had to choose, she would keep the more “compassionate” term!
Strange Scrapbooking
When I think of 19th century Canada, I don’t exactly conjure
images of exciting arts and crafts. However, the Governor’s wife’s
scrapbook was one of the symbols that I saw in “Alias Grace”. Rather
than pressed flowers or family photographs, “what it has instead is all
the famous criminals in it, the ones that have been hanged…” This
twisted book of mementos represents the way society views the actions of
criminals and dehumanizes them. Grace is also a criminal and pieces of
her trial were published in newspapers for the community to interpret
and piece together. The media presented a version of Grace that she had
no control over, one that made her out to me a murderess. Although the
readers of the novel know that the accusations of her being an “inhuman
female demon” or “little better than an idiot” are untrue, the readers
of the newspaper article during that time are left to make up their own
opinions. Atwood leaves the readers of “Alias Grace” to make up their
own minds about Grace’s innocence or guilt, complied in a novel rather
than a scrapbook.
A Laughable Moment Amidst Murder
I briefly discussed this quote in class, but I wanted to further elaborate on my thoughts.
It’s not very often that a book about murder makes you laugh. In the chapter, “Puss in the Corner”, Grace describes what it is like to be in the Governor’s home, particularly with his scrapbooking wife. Women in high society dressed a certain way, following etiquette of the times, much to Grace’s dismay. As a maid, she did not own an elaborate dress like the wives of well-to-do men in society. Grace’s commentary on the subject was what caused me to laugh out loud while reading in the quiet library:
“They are like birdcages; but what is being caged in? Legs, the legs of ladies; legs penned in so they cannot get out and go rubbing up against the gentlemen’s trousers. The Governor’s wife never says legs, although the newspapers said legs when they were talking about Nancy, with her dead legs sticking out from under the washtub.”
This struck me as hilarious for a few reasons; Grace finds the fashion just as ridiculous as any 21st century woman. Why must women hide their legs? Similarly, why must women today be labeled as “slut” or “prude” depending on their clothing choices? Grace sees the humor in the matter of covering up human body parts for the sake of perceived modesty and I really enjoy that Atwood gives her character this modern (or perhaps not-so-modern) personality trait. Secondly, I enjoy Grace’s connection between the arbitrary little details of the Governor’s wife’s wardrobe to the one matter that changed her life the most. I think it shows Grace as a human being capable of humor, even if it is about the murder of which she is accused of committing.
It’s not very often that a book about murder makes you laugh. In the chapter, “Puss in the Corner”, Grace describes what it is like to be in the Governor’s home, particularly with his scrapbooking wife. Women in high society dressed a certain way, following etiquette of the times, much to Grace’s dismay. As a maid, she did not own an elaborate dress like the wives of well-to-do men in society. Grace’s commentary on the subject was what caused me to laugh out loud while reading in the quiet library:
“They are like birdcages; but what is being caged in? Legs, the legs of ladies; legs penned in so they cannot get out and go rubbing up against the gentlemen’s trousers. The Governor’s wife never says legs, although the newspapers said legs when they were talking about Nancy, with her dead legs sticking out from under the washtub.”
This struck me as hilarious for a few reasons; Grace finds the fashion just as ridiculous as any 21st century woman. Why must women hide their legs? Similarly, why must women today be labeled as “slut” or “prude” depending on their clothing choices? Grace sees the humor in the matter of covering up human body parts for the sake of perceived modesty and I really enjoy that Atwood gives her character this modern (or perhaps not-so-modern) personality trait. Secondly, I enjoy Grace’s connection between the arbitrary little details of the Governor’s wife’s wardrobe to the one matter that changed her life the most. I think it shows Grace as a human being capable of humor, even if it is about the murder of which she is accused of committing.
(Angelina has no plans to keep her leg caged!)
The Importance of Peonies
In our past readings in World Literature, we have encountered
symbolism in the form of various flowers, most notably, “A Sea of
Blood-red Azaleas” which centers on the multi-dimensional meaning of the
small, red flowers in Taiwan and China. Once again, we see the
significance of the flower in “Alias Grace.”
The novel begins with the line, “Out of the gavel there are peonies growing.” Immediately, we are confronted with the image of the peony, a flower native to parts of North America and Europe which often blooms in shades of red, white, purple, and pink. The flowers are coming up through the gravel, the rough stone which make up the path. I think it is interesting that Atwood choose this imagery of a delicate flower coming up unlikely circumstances. We know that most types of flowers need the right conditions, particularly soft soil, to flourish, so perhaps Atwood chose to have peonies growing form the gravel to symbolize life prospering in harsh conditions.
I was curious as to Atwood’s decision to make the flowers peonies, I Googled the symbolism of peonies in various cultures. According to TeleFlora.com, the significance of peonies dates back to Greek mythology. One story tells of Paeon, a physician to the gods who brought the flower to Mount Olympus. Many other tales exist in Easter cultures that claim the peony to be a “flower of honor.” Also, in the Language of Flowers, peonies hold the meaning of bashfulness, due to the myth that woodland nymphs would hide in the pillow-like pedals. Since they are often grown for ornamental purposes, peonies are also considered to be a symbol of high class.
It is interesting what Grace goes on to say later in the chapter
about the peonies as she walks past them and, “reach[es] out [her] hand
to touch one. It has a dry feeling, and [she] realize[s] it’s made of
cloth.” I believe the flower being made of cloth symbolizes the
constructed reality in Grace’s story. Although the flowers are so
beautiful and seem so real, they are really fake. Throughout the story,
the reader is left questioning what truth will come from Grace’s
stories and how much she keeps from Dr. Jordan, as well as what she will
even keep from admitting to herself. Although flowers appear in many
aspects of the stories, this particular passage really struck me as a
way for Atwood to set the stage of false perceptions.
The novel begins with the line, “Out of the gavel there are peonies growing.” Immediately, we are confronted with the image of the peony, a flower native to parts of North America and Europe which often blooms in shades of red, white, purple, and pink. The flowers are coming up through the gravel, the rough stone which make up the path. I think it is interesting that Atwood choose this imagery of a delicate flower coming up unlikely circumstances. We know that most types of flowers need the right conditions, particularly soft soil, to flourish, so perhaps Atwood chose to have peonies growing form the gravel to symbolize life prospering in harsh conditions.
I was curious as to Atwood’s decision to make the flowers peonies, I Googled the symbolism of peonies in various cultures. According to TeleFlora.com, the significance of peonies dates back to Greek mythology. One story tells of Paeon, a physician to the gods who brought the flower to Mount Olympus. Many other tales exist in Easter cultures that claim the peony to be a “flower of honor.” Also, in the Language of Flowers, peonies hold the meaning of bashfulness, due to the myth that woodland nymphs would hide in the pillow-like pedals. Since they are often grown for ornamental purposes, peonies are also considered to be a symbol of high class.
First Post!
First post! Hooray!
I wanted to make sure that this blog is not necessarily text-heavy (although that’s the assignment! Oops!) so I made my way over to Google Images to see what the Internet has to offer for ‘Alias Grace’. There were many images of the various novel covers and even some head shots of Margaret Atwood, but I found this one to be the most interesting. I have always loved looking at fan art and this is no exception! Some people disagree, but I like to have a little help forming a picture of book characters in my head as I begin to read. This image of Grace Marks will stick with me as I take on this novel.
I like the artist’s use of the worn parchment paper and the small, delicate handwriting over Grace. The words could symbolize her internal confession and the secret history that she holds. Plus, the obvious blood splatters above her act could mean the sentence hanging over her, looming for the rest of her life.
I’m glad I found this image!
Although I have never read any other works by Margaret Atwood, I am excited to begin “Alias Grace”. I have heard many great things about the novel and that it can be analyzed through different scopes of literature. This historical piece sheds light on the circumstances of a developing nation as well as the cultural perceptions of women and women criminals.
I wanted to make sure that this blog is not necessarily text-heavy (although that’s the assignment! Oops!) so I made my way over to Google Images to see what the Internet has to offer for ‘Alias Grace’. There were many images of the various novel covers and even some head shots of Margaret Atwood, but I found this one to be the most interesting. I have always loved looking at fan art and this is no exception! Some people disagree, but I like to have a little help forming a picture of book characters in my head as I begin to read. This image of Grace Marks will stick with me as I take on this novel.
I like the artist’s use of the worn parchment paper and the small, delicate handwriting over Grace. The words could symbolize her internal confession and the secret history that she holds. Plus, the obvious blood splatters above her act could mean the sentence hanging over her, looming for the rest of her life.
I’m glad I found this image!
Although I have never read any other works by Margaret Atwood, I am excited to begin “Alias Grace”. I have heard many great things about the novel and that it can be analyzed through different scopes of literature. This historical piece sheds light on the circumstances of a developing nation as well as the cultural perceptions of women and women criminals.
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