Margaret atwood rape fantasies Essay Example

Margaret atwood rape fantasies Paper Atwood uses a temporal setting, a feminine first person point of view, irony, and allusion to warn readers of the vulnerability that comes from naivety and the downplay of ape. The setting is temporal. The womens liberation movement is thriving in the sass. Media is beginning to pay attention to non-superficial womens issues: The way theyre going on about it in the magazines youd think it was just invented, and not only that but i?s something terrific, like a vaccine for cancer (31). Magazines are beginning to advocate the Equal Rights Amendment, to converse about womens issues, to put domestic violence and sexual harassment on the cover of a womens magazine, and to feature a national study on date rape. History suggests women do not have or should to have sexual desires: But if youre being totally honest you cant count those as rape fantasies (34). Estelle and her coworkers label their sexual fantasies as rape to take away the sense of being personally responsible for their desires. The temporal setting occurs during the time feminine issues headline the media: So at work they all have to talk about it because no matter what magazine you open, there it is, staring you right bungee the eyes, and theyre beginning to have it on television too(31). After decades of matriculation concerning feminine issues beyond the superficial the damn as been opened allowing the characters to discuss the taboo. We will write a custom essay sample on Margaret atwood rape fantasies specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Margaret atwood rape fantasies specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Margaret atwood rape fantasies specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Due to medias growing attention of serious issues like rape Christy is able to gain access to information that she parrots back to her work pals: Besides, all the articles say its better not to resist, that way you dont get and her co-workers are beginning to learn how to defend themselves in a rape scenario from the increasing media coverage on important issues like rape. Atwood uses the language device allusion: Im not what you would call a drinker but like to go out now and then for a drink of two in a nice place, even if I am by myself, Im with Womens Lib on that even though I cant agree with a lot of the other things they say (37). The author alludes to the Womens Liberation movement going on in the 1 sass to explain why the narrator feels confident enough to put herself in a vulnerable position with a potentially threatening male at a bar. Atwood uses the temporal setting to allow her characters to discuss rape, but not really know what they re talking about: Rape is when theyve got a knife or something and you dont want to(33) Estelle and her co-workers lack a mutual understanding of what rap is. The point of view is first person. Estelle has a very naive view of a rape scenario, she likes to use dark humor to lighten up the situation: Estelle assumes Sonars silence in the story is her being offended that she didnt a chance to share her rape fantasy: Sandra was miffed too, by this time SSL finished her celery and she wanted to tell about hers, but she hadnt got in fast Sonars silence can also be interpreted as the silence of rape victim. Atwood uses a first person point of view with a womens viewpoint to drive home the naivety the women have in the story concerning rape and the vulnerability that comes from their ignorance. There is a failing of communication between men and women in the story:But maybe its different for a guy'(36). Estelle lack of understanding of the male psyche leads to her vulnerability. Estelle believes ignorance is bliss: You cant Spence your whole life in the Filing Department or cooped up in your own apartment with all the doors and windows locked and the shades Her statement is correct; to lock yourself away from the world forever is ridiculous. The language devices used in the story are allusion and irony. - card game the ladies are playing alludes to the control, strategy, and manipulation skills Estelle feels she can possess during a rape scenario: So said one club, hoping Sandra would remember about the one club convention, because the time before when I used that she thought I really meant clubs, and she bid us up to three, and all I had was four little ones WI nothing higher than a six, and we went down two and on top of that we well vulnerable(31). Estelle belief of control and ability of manipulation in a game reflects the characteristics she holds in reality, which leads to her bell in a vulnerable position in the end. Another language device that Atwood u: s situational irony: So I ask him why doesnt he let me fix him a Neo-Citric and scotch, thats what I always take, you still have the cold but you dont fee it, so I do and we end up watching the Late Show together (35). Estelle fantasies begin as serious and twist Into absurdity, in the end of this scenes she is taking care of the man who attempted to sexually assault her. Tattoos use of allusion places adds realism to the story. The mention of the Virgin Mary is a biblical allusion to a lady who became pregnant by God instead of her swear all four of them looked at me like I was in b asset, like Id insulted the Virgin Mary or something (33). The women in the story were expected only to have marital relations like the Virgin May, so theyre using the rape fantasy to cover up their sexual desires. The author also uses a structural irony in Estelle rape fantasies: So I hand it to him AR hes very obliging, he twists the top off and hands it back to me, and I squirt him in the Estelle character is flawed in her belief a rapist will list. To their victim. Atwood use of irony both situational and structural is a warning to the readers that Estelle naivety leads her to a dangerous tuition: Like, how could a fellow do that to a person hes just had a long conversation with, once you let them know youre human, you have a life etc I dont see how they could go ahead with it, right? 37) Estelles fantasies left her vulnerable. Estelle is a real damsel in distress her ignorance on dangerous situations coupled with an over-confidence that she can control a harmful situation leads to her being left vulnerable. Tattoos use of first person point of vine for the reader to listen to a womens point of view. Estelle although naive when it comes to evading dangerous situations, gives the reader an u nderstanding of a females psyche regarding rape.