“The Blind Assassin” by Margaret Atwood is a novel that has captivated readers with its intricate plot and literary devices. The book tells the story of Iris Chase and her sister Laura, with the narrative alternating between Iris’s present-day experiences as an elderly woman and her memories of her childhood and early life. One of the most notable aspects of the novel is its use of allegory, which adds depth and complexity to the story.
Atwood uses allegory to explore themes of death, betrayal, and the human condition. The novel’s title, “The Blind Assassin,” is itself an allegory, referring to the character of Laura, who is a writer of science fiction stories. The title suggests that Laura is a storyteller who is “blind” to the truth of her own life and the lives of those around her.
Throughout the novel, Atwood weaves in other allegorical elements, such as the use of the color red to symbolize passion and danger, and the recurring motif of the “blind spot” to represent the things that characters are unable or unwilling to see. By using these literary devices, Atwood creates a rich and complex narrative that rewards careful reading and analysis.
Overview of ‘The Blind Assassin’
In “The Blind Assassin” by Margaret Atwood, readers are taken on a journey through the life of Iris Chase Griffen, an elderly woman who is preparing to present a creative writing award endowed in memory of her deceased sister, Laura. The novel is a complex narrative that weaves together multiple stories and genres, including historical fiction, romance, science fiction, and mystery.
At the heart of “The Blind Assassin” is the story of Laura’s death, which many believe to have been a suicide. Prior to her death, Laura wrote a novel called “The Blind Assassin,” which is interspersed throughout the narrative and tells the story of a forbidden love affair between two unnamed characters.
As the novel unfolds, readers are taken on a journey through multiple historical periods, including an invented science-fictional dimension of the universe. Atwood’s use of multiple narratives and genres allows her to explore themes of love, loss, betrayal, and redemption in a unique and thought-provoking way.
The Concept of Allegory
In literature, an allegory is a story or poem that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood is a great example of allegorical writing. Atwood uses the story of an elderly woman who is given a last confession of the unadmitted sins of her life to explore the theme of blindness.
Throughout the novel, Atwood uses various allegorical elements to convey the theme of blindness. For example, Iris Chase, the protagonist of the story, is blind to her own family’s secrets and the true nature of her sister’s death. This blindness is used to explore the theme of ignorance and the characters’ inability to see the truth about their own lives.
Another allegorical element in the novel is the book within the story, The Blind Assassin. This book symbolizes the impossibility of objective truth. The fact that the book is posthumously published under Laura Chase’s name further emphasizes the theme of blindness and the characters’ inability to see the truth.
Main Allegories in ‘The Blind Assassin’
The Novel Within the Novel
The Blind Assassin is a novel that contains a novel within it, which is an allegory for the life of Laura Chase. The novel within the novel is a science-fiction story that tells the tale of two lovers who are separated by war and social class. This story mirrors the relationship between Laura and her lover, Alex Thomas. The novel within the novel also represents the power of storytelling and how it can be used to escape reality.
The Looms and Textiles
The looms and textiles in The Blind Assassin are an allegory for the power dynamics between men and women. The textiles represent the women who are spun and woven into the fabric of society, while the looms represent the men who control the weaving. The protagonist, Iris Chase, breaks free from this dynamic by taking control of her family’s textile business and becoming a successful businesswoman.
The Science Fiction Story
The science fiction story within The Blind Assassin is an allegory for the dangers of technology and the consequences of playing god. The story is set in a dystopian future where humanity has destroyed the environment and is on the brink of extinction. The protagonist, a scientist, creates a creature that is meant to save humanity, but it ends up destroying the world instead. This story represents the dangers of unchecked scientific progress and the importance of ethical considerations.
The Relationships and Characters
The relationships and characters in The Blind Assassin are an allegory for the complex dynamics of family and love. The story explores the relationships between siblings, spouses, parents, and children, and how these relationships can be both nurturing and destructive. The characters are flawed and complex, and their struggles with love and loss are relatable to readers.
Margaret Atwood’s Writing Style
Margaret Atwood’s writing style in “The Blind Assassin” is a unique blend of first-person narrative and third-person limited omniscient. The story is told from the perspective of Iris Chase Griffen, who narrates the Chase family history and leads readers down her own aging path. Iris’s perspective allows the audience to learn about all the characters and their relationships.
Atwood’s writing style is characterized by her sharp wit and deep insights into human nature and society. She blends genres with ease, creating a mixture of historical fiction, romance, and science fiction, with a dash of mystery thrown in for good measure. The book takes readers on a journey through the 20th century, covering multiple historical periods, including an invented science-fictional dimension of the universe.
One of the most striking aspects of “The Blind Assassin” is the fact that it contains several stories within the overall narrative, which in turn allows it to cover a span of multiple historical periods. The use of another novel embedded within the main (frame) novel adds to the complexity of the story. This technique is similar to David Mitchell’s “Cloud Atlas.”
Themes and Symbols
Power and Control
One of the central themes of “The Blind Assassin” is power and control. Throughout the novel, characters struggle to gain control over their own lives and the lives of others. Iris, the protagonist, is constantly fighting against the expectations and restrictions placed upon her by society, her family, and her own internalized beliefs. The novel explores the ways in which power is wielded and abused, particularly by men in positions of authority.
War and Peace
Another major theme in “The Blind Assassin” is war and peace. The novel is set against the backdrop of World War II and its aftermath, and Atwood uses this historical context to explore the effects of war on individuals and society as a whole. The novel also explores the idea of peace, both as a state of being and as a political ideal. Atwood suggests that true peace can only be achieved through understanding and empathy, rather than through violence or domination.
Love and Sacrifice
Love and sacrifice are also important themes in “The Blind Assassin”. The novel explores the many different forms that love can take, from romantic love to familial love to the love between friends. Atwood also examines the sacrifices that individuals are willing to make for the people they love, and the ways in which these sacrifices can be both noble and destructive.
Storytelling and Memory
Finally, “The Blind Assassin” is a novel about storytelling and memory. Atwood uses the novel-within-a-novel structure to explore the ways in which stories are told and interpreted, and the impact that they can have on individuals and society. The novel also examines the fallibility of memory, and the ways in which our recollections of the past can be shaped by our own biases and desires. Through these themes and symbols, “The Blind Assassin” offers a complex and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.
Historical Context and Its Influence
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood is a novel that explores the themes of power, control, and deception. Atwood’s work is set in the fictional Ontario town of Port Ticonderoga and in Toronto, and it is narrated from the present day, referring to previous events that span the twentieth century but mostly the 1930s and 1940s.
The novel’s historical context is rooted in the 20th-century fascism and authoritarianism, particularly in Portugal, where Saramago was born. The Blind Assassin is a commentary on the dangers of totalitarianism, and it explores the ways in which individuals can be manipulated and controlled by those in power.
Atwood’s work is also influenced by the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which sought to challenge traditional gender roles and promote gender equality. The Blind Assassin is a feminist novel that explores the ways in which women are marginalized and oppressed by patriarchal society.
The novel’s use of multiple narratives and genres, including science fiction, romance, and mystery, reflects Atwood’s interest in experimenting with literary form. The Blind Assassin is a complex and multi-layered work that challenges readers to think critically about the nature of storytelling and the ways in which narratives shape our understanding of the world.
Interpreting the Allegory
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood is a complex novel that explores the themes of power, corruption, and the human condition through the use of allegory. The novel is a layered work of fiction that contains several stories within the overall narrative, each with its own allegorical significance.
At its core, the novel is an allegory for the impossibility of objective truth. The Blind Assassin symbolizes this idea, as it is a book within the story that is posthumously published under Laura Chase’s name. The novel explores the idea that truth is subjective and that our perceptions of reality are shaped by our experiences and biases.
The novel also explores the theme of the corrupting influence of power. Iris Chase, the protagonist, is a wealthy woman who inherits her family’s business empire. Throughout the novel, she is forced to confront the corrupting influence of power and the ways in which it can lead people to betray their values and morals.
The Impact of Allegory on Reader Experience
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood is a novel that uses allegory to explore the themes of love, betrayal, and the impact of societal expectations. The use of allegory in the novel adds depth and complexity to the story, allowing readers to engage with the text on multiple levels.
Through the use of allegory, Atwood is able to create a moralistic feel to the novel, as it is a response to the threat of death, not only to the human body but to the human soul. The premise of the novel is that an elderly woman is given a last confession of the unadmitted sins of her life, which adds a layer of intrigue and suspense to the story.
Atwood’s use of allegory is also evident in the novel’s structure. The Blind Assassin contains several stories within the overall narrative, which in turn allow it to cover a span of multiple historical periods. The use of another novel embedded within the main (frame) novel, adds a layer of complexity to the story, as readers are required to engage with multiple narratives simultaneously.
Comparative Analysis with Other Works
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood is a unique work of literature that combines multiple genres and themes. The novel’s use of a story within a story is similar to David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas. However, Atwood’s work is distinguished by its focus on the human condition and its exploration of the power dynamics in relationships.
In terms of style and tone, The Blind Assassin is reminiscent of other works of literary fiction such as The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Like these novels, The Blind Assassin is a character-driven story that delves into the psychology of its protagonists.
Atwood’s use of science fiction elements in The Blind Assassin also invites comparisons to other works in the genre such as Frank Herbert’s Dune and Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series. However, unlike these works, Atwood’s novel uses science fiction as a means to explore the human experience rather than as an end in itself.