A literary essay on Margaret Atwood’s ‘Bodily Harm’ analyses using feminist theory

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Margaret Atwood’s ‘Bodily Harm’ on feminism
In the book “Bodily Harm” Margaret demonstrates how male dominance takes a course by using abusive relationships, healthy and unhealthy relationships. Male dominance places women in a position not to defend themselves whenever they are mistreated or when they see their fellows been mistreated. In case they wanted to defend themselves, they were threatened and thus a fear of losing relationships has appeared among the females. Through such actions from the males, the females have so far remained defenseless. The following is a discussion to examine feminism as portrayed in the “Bodily Harm” a book by Margaret.
Atwood points it out clearly that what creates the illusion in females is the dependence on men and she stresses that what will give women the voice is when they first stand out and be independent of males (Elaine, 8). The need for feminism requires that male patriarchy that is still dominant in most societies to be shunned and thus the need for feminism.
Lora and Jocasta are two characters in the book who are happy with the kind of life they are living since they are not dependent on males (Mort, 471). Lora and Jocasta are castigated for the life they are living without men and the society judges them as females who do not respect the norms and cultures of the society (Elaine, 15). In society, Atwood sees feminism to be healthy for women who have been mistreated, and she feels that is the only way to find their freedom.

Jennie also separates with Jake to go and find her freedom by living alone and in the process shows the power of feminism.
Margaret Atwood supports female dependence as the solution to all female discrimination and oppression they receive from men. The only way a woman can avoid persecution is through choosing to live a life that she enjoys her freedom and does not necessarily call for assistance of a man.

Works cited
Elaine Tuttle Hansen. Fiction and (Post) Feminism in Atwood’s “Bodily Harm”. A Forum on Fiction, Vol. 19, No. 1 (Autumn, 1985), pp. 5-21. Duke University Press.
Mort, Mary-Ellen. “Bodily Harm (Book).” Library Journal, vol. 107, no. 4, 15 Feb. 1982, p. 471. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=9083525&site=ehost-live.