Atwood employs the use of tale-telling in braiding the past with the present in the story of Grace Marks. She has in the first few pages of the book used exposition to present the reader with the situation: A young Irish servant girl convicted of murder. This, I do not believe, is the end of the story, as with the introduction of the interest in her case and the subsequent sessions between Dr. Simon Jordan and Grace Marks would indicate that something will come of it–that he will find her sane or insane, guilty or innocent, and that we will as well come to some conclusions based upon her revelations in the telling of her story. So it seems we are working along with the doctor to understand the character of Grace.
As well as with Grace’s version–which gives us background from her childhood in Ireland to the immigration of the family to Toronto, Canada and Grace’s growth and influences through her employment at the better houses as serving maid. We find through the diversity of characters that she meets how she has come to think and feel and interact with others of like and different stations. It is a true character-based novel, but there is a historical element as to the thinking of women, in particular, poor women of the era.
It is an engrossing story and of course, well-written by Atwood, but I do find myself yearning for deeper meanings within the words as with Marquez or McCarthy. We can apply the versions of Grace to perception, and here is where I am seeking some manner of learning. But still, there seems nothing to ponder, to wonder about–but that’s okay; there doesn’t need to be heavy philosophy underlying story.
Sometimes, just discovering the motives formed by experience that in turn form how people think is enough.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology