The Penelopiad

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Chapter 5

Chapter 6-10

Chapter 11-16

Chapter 17-21

Chapter 22-25

Chapter 26-29

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

One of the book’s epigraphs is from The Odyssey, and states, regarding Penelope: “The glory of her virtue will not fade with the years, but the deathless gods themselves will make a beautiful song for mortal ears in honour of the constant Penelope.” How do you think the Penelope of Atwood’s novella would respond to this characterization?

Of Odysseus, Penelope states: “I knew he was tricky and a liar, I just didn’t think he would play his tricks and try out his lies on me.” When does Odysseus lie to her, and to what end?

Penelope refers to herself as “A stick used to beat other women with.” What does she mean by that? Why is she used as such?