#573: Margaret Atwood — A Living Legend on Creative Process, The Handmaid’s Tale, Being a Mercenary Child, Resisting Labels, the Poet Rug Exchange, Liminal Beings, Burning Questions, Practical Utopias, and More

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Feb 23, 2022

Margaret Atwood, a celebrated author with over 50 books to her name, discusses her dynamic creative process and the evolution of her storytelling across genres. She shares insights about growing up in nature, the impact of isolation on creativity, and the necessity of hope in addressing global challenges. The conversation touches on her character Aunt Lydia’s transformation, the importance of kindness, and the notion of 'Practical Utopias.' Atwood also reflects on contemporary issues and innovative writing methods, providing a fascinating glimpse into her world.

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ANECDOTE

Writing Process

Margaret Atwood typically avoids outlining her books beforehand, preferring to "get into it."
She likens the process to jumping into a cold lake.

ANECDOTE

Poetry to Prose

Margaret Atwood often writes poems about a topic years before it appears in her prose.
For example, the character Grace Marks first appeared in a poem, then a play, a novel, and finally a Netflix series.

INSIGHT

Brain Origins of Writing

Atwood theorizes that poetry and prose come from different parts of the brain.
Poetry is linked to patterning, music, and mathematics, while prose is closer to gossip and narrative.

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MaddAddam Trilogy

Box Set: Oryx and Crake, The Year of the Flood, MaddAddam

Margaret Atwood

Hag-Seed : William Shakespeare's The Tempest Retold

Margaret Atwood

In 'Hag-Seed', Margaret Atwood reimagines Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' with Felix Phillips, a theatre director who seeks revenge after being betrayed and ousted from his position. The novel explores themes of loss, revenge, and redemption as Felix teaches Shakespeare to prison inmates and stages a modern version of 'The Tempest'. The story delves into the complexities of human emotions and the power of theatre as a tool for healing and catharsis.

Burning Questions

Margaret Atwood

In *Burning Questions*, Margaret Atwood presents a collection of essays spanning from 2004 to 2022, addressing major events and hot-button topics. The book delves into themes such as storytelling, environmental crises, and the role of the writer in contemporary society. Atwood's writing is characterized by her sharp intellect, humor, and thoughtfulness, making this collection both engaging and insightful.

Dearly

Margaret Atwood

In 'Dearly', Margaret Atwood presents a diverse and introspective collection of poems that delve into themes such as love, loss, the passage of time, and the nature of nature. The book also touches on personal experiences, including grief and mortality, reflecting Atwood's unique imagination and observant eye on life. The poems are both accessible and profound, showcasing Atwood's mastery of language and her ability to transform sorrow into beauty.

The world turned upside down

Christopher Hill

The Future of Life

None

Edward O. Wilson

Edward O. Wilson's "The Future of Life" explores the challenges facing biodiversity and the importance of conservation efforts.

Of Wolves and Men

Barry López

Originally published in 1978, this book delves into the intricate and varied interactions between humans and wolves over centuries. Lopez uses a wide range of sources, including personal experiences with captive and free-ranging wolves, to create a compelling portrait of the wolf. The book celebrates scientific fieldwork, dispels folklore that has demonized wolves, explains myths, and honors indigenous traditions. It explores how wolves are perceived differently by various cultures, such as scientists, Eskimo hunters, and Native Americans, and argues for the wolf's preservation. The book also examines the historical and cultural significance of wolves in human imagination and society[1][3][4].

Cat's Eye

Margaret Atwood

In 'Cat's Eye', Margaret Atwood tells the story of Elaine Risley, a successful painter who returns to Toronto for a retrospective of her artwork. The narrative alternates between Elaine's middle-aged years and her childhood, where she was subjected to intense bullying by her friends, particularly the charismatic and manipulative Cordelia. Elaine develops various coping strategies, including self-harm and escapism through art, as she navigates the complexities of her relationships and the impact of her childhood experiences on her adult life. The book explores themes of bullying, parental handling of such situations, and the long-term effects of childhood trauma on personal development and empathy.

The Blind Assassin

Margaret Atwood

The Blind Assassin is a historical fiction novel by Margaret Atwood, set primarily in the 1930s and 1940s. It follows the lives of sisters Iris and Laura Chase, weaving together multiple narratives that blur the lines between reality and fiction. The novel includes a novel within a novel, also titled 'The Blind Assassin', which is initially attributed to Laura but later revealed to be written by Iris based on her own experiences.

Doing Good Better

Will MacAskill

The Gift

The Form and Reason for Exchange in Archaic Societies

Marcel Mauss

In 'The Gift', Marcel Mauss explores the concept of gift exchange in various cultures, particularly in societies without monetary exchange or legal structures. He argues that gifts are not freely given but are part of a complex system of social obligations involving giving, receiving, and reciprocating. Mauss examines practices such as the potlatch among North American peoples and the kula in Melanesia, emphasizing the role of gifts in binding people together in a web of reciprocal commitments. The book also discusses the spiritual and economic implications of gift-giving, highlighting its significance in understanding social relations and cultural practices.

The Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood

The novel is set in a near-future New England in the Republic of Gilead, a patriarchal, totalitarian state that has overthrown the United States government. Offred, the narrator, is one of the 'Handmaids', women who are forcibly assigned to produce children for the ruling class, known as 'Commanders'. The story explores themes of powerless women, loss of female agency and individuality, and the suppression of women's reproductive rights. Offred's life is marked by her restrictive routine, her memories of her past life, and her interactions with the Commander, his wife Serena Joy, and other Handmaids, including her friend Ofglen who is part of an underground resistance movement. The novel is a scathing satire, an ominous warning, and a tour de force of narrative suspense[3][4][5].

Arctic Dreams

Barry López

Trickster Makes This World

Lewis Hyde

Lewis Hyde's "Trickster Makes This World" is a captivating exploration of trickster figures in mythology and folklore across various cultures. Hyde delves into the roles of tricksters as agents of change, challenging established norms and disrupting social structures. The book examines how tricksters embody paradox and ambiguity, often acting in ways that are both disruptive and creative. Hyde's analysis reveals the importance of trickster figures in fostering innovation and adaptation within societies. The book offers a rich tapestry of mythological narratives and insightful interpretations, providing a unique perspective on the dynamics of power, creativity, and social transformation.

The Testaments

Margaret Atwood

Set 15 years after the events of 'The Handmaid’s Tale', 'The Testaments' is narrated by three women: Aunt Lydia, Agnes, and Daisy. The novel delves into the inner workings of Gilead, revealing the complexities of its theocratic regime and the resistance against it. Aunt Lydia, a former judge turned Aunt, secretly works against Gilead from within, while Agnes and Daisy become embroiled in a plot to topple the regime. The story is presented through a manuscript and testimonies, culminating in a metafictional epilogue that discusses the authenticity and impact of these accounts in a future where Gilead has fallen.

Alias Grace

Margaret Atwood

The novel tells the story of Grace Marks, who along with James McDermott, was convicted of the murders of Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper Nancy Montgomery in 1843 Canada. The story is intertwined with the fictional character Dr. Simon Jordan, who attempts to understand Grace's mental state and her role in the murders through a series of interviews. Grace recounts her life from her childhood in Ireland to her employment as a servant and the events leading up to the murders. The novel explores themes of identity, memory, and the complexities of human psychology, leaving the reader questioning whether Grace was the orchestrator of the murder, a reluctant accomplice, or an innocent woman manipulated by her co-accused.

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Margaret Atwood (@margaretatwood) is the author of more than 50 books of fiction, poetry, critical essays, and graphic novels. Dearly, her first collection of poetry in over a decade, was published November 2020. Her latest novel, The Testaments, is a co-winner of the 2019 Booker Prize. It is the long-awaited sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, now an award-winning TV series. Her other works of fiction include Cat’s Eye, finalist for the 1989 Booker Prize; Alias Grace, which won the Giller Prize in Canada and the Premio Mondello in Italy; The Blind Assassin, winner of the 2000 Booker Prize; the MaddAddam Trilogy; and Hag-Seed: William Shakespeare’s The Tempest Retold.

Margaret’s work has been published in more than 45 countries, and she is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, the Franz Kafka International Literary Prize, the PEN Center USA Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize Innovator’s Award.

Burning Questions, a collection of essays from 2004–2021 will be published in March of this year. Practical Utopias: An Exploration of the Possible, an eight-week live online learning experience, will run later this year.

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When jumping into a new writing project, does Margaret know if it’s going to be expressed as poetry or prose? From her perspective, is there a difference in where they originate? How do these two sometimes act in synergy? [07:59]

How does Margaret maintain her vital life energy at 82 years young? [16:55]

In what way does astrology — particularly Gemini rising — explain Margaret’s tendency to “stick [her] nose into things?” [18:45]

The Gift vs. Trickster Makes This World. [24:24]

What drives Margaret’s ability to craft engaging speculative fiction? [26:51]

What are the downsides of raising a family in the woods, blissfully isolated from the world? Margaret shares a glimpse into her own childhood. [33:07]

How crossing a football field in a pink princess line dress nudged Margaret toward writing poetry for the first time. [38:03]

How the limited number of career options from which a young woman was expected to choose guided Margaret toward her current profession — and how long it took to start paying off. [44:17]

What benefit did Margaret get from writing during the time before being paid to do so? [49:44]

As someone who’s often found herself in the teaching profession, what type of teaching has Margaret enjoyed most? [52:59]

Why Margaret considers The Future of Life by Edward O. Wilson to be required reading for young adults. [55:28]

Why Margaret resists the act of labeling that humans tend toward. [58:24]

What explains Margaret’s ongoing interest in dystopian — as well as utopian — literature, and what can people expect from “Practical Utopias: An Exploration of the Possible,” her eight-week online learning experience? [1:02:58]

Comparing and contrasting major revolutions and political upheavals of recent centuries, and what Margaret learned by visiting Eastern Bloc countries during the Cold War. [1:08:31]

How is the DISCO online learning platform that will host “Practical Utopias: An Exploration of the Possible” different from other such platforms, and what kind of problems will participants be solving? [1:12:01]

What readers can expect from Burning Questions. [1:14:42]

How has Margaret’s writing process changed over the course of her life? What does it look like these days? [1:19:24]

A tangent about shows we binge when our writing quotas for the day are fulfilled, an H.G. Wells story about perspective, and a Twilight Zone episode that (surprise!) doesn’t end well for its protagonist. [1:22:04]

Tezos NFTs, illustrated utopias, and inventions fitting unexpected functions. [1:24:22]

A spoiler alert for anyone who hasn’t yet read The Testaments and doesn’t want to know what happens to a character from The Handmaid’s Tale: skip ahead to the next timestamp! [1:31:48]

Does Margaret do research for her characters? [1:33:27]

Margaret turns the tables and asks me what prompted my podcasting endeavors. [1:35:36]

Dictation apps, the three Henry Jameses, and confessional stenographers. [1:37:48]

Undertaking winter adventures at high elevations and other parting thoughts. [1:41:25]

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