According to Atwood, “myths cannot really be translated with any accuracy from their native soil from their own place and time. We will never know exactly what they meant to their ancient audiences.” So Atwood seems to be saying, we can really only say with any accuracy what the myth means to us, a contemporary audience.
Based on what the text tells us, the interviews with Atwood and the actors of the play version tell us, and given your own responses/notes from the reading questions, what do you think the myth says to us today? These are some topics that you can focus on (but feel free to choose your own):
Something about sex and gender
Social power in relation to class (in this case) and gender
Marriage
Sisterhood (or female alliances)
Gods
The justice system
Talking back
This updated myth brings all these topics, and certainly more, into the foreground.
In your posting, choose just one or two that resonate with you, and explain what this ancient legend means to a contemporary audience, in the 21st century. Include at least one direct quotation from the novel, as well as one quotation from either the interviews or any one of the textbook readings. That is, synthesize some aspect of the auxiliary readings, and The Penelopiad itself.
Rubric
-Answered the question directly and thoroughly; informative, relevant, and on-topic; insightful, thoughtful and logical; good ideas and argument; provided clear evidence of mastery of course
content and its application.
-Replies were thorough and demonstrated reflection; thoughtful in terms of which contributions were chosen as subjects of the replies; relevant, logical, and on-topic; extended the discussion.
-Carefully crafted; tight; concise and clearly expressed; presented in a style easy to read and understand; grammatically and mechanically error free including flawless spelling.
-Discussion leader; provided tremendous valuable and insightful points that enhanced the overall learning experience; encouraged others to reflect; provided a foundation upon which others could build (as evidenced by how it elicited others responses if applicable); could prompt significant further discussion.
