Marian is a young working woman, leading a seemingly normal life. She’s educated, has a steady job, and a handsome fiance. But something is eating Marian up. Set in the 1960s, The Edible Woman is a story about a woman who refuses to be “eaten up” by society and the men who control her. And in an effort to rid herself of these social constraints, Marian begins to slowly starve herself. Her rejection of food is a rejection of society. As Marian observes the world around her and begins to realize her fate, she shuts down. But Marian will not be devoured.
I randomly picked up The Edible Woman in a bookstore, browsing through the titles of Atwood’s novels. It is no surprise that the title of The Edible Woman caught my eye. Part One of the novel is narrated in first person by Marian. We learn how she is living with a room mate, Ainsley, on the upper floors of the home of the conservative and nosy “woman down below.” Marian works as an interviewer, collecting data from consumers about various products. While on the job, Marian meets a graduate student, Duncan, who makes her question herself and the the life that she is about to lead as a wife. Peter, Marian’s fiance, is well meaning, but is unknowingly eating Marian up inside. As the novel progresses, Part Two is no longer in the voice of Marian, but is narrated in third person, signifying the loss of control that Marian is experiencing in her life. And it only until the end of the novel that Marian gains her voice once again.
I was pleasantly surprised by this novel, and in many ways, The Edible Woman was very ahead of its time. Atwood explores societal roles and its effects upon women, mainly in the form of anorexia. During the 1960s, anorexia was a disease that was not as in the spotlight as it is today. Yet, Marian’s anorexia is less in response to body image, but more of a response to a societal image that Marian rejects. Atwood deals with this form of anorexia cleverly. As Marian’s wedding date comes closer at hand, Marian slowly begins to stop eating, and is eventually unable to stomach anything. Ultimately, what Marian is unable to stomach is a life as wife. But, Marian is able to gain her independence back by refusing to accept a life in which she would loose a complete sense of self.
My favorite part of the story, and which really brought the whole novel together, was when Marian bakes a cake in the form of a woman and tries to give it to her fiance, Peter. But Peter refuses to eat the cake, symbolizing his inability to “eat” Marian up. Marian eventually eats the cake herself, having escaped before society made a meal out of her. I would highly recommend The Edible Woman for anyone interested in a story that explores women’s roles and the effects of those roles on women. The Edible Woman is a testament to Atwood’s amazing writing ability as well. Her writing is crafted in a manner where there is great attention to detail. Along with being an intriguing story, Atwood’s novel is highly reflective and symbolism is seemlessly embedded within the story.
I also found, after reading The Edible Woman, how amazingly diverse a writer Margaret Atwood is. She is not held down by a specific genre or period of time. Her novels explore so many facits of humanity, and she is just brimming with creativity. One of the greatest writers of our time. Obviously there will be more Atwood to come for me!
