Re-weaving the Legends

Abstract

The paper tries to focus on the significance of revisionist myth making and how it tries to redefine the roles of both women and culture, thereby re-inventing a new tradition, leading to an act of creation. The work analyzed in this perspective is ‘The Penelopiad’ written by Margaret Atwood which is a sharp, brilliant and tender re- vision of a story at the heart of the western culture: the myths about Penelope and Odysseus. Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ has been hailed as one of the primary epics in Western literature. Being regarded as one of the greatest epics, the text has been a source of readings and re- readings. The text opens up to a whole lot of interpretations and revisionary readings. The paper looks into the narrative which Atwood has woven, wherein she gives Penelope new life and reality and sets out to provide an answer to an ancient mystery.