The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood - Book Report/Review Example

John Q. Doe English 344 8 May 2000 Structural Complexity and Its Effect on the Reader in Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin I. Introduction – The Blind Assassin is a structurally complex novel by Canadian author, Margaret Atwood. The novel contains three narrative threads that all revolve around the protagonist, Iris Chase. However, because of the narrative complexity of the work, the reader does not realize that Iris is the narrator of all three threads until the end of the novel. II.

Focus- The structural complexity of the novel manipulates the reader’s perception of narrative and how an author unfolds her narrative.III. The first effect of the structural complexity of the novel is that it creates a high degree of suspense by use of ambiguity in the narrative. A. Earl Ingersoll argues that the first sentence of the novel creates a murder mystery that the reader wishes to solve throughout the novel. The different narratives all build a picture of the murder. B. James Harold agrees with Ingersoll that the reader engages in the narrative via the question presented in the opening sentence regarding the death of Laura Chase. C. Barbara Dancygier agrees that the reader engages in the narrative but adds that the effect is due to cognitive demands made on the reader by the novel through narrative ambiguity.III. The second effect of the structural complexity of the novel is that it challenges the reader’s understanding of conventional narrative structure. A. Dancygier argues that the novel is organized around clusters of plot events that the reader must assemble in his mind in order to create a cohesive narrative.

The need for cognitive participation on the part of the reader is greater than in conventional narratives. B. Laura Stein agrees with Dancygier that the novel is complex and explicates how Atwood manages the plot events so that the reader can understand the novel.IV. The third effect of the structural complexity of the novel is that it provides a means of understanding the complex life of the protagonist, Iris Chase. A. Hilde Staels argues that two of the narratives in the novel are parodies of science fiction and romance.

Together these two narratives lend complexity to Iris by providing commentary on the events of her life and her perspective on these events. B. While disagreeing with Staels on the point of parody, Stein agrees that the narrative complexity of the novel mirrors the complexity of Iris Chase.VI. Conclusions – While some critics believe that the structural complexity of the novel creates suspense for the reader and others believe that it forces the reader to challenge the nature of conventional narrative, all agree that the novel’s structure has a profound effect on readers’ understanding of the text.

Works CitedDancygier, Barbara. "Narrative Anchors and the Processes of Story Construction: The Case of Margaret Atwoods The Blind Assassin." Style 41.2 (2007): 133-152. Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.Harold, James. "Narrative Engagement with Atonement and The Blind Assassin." Philosophy & Literature 29.1 (2005): 130-145. Humanities International Complete. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.Ingersoll, Earl. "Waiting for the End: Closure in Margaret Atwoods The Blind Assassin." Studies in the Novel 35.4 (2003): 543-558.

Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.Staels, Hilde. "Atwoods Specular Narrative: The Blind Assassin." English Studies 85.2 (2004): 147-160. Humanities International Complete. Web. 17 Mar. 2012.Stein, Karen. "A Left-handed Story: The Blind Assassin."Margaret Atwoods textual assassinations: recent poetry and fiction. Columbus, OH: Ohio State University, 2003. 135-52. Print.