The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood

Description

“The Edible Woman” is a novel by Margaret Atwood, first published in 1969. It tells the story of a young woman named Marian McAlpin, who finds herself increasingly alienated from her own life and society as she grapples with the expectations placed upon her as a woman.

The novel explores themes of identity, consumerism, and the societal pressures placed on women to conform to certain roles. Marian’s struggle with her own sense of self is reflected in her increasing aversion to food, leading her to feel as though she is being consumed by the expectations of others.

As Marian becomes more and more disconnected from her own desires and emotions, she begins to see herself as an “edible woman,” something to be consumed and devoured by those around her. Ultimately, the novel is a critique of the dehumanizing effects of societal expectations and the struggle to maintain one’s own sense of identity in the face of conformity.