Thursday, March 20, 2008

Margaret Atwood On Religion Part 1/3




In this interview by Bill Moyers, Margaret Atwood discusses the themes in her novel The Handmaid's Tale. Atwood is one of my favorite writers. I'm awed not only by her talents as a novelist and a poet but also by her remarkable intellect, her perspective and her articulate voice. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have. If so, parts II and III are just as riveting.
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13 comments:

  1. Mark Prime (tpm/Confession Zero)March 20, 2008 at 7:31 PM

    Wow. What a great interview. Margaret Atwood is a powerhouse. Roar woman! Roar!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Cunning RuntMarch 20, 2008 at 9:50 PM

    And she's nailed our situation to the door for all to see.

    She's terrifyingly right, most Americans will roll over so fast it'll make our heads spin.

    And those of us who resist will be hunted down.

    I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I'm really scared for our Country, our Kids and, indeed, the World.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MKDMarch 20, 2008 at 10:46 PM

    Thanks for this - it's great. I really love 'The Handmaid's Tale,' and actually had to teach it when I was in grad school. I wish that I'd had this interview then...

    ReplyDelete
  4. kenjuMarch 21, 2008 at 12:27 AM

    She's fascinating. I can't imagine her being anything else either. Parts of that movie were filmed here.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ben HeineMarch 21, 2008 at 6:55 AM

    Great post.
    I just sent you an email...

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMarch 21, 2008 at 3:41 PM

    I am new here, having just found you through Bobbie at Almost There. You have a fascinating array of items that will be beckoning my frequent return. Drop by for a visit when time permits.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 21, 2008 at 4:06 PM

    Thanks for this, Pagan Sphinx. Margaret Atwood is a voice of sanity in mad world. As a Christian, I totally agree with her views on the madness of puritan fundamentalism and the hysteria that surrounded the people of Salem. Yes, there are plenty of politicians the world over who would like to bring that back. In some countries it has never gone away! I like what she said about Blair, who I consider to be an odious hypocrite. It's not Christianity that's dysunctional it's the short-sighted, unimaginative interpretation of Scripture that has done so much damage.

    I had the pleasure of hearing Margaret Atwood read at one of our English Society poetry readings way back in 1983 when I was an English Lit. undergraduate over here in Wales. She was wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. FranMarch 21, 2008 at 6:49 PM

    I am pressed for time, but I want to see this. She is a great writer and The Handmaid's Tale is one of my very favorite books.

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownMarch 21, 2008 at 8:06 PM

    Like Fran, I'm also pressed for time. If you observe Easter, have a wonderful and peace-filled weekend, friends.

    We're having family over for dinner on Sunday and there is lots to do tomorrow.

    And tonight...well...I had hopes to begin a new "feature" here called The Friday Evening Nudes but it has to await its debut next Friday instead. Another week also wouldn't hurt so I can sort my thoughts on female nudity in art and how...well...that, as a woman, I feel neither offended nor oppressed by it. Though I know that some women do feel that way. It'll be interesting to get a variety of perspectives on it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownMarch 21, 2008 at 8:16 PM

    Wait. A few more thoughts before I go crash out on the bed with a W.P. to watch Jules And Jim, I think it is.

    Singingbear: I want to get back to you about your post. In fact, earlier when I read it, I composed a thoughtful comment to it, only to accidentally press something and have it, poof, go away. Then I had to leave for dinner.

    Ben: thank you so much for your email. I'm going to post about your wonderful work when I'm not so busy. I can't believe you're not even 25!

    Winston - I'm so looking forward to the Buffalo Springfield video clip on your blog! When I was in high school, and disco ruled, my friends and I were listening to the B.S. and the likes thereof - Neil Young, CSN, CSNY. It's interesting...I could just go to youtube anytime and do a search for it but it's so much more pleasant to visit the blog of a person you have things in common with to listen to it and read what they share about it, etc. So much more pleasant.

    ReplyDelete
  11. bobbieMarch 22, 2008 at 11:50 AM

    Margaret Atwood is definitely a favorite, and I hope you do bring us the other videos.

    Don't know why cunning runt is embarrassed because we should all be very much afraid.

    Thank you for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
  12. MinnesotablueMarch 22, 2008 at 8:28 PM

    I am embarrassed to say I have not read the book but when Monday comes around I am heading to the bookstore! Thanks so much for the video and continue to post your videos.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownMarch 22, 2008 at 9:07 PM

    minnblue: Don't be embarrased. The Handmaid's Taleis a very interesting story but, in my opinion, not her best. Still a very worthwhile read, especially in light of this discussion.

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Peace,
    the P.S.

    ReplyDelete

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