Surfacing Study Guide

Margaret Atwood: A Concise Biography

Margaret Atwood, born on November 18, 1939, in Ottawa, Canada, is a distinguished novelist, poet, literary critic, and essayist. She grew up in northern Ontario, Quebec, and Toronto, spending much of her childhood in the wilderness due to her father’s entomological research. Atwood’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in English from Victoria College at the University of Toronto and a Master's degree from Radcliffe College, Harvard University.

Atwood's literary career spans several decades, marked by a diverse range of works including novels, poetry, and essays. She has earned numerous accolades, such as the Booker Prize, which she won twice, for "The Blind Assassin" in 2000 and "The Testaments" in 2019. Atwood’s writing often explores themes of gender, identity, power, and environmentalism, and she is best known for her novels "The Handmaid’s Tale" and "Alias Grace."

Historical and Literary Context for "Surfacing"

Published in 1972, "Surfacing" is Atwood’s second novel and is considered a pivotal work in Canadian literature. The 1970s were a transformative period in Canada, marked by a burgeoning sense of national identity and a growing awareness of environmental issues. This era witnessed the rise of Canadian nationalism, partly in response to the cultural and economic dominance of the United States. There was also a growing feminist movement, which influenced literary themes and discourse.

"Surfacing" is set against this backdrop of national and personal identity exploration. The story follows a nameless protagonist who returns to her childhood home in rural Quebec in search of her missing father. As she delves into the wilderness, she undergoes a profound psychological and spiritual journey, leading to a confrontation with her past and the oppressive structures of society.

In literary terms, "Surfacing" is often categorized as a feminist and ecological novel. It reflects Atwood’s preoccupations with the relationship between humans and nature, the complexities of identity, and the critique of patriarchal structures. The novel’s stream-of-consciousness narrative and symbolic use of the Canadian wilderness resonate with themes of alienation and self-discovery, drawing comparisons to other introspective and existential works of the period.

Overall, "Surfacing" stands as a significant work that not only solidified Margaret Atwood's reputation as a key figure in contemporary literature but also contributed to the evolving discourse on identity, feminism, and environmentalism in the 20th century.

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