Critical Analysis Of Margaret Atwood's 'Stone Mattress'

Though it is well-known that rape is an awful experience for someone, people’s thoughts regarding the actual effects and negative results it produces do not go beyond this broad assumption of rape being a horrible action. Margaret Atwood recognizes this and takes a different approach on informing society about specific effects rape can have on an individual. Through her short story “Stone Mattress,” Atwood covers these topics in a subtle manner where the information better relates to the reader whereas bombarding them with it. Her topics confronting rape and its repercussion that seem to only affect the victim are the focal points of the story, but Atwood includes other elements of fiction to draw the reader in and captivate their attention.

With the use of a fictitious literary outlet, Atwood is able to connect with the reader and make them reconsider the unjust treatment of rape victims that still occurs today. Atwood uses varied characteristics to show the contrasting effects, and one of the main differences between Bob and Verna pertains to their psychological states. Though both have flawed psychological issues, Verna’s developed after she was raped whereas Bob is just presented as a rapist without any character development or traumatic experience. One notable aspect of Verna’s psychological thought process/reasoning is her reoccurring contradicting thoughts. From the very beginning, there is an apparent contradiction made through the simple statement, “She’s [Verna] had enough of men for a while,” but one paragraph later she “ear-tags the male members of the flock.” Verna continues with her flirtatious nature throughout the rest of the story which conflicts with the first impression the reader has about her. Also, Verna comes across initially as someone who does not care about other people’s opinions, yet she is always concerned about her appearance towards others. Evidence of this attribute can be seen throughout the text

Atwood describes this younger version of Verna as a stereotypical fourteen-year-old teenager going through those relatable, cringer-worthy moments. Like every person thinking out their younger-self, Verna does not like her younger self, but she also has more animosity than others towards her past. She uses words that carry a negative connotation with them to describe her younger self such as: weak, stupid, and gullible. When she was shipped off to a church camp, she began to associate herself with the negative comments such as: slutty, drunken, willing, and a delinquent (“her fellow-delinquents”). Atwood is using common terms used to describe rape victims and shows how these comments change how the victim views themselves. She is proving that the victim begins to thing lesser of themselves and blames themselves for what happened. Verna has developed this wall around her because her previous experiences have taught her that “only the strong can win, that weakness should be mercilessly exploited.” In contrast to Verna, Bob’s character does not bare no dramatic change if there was any change other than physically. Bob stayed the pinnacle of “good guys” in their hometown and lived a normal life experiencing virtually no life-changing