Happy Endings written by Margaret Atwood discusses the cruel stereotyping of females, the double standards practiced by the community, and the roles of men and women in society. The writer has employed the use of short anecdotes to denote the different possibilities that may arise from a commitment between a man and a woman. In the excerpt, Mary Atwood has captured the trials and struggles women in society face in the hands of archaic cultures that make women feel unwanted and insecure.
First, women are portrayed as tools for male satisfaction. In scenario B, we see Mary repeatedly letting John take advantage of him with the hope that he will become dependent on her and the two will eventually marry. “He merely uses her body for selfish pleasure and ego gratification” (Sustana). Mary prostitutes herself to John thinking that his lust will one day turn to true love and that they will live happily ever after. Atwood has used this scenario to depict the fact the society deems it okay and normal for a woman to trade of sex for a man’s time and affection especially when a man is hesitant to commit to a woman. Mary reaches her breaking point when she discovers that her partner is taking another woman out to dinner yet he has never done the same for her. Mary decides to commit suicide by overdosing with the hope that John will rescue her in time before she kicks the bucket. Unfortunately, John does not show up, and she dies as a result of the overdose ("Happy Endings by Margaret Atwood - Some Comments and Teaching Notes").
In scenario E, the author denotes that idea women that women are purposed to be caregivers. When Madge’s husband dies, she devotes herself to charity work until her death. This shows the idea that Madge was entirely dedicated to her husband John before his demise. In the scene, Atwood also indicates that women are expected to accept the loss of their partners with understanding whereas their male counterparts are permitted to grieve for as long as they want. Women in the society are, therefore, expected to live a life of service while their partners can do whatever pleases them.
Thirdly, women in the text are depicted as inferior beings who strive to quench and please the dominant male figures. In part B, we see Mary cooking for John at least twice a week before satisfying his sexual needs. Despite the caring nature of Mary, John doesn’t see her worthy of being taken out for dinner. Most of Mary’s actions are aimed at pleasing John. She quickly does the dishes after dinner so that John would not think that she is disorderly. “She even puts on fresh lipstick so that she’ll look good when he wakes up” (Sustana). John, however, fails to realize her partner’s attempts.
In the short story, Mary Atwood portrays the role of men as providers. In scenario C, we come across John an older man with a steady, respectable job, married to Madge, yet he has feelings for his workmate Mary. John is portrayed as a provider to his two children and wife with whom they bought a charming house when the real estate values were affordable. The fact that John has Mary’s apartment’s key also insinuates that he is the one who bought the house for her. He, thus, is the provider for Mary’s needs. In scenario B, we see John taking Madge out for dinner in a restaurant. This also shows that John is Madge’s provider ("Happy Endings Summary and Study Guide").
In the excerpt men also assume the cheating and sexual role. In scenario C, we see John cheating on his wife Madge with her workmate Mary. In the scene, Atwood illustrates the double standards applied to women when it comes to relationships. Mary satisfies her needs for love and affection through John, but he cannot leave his wife for her because they made a lifetime commitment. When John catches Mary with James his young lover who is full of life, he shoots both of them before committing suicide. Mary paid the ultimate price for doing what pleases her, but when John cheats on the mother of her children without her knowledge, it is accepted by society. Section B also illustrates the sexual role of men where we see John continuously using Mary to satisfy her sexual needs. Men in the text are also understood to be superior beings who partners have no other option rather than remaining submissive to them.
In a nutshell, Mary Atwood has employed the use of anecdotes to illustrate the gender inequality and the different roles that women and men play in today’s society. She tactfully expresses the varying roles of men and women in the community often questioning why we expect some things from women and not men. Happy Endings by Mary Atwood is an exciting piece of work that I would recommend to all avid readers.
Works Cited
"Happy Endings by Margaret Atwood - Some Comments and Teaching Notes." For the Love of Reading, notearama.blogspot.com/2014/06/happy-endings-by-Margaret-Atwood-some.html.
"Happy Endings Summary and Study Guide." SuperSummary, www.supersummary.com/happy-endings/summary/.
Sustana, Catherine. "Atwood's "Happy Endings": A New Approach to Storytelling." ThoughtCo, 17 Sept. 2014, www.thoughtco.com/Margaret-Atwoods-happy-endings-analysis-2990463.
