Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

English

First Advisor

Adele Davidson

Abstract

“Sing for me muse,” the poets demand. This imposition leaves the muse no choice: either she abides by the poet's commands or she remains silent. In recent years, there has been an increased popularity of female writers giving a voice to the women of these epics. In doing so, these writers have given the female characters something they rarely ever possessed: agency within the narrative. As the reader combs through these texts, however, one may notice the striking similarities between the gendered tensions of ancient times and those relevant to the modern day. These recent novels may be writing about the past; however, their truths and their battles still represent and contend with modern issues pertaining to the female voice and women’s demands to be heard. In my thesis I wish to explore two key texts: The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood and Circe by Madeline Miller. As their names suggest, each of these texts places the forgotten, the ignored, or the condemned at the center of their pieces. The main question I wish to explore throughout this thesis is whether these books promote the development of female voice and agency or do they ultimately still perpetuate the same tired beliefs that they are allegedly critiquing? I wish to investigate this question throughout the books specifically considering the roles of space, form, and legacy. In my first chapter, I will examine the gendering of space and its relationship to the development of female voice and agency. I will then explore transformation and its connection to body and voice. Finally, I will investigate the role of influence, both within the texts and the external influence of these texts.

Rights Statement

All rights reserved. This copy is provided to the Kenyon Community solely for individual academic use. For any other use, please contact the copyright holder for permission.

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