In the short story “Lusus Naturae,” by Margaret Atwood, A little girl is introduced to the story that has a very rare disease which mutates her appearance by giving her yellow eyes, pink teeth, red fingernails, and long hair all over her body. The events that unfold throughout the story is described through the eyes of the mutated little girl, this is important to understand throughout the story to get an understanding of the innocence of the little girl and to show how cruel people can be. Margaret Atwood depicts the inevitable truth that society and even her own family are easily judgmental towards the appearance of this innocent girl. Also, the author shows blatant reject and the degrading nature of the girl’s family, compassion from the
…show more content…
This disease mutates her appearance by giving her yellow eyes, pink teeth, red fingernails, and long hair all over her body. The events that unfold throughout the story are described through the eyes of this mutated little girl. The innocence of the child is depicted by her acceptance of the cruelty shown to her by her family and society when the doctor said she was a “freak of nature”(415), she accepted that has who she was by saying “it’s nobody’s fault”(415) The ease of which she often agrees to some of the horrific actions taken by her family members which involved her grandmother holding her head underwater to “eject the demon”(215) out of her; leaves the reader feeling extreme empathy for the girl. Margaret Atwood depicts the inevitable truth that society and even those closest to us are easily influenced by what is considered the 'norms' by which we are judged. The idea that even one's appearance could cause such chaos within a family that avoidance; lies and corruption at all levels is acceptable rather than the differences that may occur beyond our control. The girl’s family had hired a doctor from far way to try to treat her so that the local doctor wouldn’t spread rumors. Events describing corruption is explained when the priest was bribed with money to help cover up her death. This shows to how far the family is …show more content…
The need to keep this approval of the outside world and maintain their status in a judgmental society overtakes their love and compassion for this small child that has such a terrible affliction. The narrator agrees with the sacrifice of her life for the good of her sisters “that was I would not stand in the way of my sister”. The plan to fake the death of the monster that lived with the family almost brings relief to everyone including the narrator. The conscience of the corrupt are so easily bought, the Priest promises a life of Heavenly goodness while feeling the weight of his earnings replacing the weight of his conscience. The mother goes into a mourning period, mourning the loss of her child and hanging a picture of the girl when she still looked human. The reality of the living child becomes less important than the ability to seal off any remorse or compassion for the girl is shown when the whole family acted like she had died. “My mother sat in the kitchen and cried as if I really had died, my sister managed to look glum, my father wore is black suit. My grandmother baked” (416). The dreaded secret is locked away with only the mother allowed to visit. The connection between the mother and her child is severed and shown when the mother would “come and go as quickly as she could”
This disease mutates her appearance by giving her yellow eyes, pink teeth, red fingernails, and long hair all over her body. The events that unfold throughout the story are described through the eyes of this mutated little girl. The innocence of the child is depicted by her acceptance of the cruelty shown to her by her family and society when the doctor said she was a “freak of nature”(415), she accepted that has who she was by saying “it’s nobody’s fault”(415) The ease of which she often agrees to some of the horrific actions taken by her family members which involved her grandmother holding her head underwater to “eject the demon”(215) out of her; leaves the reader feeling extreme empathy for the girl. Margaret Atwood depicts the inevitable truth that society and even those closest to us are easily influenced by what is considered the 'norms' by which we are judged. The idea that even one's appearance could cause such chaos within a family that avoidance; lies and corruption at all levels is acceptable rather than the differences that may occur beyond our control. The girl’s family had hired a doctor from far way to try to treat her so that the local doctor wouldn’t spread rumors. Events describing corruption is explained when the priest was bribed with money to help cover up her death. This shows to how far the family is …show more content…
The need to keep this approval of the outside world and maintain their status in a judgmental society overtakes their love and compassion for this small child that has such a terrible affliction. The narrator agrees with the sacrifice of her life for the good of her sisters “that was I would not stand in the way of my sister”. The plan to fake the death of the monster that lived with the family almost brings relief to everyone including the narrator. The conscience of the corrupt are so easily bought, the Priest promises a life of Heavenly goodness while feeling the weight of his earnings replacing the weight of his conscience. The mother goes into a mourning period, mourning the loss of her child and hanging a picture of the girl when she still looked human. The reality of the living child becomes less important than the ability to seal off any remorse or compassion for the girl is shown when the whole family acted like she had died. “My mother sat in the kitchen and cried as if I really had died, my sister managed to look glum, my father wore is black suit. My grandmother baked” (416). The dreaded secret is locked away with only the mother allowed to visit. The connection between the mother and her child is severed and shown when the mother would “come and go as quickly as she could”