Margaret Atwood, Life Before the Writing
Name: Margaret Atwood
Year: Alumna
Program: Honours BA in English, Minor in Philosophy and French
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Today I have the pleasure of talking to you about Margaret Atwood. She is one of the most influential Canadian writers and a leading writer in today’s fiction. Though she’s primarily known for her numerous literary contributions to fiction and non-fiction alike, today we will focus on the time she was once like you and I.
Margaret Atwood attended the University of Toronto under Victoria College from 1957-1961, obtaining a degree in English with a minor in Philosophy and French. By the age of 16 she knew that writing was what she wanted to do. She had written a poem in her head, then wrote it down, and from then writing was the intended future. Of course, her journey to literary fame was not a smooth one as there was much opposition against her pursuit of this career path. Having been born into a family of scientists, she was already reminded that botany was the path she should have taken. It definitely didn’t help that she was actually really good at science! Another source of opposition was one of her lecturers, Northrop Frye, who encouraged her to pursue postgraduate studies at Harvard instead of a writing career. Even so, she continued to pursue paths of writing, contributing to her college’s literary journal “Acta Victoriana”. Eventually, due to the influence of her professors Jay MacPherson and Northrop Frye she wrote her first book, Double Persephone in 1961.
After graduating, she did go on to pursue her literary dreams (and successfully at that). Though it did not come without struggle, hardships, and lots of criticism, she wasn’t fazed. She was a girl who started out with humble means, a dream, and an English degree, going on to become a pioneer in Speculative Fiction. If Margaret Atwood could do it, why can’t you?
Kammie Hamilton
Photo Source:
http://dailygumboot.ca/2009/09/a-tip-o-the-hat-to-our-favourite-canadian…