The Truth to a Ballad

A detailed Summary of The Truth to a Ballad

"At her Redeemer's throne she'll stand, And she'll be cured of woe, And He her bloodied hands will wash, And she'll be white as snow" (15). This quote concludes the beautifully written ballad located in the first chapter of Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace. By summarizing the events leading up to the murders, the murders themselves, and the ensuing trial, the poem presents the reader with what appears to be a foreshadowing of things to come. However, though the ballad reflects many of the novel's events, there are several differences which contradict Grace's narration.

The poetic verse and the story told by Grace contain numerous similarities. As the ballad states at the beginning, Grace says she was sixteen years old when the murders at the house of Thomas Kinnear occurred; James McDermott worked as a stable hand, and Grace was the serving maid. Also alike is the poem's description of Nancy as a "no well-born lady....who goes in satin and silk, The finest ever seen" (11). When first meeting Nancy, Grace wonders why "a housekeeper would be wanting a dress like that," (200) immediately noticing Nancy is dressed rather well considering her occupation. When the murders take place in the novel, James st

The ballad at the beginning of Alias Grace provides beautifully written images of occurrences to come, leaving the reader to consider which events will actually take place. Not all of the poem's accounts are similar to Grace's story however, and many differences can be seen. Although, the ballad did contain many truths: a murder was committed, Grace was involved, she was punished for her involvement, and a legend was born.

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two are later arrested at which point Grace states she does not remember seeing the murders take place. Also similar, is James' declaration of Grace being the one who lead him on, and if not for her the murders would have never happened. When the poem explains how Jamie Walsh marked Grace a murderer at the trial, yet she was given a life sentence while James was hung and dissected at the University, Grace's tale is reflected perfectly. The ballad concludes with Grace receiving forgiveness and entering a life of paradise. This appears apparent at the end of the novel as Grace is pardoned, and then fulfills her "apple skin prophecy" of marrying a man with a first name beginning with 'J.' Though the above even

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Approximate Word count = 819
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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The Truth to a Ballad

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