Hag-Seed, by Margaret Atwood

REVIEW: This was very enjoyable as a free-standing book, but even more so with the Shakespeare connection.  Margaret Atwood’s intertwining of The Tempest with the story is so creative it is not all apparent on the surface.  More and more small but insightful connections appear as you are reading as well as later at random times thinking about the novel.  I am not a Shakespearean scholar, but with just a little research and the synopsis in the back of the novel (HINT: Read this first!) I was able to understand and enjoy the multiple layers of connections.  Also, as a reading educator, the work Felix did with literacy in the prison was masterful!  Margaret Atwood obviously did her research!  I highly recommend this book!  I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review.

Characters

Felix –a.k.a. Mr. Duke Nadia – wife, deceased Miranda – daughter, deceased age 3 Anne-Marie Greenland – part of Miranda in The Tempest Anthony (Tony) Price – Felix’s manager at festival, then minister in government Sal O’Nally – Heritage Minister, Minister of Justice Sebert Stanley – Minister of Veteran’s Affairs Freddie O’Nally – Sal’s son, Assistant Director of Makeshiweg Theater Festival at end of novel Makeshiweg Theater Festival Fletcher County Correctional Institute 8Handz Bent Pencil (see expanded list in chapter 32) Estelle – professor, supervised Fletcher courses

 For discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers refer to the hardback edition of the book. 

1. After he was fired from the festival, Felix realized that he needed a purpose.  How important do you think it is to have a purpose in life?
2. The main purpose of Felix’s class at the prison was to improve the inmate’s reading ability and he was very successful.  Why do you think he had such good results? 
3. Other teachers, chaplains, etc. thought that Felix was a bad influence on the prisoners because he “expose[s] these vulnerable men to traumatic situations that can trigger anxiety and panic and flashbacks, or worse, dangerous aggressive behavior.” (page 79)   Felix contends that, “It conjures up demons in order to exorcise them!”  Which opinion do you agree with and why?
4. In the second assignment in the class Felix has the prisoners identify the prisoners, prisons and jailers in The Tempest.  Do you think it was realistic how deeply they were able to understand the play?
5. What did you think about limiting the students’ use of swear words to only those used in the Shakespeare play?    
6. At the end of the class, Felix has the prisoners predict what will happen to their characters from The Tempest.  What do you think will happen to Felix, Estelle, Anne-Marie, Freddie, 8Handz, etc. after the novel ends?
7. Did you think the Shakespeare class as taught by Felix was a worthwhile project and should be funded?
8. Felix told the prisoners in the class that the play was about “changing you mind.”  (page 253) Who changed their minds in the novel?  Who did so of their own choice or because of Felix’s plan?
9. In the Hogarth Shakespeare project, acclaimed authors write a more current version of a Shakespeare play.  How well did Margaret Atwood capture the essence of The Tempest in her book?
10. Could this be enjoyed as a free-standing book with no reference to The Tempest?  Why or why not?  What was positive or negative about the book?

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.