The Truth To A Ballad :: essays research papers

The Truth to a BalladAt her Redeemers tin shell stand, And shell be cured of woe, And He her bloodied hands will wash, And shell be white as snow (15). This quote concludes the beautifully written lay located in the first chapter of Margaret Atwoods Alias boon. 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 an(prenominal) of the novels events, there are several differences which contradict goodwills narration.The poetic verse and the story told by decorate 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 jam McDermott worked as a stable hand, and Grace was the serving maid. Also alike is the poems description of Nancy as a no well-born lady.who goes in satin and silk, The finest ever s een (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 strikes Nancy on the head with an axe and throws her into the cellar where she eventually died with an unborn baby in her womb. This event was depicted in the poem, as was the scene where James and Grace steal valuables from Mr. Kinnears house and fled across the lake to the Lewiston Hotel in the United States. As the ballad progresses, the 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, Graces 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 orchard apple tree skin prophecy of marrying a man with a first name beginning with J. Though the above events are comparable to the story Grace tells, the ballad contains several discrepancies as well.