Curiosity may kill the cat, but candor kills the classic epic by Eleanor Pryce-Boutwood

Curiosity may kill the Cat, but Candor kills the classic epic but Candor kills the classic epic

Commentary on Pat Barker’s novel “Silence of the Girls” “Silence of the Girls”

TW: Sexual assault and suicide By Eleanor Pryce-Boutwood

Akin to Anne Carson, Pat Barker provides reimagined versions of the Greek classics, and “The Silence of the The Silence of the Girls” set during the Trojan War as told in Homer’s epic, Girls” set during the Trojan War as told in Homer’s epic, The Iliad. The reader follows Briseis, daughter of the The Iliad. The reader follows Briseis, daughter of the King of Lyrnessus, from the time of her capture until the beginning of the Greeks victory at the fall of Troy. King of Lyrnessus, from the time of her capture until the beginning of the Greeks victory at the fall of Troy. the Greeks to storm the city of Troy and take back Menelaus’ wife Helen (who barely features). Briseis joins the myriad of women abducted by the Greek army to serve as concubines to the warriors who have performed “well”. It follows that Briseis is gifted to the ever-victorious Achilles, and it is her placement under his control that makes her the perfect vessel to tell the story.

The novel is not one of romance, nor thrill, rather it serves as an exposé of a lengthy and confl icted attempt by the Greeks to storm the city of Troy and take back Menelaus’ wife Helen (who barely features). Briseis joins the myriad of women abducted by the Greek army to serve as concubines to the warriors who have performed “well”. It follows that Briseis is gifted to the ever-victorious Achilles, and it is her placement under his control that makes her the perfect vessel to tell the story.

Thankfully, Barker chooses not to employ the Stockholm syndrome trope: a tired and unimaginative storyline we Thankfully, Barker chooses not to employ the Stockholm syndrome trope: a tired and unimaginative storyline we have become saturated with. Instead, she uses Briseis’ quiet observation as narration, intermittent with fl ashbacks have become saturated with. Instead, she uses Briseis’ quiet observation as narration, intermittent with fl ashbacks to her previous life, and carefully tweaks details from the original plot to create a more realistic image of the great to her previous life, and carefully tweaks details from the original plot to create a more realistic image of the great Greek leaders. Greek leaders.

Achilles, Menelaus and his brother Agamemnon all fall victim to the fi rst of the seven deadly sins, pride. Achilles, Menelaus and his brother Agamemnon all fall victim to the fi rst of the seven deadly sins, pride. Although subtle, their inability to admit wrong-doing, feverish attempts to avoid compromise and excruciating Although subtle, their inability to admit wrong-doing, feverish attempts to avoid compromise and excruciating arguments over their concubines are all reminiscent of ‘toxic masculinity’. One wonders if the war should have arguments over their concubines are all reminiscent of ‘toxic masculinity’. One wonders if the war should have lasted ten years if they weren’t more dedicated to one upping each other. This opposing approach in narrative begs lasted ten years if they weren’t more dedicated to one upping each other. This opposing approach in narrative begs the question; if history were to be written by the losing side, would it be any more candid? the question; if history were to be written by the losing side, would it be any more candid?

In The Iliad, female characters are granted little attention and are used as pawns by the male protagonists, In The Iliad, female characters are granted little attention and are used as pawns by the male protagonists, to be exploited politically or physically (in Briseis’ case, both). Similarly, while in the retelling these women’s to be exploited politically or physically (in Briseis’ case, both). Similarly, while in the retelling these women’s experiences isn’t the focus, we are able to see the war from the women’s perspective. They hold the role of victims experiences isn’t the focus, we are able to see the war from the women’s perspective. They hold the role of victims but also the few spared from death: expected to be helpful and grateful when taken as slaves. but also the few spared from death: expected to be helpful and grateful when taken as slaves.

As a reader you will observe Briseis’ eerily calm and stoic reception of her treatment. Whether again as a creative As a reader you will observe Briseis’ eerily calm and stoic reception of her treatment. Whether again as a creative choice for better narrative or purposefully, it gives insight to the numbness her situation causes. She is continually choice for better narrative or purposefully, it gives insight to the numbness her situation causes. She is continually torn between survival and loyalty to her family, murdered by her captors. Perhaps you would expect a woman more torn between survival and loyalty to her family, murdered by her captors. Perhaps you would expect a woman more unhinged, hysterical even. Not here. Her conviction cannot be rivalled. unhinged, hysterical even. Not here. Her conviction cannot be rivalled.

It may disappoint you, the idea of revered heroes reduced to mere mortals, with more fl aws than the next man, It may disappoint you, the idea of revered heroes reduced to mere mortals, with more fl aws than the next man, however it does make for much more interesting reading. My title is a slight overstatement – I don’t believe that however it does make for much more interesting reading. My title is a slight overstatement – I don’t believe that tales like the Iliad and the Odyssey could ever be killed off , they’ve been around far too long – however they are tales like the Iliad and the Odyssey could ever be killed off , they’ve been around far too long – however they are now discoloured in my eyes. Reading the abridged versions I always looked for the protagonist’s victories. It now discoloured in my eyes. Reading the abridged versions I always looked for the protagonist’s victories. It was very rare that their shortcomings were made obvious, but the part of maturing that is the most excruciating is was very rare that their shortcomings were made obvious, but the part of maturing that is the most excruciating is realizing the little lies, untruths and biases we once couldn’t see. If you were to read this book I hope you would realizing the little lies, untruths and biases we once couldn’t see. If you were to read this book I hope you would appreciate that truth has thousands of forms, and how those who we celebrate: those such as Achilles, Alexander appreciate that truth has thousands of forms, and how those who we celebrate: those such as Achilles, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, the British Monarchy or Winston Churchill have gained their triumphs at the expense of the Great, Julius Caesar, the British Monarchy or Winston Churchill have gained their triumphs at the expense of others. others.