The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood BP9

The book The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood is developed through three wonderfully structured story lines which mingle and essentially revolve around Iris Chase. The first story line introduced is from the perspective of an elderly Iris, who gives us the details of her past. The second is made up of flashbacks from the perspective of Iris, delving into the childhood of the Chase sisters, she shares her thoughts regarding her sister and they do not foster any sisterly bond other than very fundamental ties formed with a basis on neither of them having anyone else to play with. The third storyline is eventually understood to be the book that Iris framed her sister for having written, The Blind Assassin, even though it was Iris. This book inside the book is actually based on the extramarital affair that Iris has with Alex Thomas, a man whom Laura has feelings for as well. Iris’ determination to succeed and attain her own desires surpasses any obligations she may have harbored in reference to morality.

The tragic death of Laura Chase is introduced on the first page of The Blind Assassin by the protagonist, Iris Griffen. Laura's death is given to the audience in a matter-of-fact manner and does not rely on any emotions to accurately portray the accident, "Nothing about the manner of her death, which everyone in this town believes -- despite the verdict at the inquest -- was as close to suicide as damn is near to swearing" (Atwood 39). This is significant because the narrator and protagonist is Iris Griffen, Laura's sister, whom one might presume to be emotional about the passing of her sister.

One might assume that Iris describes the deaths that take place so stoically in order to preserve the facts and disallow any alterations of the tragedies, "I'd drive down, I thought, and then remembered that my car was now scrap, I would have to call a taxi" (Atwood 492). Iris has simply fumigated most feelings for her sister due to the number of times Iris has made herself remove her own moral tendencies so as to act without regard for others, "When I saw this I was relieved: a little blood would cover up for my malice" (Atwood 98). Laura is habitually overcome by Iris, and this betrayal of the sisterhood they may have forged is the theme throughout. A betrayal may not be pronounced initially, however, the consequences will always demand to be felt. 

Iris' seemingly consistent need for attention and affirmation swallow the more delicate needs of Laura, "I felt I was the victim of n injustice: why was it always me who was supposed to be a good sister to Laura, instead of the other way around? Surely my mother loved Laura more than she loved me" (Atwood 93). The treatment given to the death of Laura by Iris is nearly impatient and cumbersome. Any sort of voice given to Laura was through two witnesses who claimed to have watched the even take place, when this is brought to attention Richard E. Griffen must put in immense effort to cover up the self-inflicted nature of the deed; this is best seen when Griffen offers to pay off the witnesses of the death in order to keep them quiet and help his political campaigns. Iris aknowledges that to have one's own voice is to be a human, "At the very least we want a witness. We can't stand he idea of our own voices falling silent finally, like a radio running down" (Atwood 95). The dismissive nature of Iris and Griffen completely mask their emotions, feelings, and allow Griffen to have a political future. The covering up of the accident is highlighted within my creative project, or police file. Inside the police file there are interviews and physical evidence of the on-going betrayal of Laura Chase.