Margaret Atwood's narrative poem "Half-Hanged Mary" revisits the historical episode of Mary Webster, a woman accused of witchcraft in 17th-century Massachusetts, who astonishingly survived a hanging. Through a gripping first-person narrative, Atwood explores themes of societal fear, gender dynamics, and the struggle for personal identity. The poem is structured around a timeline, marking the harrowing night Mary spent contending with her fate, society’s condemnation, and her own resolve.

The Accusation: 7 p.m.

The poem opens with Mary Webster recounting the moment authorities intrude upon her evening chores. While she tends to her cattle, the gravity of her alleged crimes unfolds. Living independently and possessing knowledge of herbal remedies make her a target. However, her most significant transgression is her gender, encapsulated in her acknowledgment of female anatomy as a cause for suspicion. Atwood effectively illustrates the paranoia permeating a society eager to scapegoat those who defy conventional norms, capturing Mary's acute awareness of her precarious position.

The Hanging: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

As the poem progresses to "8 p.m.," the crowds gather to witness Mary's execution. The men's fervor is fueled by their collective animosity and perceived righteousness, while the women, though present, are powerless to intervene. Mary recognizes their fear of association with her plight, silently complicit out of self-preservation. This societal tension peaks at "10 p.m." when Mary engages in a theological dispute with God, questioning divine justice and the purpose of her suffering, highlighting her existential struggle amidst her physical torment.

Resisting Death: 12 Midnight to 6 a.m.

At the stroke of "12 midnight," Mary is locked in a battle with death itself. She is tempted by the release it offers but resists, driven by a desire to assert her voice and defy her unjust punishment. This defiance is a testament to her enduring spirit and quest for personal agency. Throughout the night, as depicted at "2 a.m." and "3 a.m.," Mary's physical strength wanes, but her resolve remains unyielding. By "6 a.m.," she is alive, though transformed, having symbolically crossed the threshold of death yet still breathing.

A New Identity: 8 a.m. and Later

When morning comes at "8 a.m.," Mary is cut down, found to be miraculously alive. The townspeople, constrained by law, cannot attempt to execute her again, but this survival only cements their belief in her supernatural abilities. Her escape from death marks a turning point; she has become what they feared—a witch, not by choice but through their projection. The final section, "Later," captures Mary's new existence. Ostracized and untouched by society, she embraces an untethered life, seemingly unhinged yet liberated by her alienation. Mary's narrative closes with her as a spectral figure, both feared and misunderstood, speaking in a language all her own—a testament to the harsh transformation wrought by her ordeal.

Margaret Atwood's poem "Half-Hanged Mary" is a masterful exploration of provocative imagery and biting irony. Through vivid language, Atwood challenges readers to examine their preconceived notions and confront the unsettling reality of Mary Webster's grim experience. The poem's haunting images and ironic tone demand a reevaluation of the historical narrative surrounding this infamous hanging.

Vivid Imagery and Similes

Atwood skillfully employs imagery to evoke powerful visual and emotional reactions. Her language is rich with unexpected and jarring comparisons that force readers to "see with fresh eyes." For instance, Mary Webster's ascent as she is hanged is likened to "a windfall in reverse," creating a striking image of a "blackened apple stuck back onto the tree." Such similes challenge the reader to pause and absorb the unsettling scene. Another visceral image arises when death is described as "a...