My Last Duchess By Margaret Atwood

In Margaret Atwood’s short story “My Last Duchess” the author describes a teenage girl who is in transition of becoming an adult. She feels anxious about her future but finds comfort and an understandable nature of the character the Duke, and defines herself through his independence in comparison to the unmistakably joyful Duchess. Atwood’s “My Last Duchess” involves Browning’s “My Last Duchess” by exploring the nature of the Duke, looking at the young girls perspective on authority and relationships. While reading the poem “My Last Duchess” what stood out was the speaker of the dramatic monologue. The Duke is addressing the ambassador of the count and is being advised to marry the counts daughter. While talking the Duke shows the painting of his first wife that is hidden behind a curtain. He explains to the count how his first wife was very happy and everyone and everything pleased her. But the Dukes story ends with an ambiguous statement that he “gave orders” causing in her silence, this insinuates that the wife was murdered. …show more content…
The narrator of the short story is at a point in her life where she is questioning her values and position in society. While reading in her English class she takes a special interest the poem “My Last Duchess.” She comprehends the appeal of power and how the Duke is consumed by the idea of power and control. The Duke establishes his power by willpower alone: “I gave my commands;/ Then all smiles stopped together” (Browning 45-46). The narrator hopes one day to project these characteristics of the