When It Happens

Margaret Atwood

Read the Text.

1. Read the Text.
2. About the Author: Margaret Atwood
3. Themes: When It Happens
4. Symbolism: When It Happpens
5. Analysis: When It Happens
6. From the blog

About the Author: Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood, born in 1939 and raised in Ontario and Quebec, has authored over thirty esteemed novels and collections of poetry, essays, and stories. An influential critic, she has made significant contributions to contemporary Canadian literature and is highly regarded among feminist writers in North America and internationally. Among her notable novels are “Surfacing” (1972); “The Handmaid’s Tale” (1986), which received Canada’s Governor General’s Award; “Cat’s Eye” (1989); “The Robber Bride” (1993); “Alias Grace” (1996), recipient of the Giller Prize in Canada; the Booker Prize-winning “The Blind Assassin” (2000); and “Oryx and Crake” (2003). Atwood’s impressive repertoire also includes story collections such as “Dancing Girls and Other Stories” (1982), “Bluebeard’s Egg and Other Stories” (1983), “Wilderness Tips and Other Stories” (1991), and “Good Bones and Simple Murders” (1994).

Themes: When It Happens

• Cyclical Nature of Life: The story captures the cyclical nature of life through Mrs. Burridge’s routine of making green tomato pickles, a tradition she has upheld since 1952. This routine, and the wider practice of canning and preserving, serves as a link to the past and emphasizes the continuity of life and tradition despite the changing times.
• Economic Struggle: The narrative alludes to the economic challenges faced by Mrs. Burridge and her husband. The escalating prices of goods, concerns about affordability, and the impact of economic changes on their way of life reflect the struggle of maintaining financial stability amidst external pressures.
• Uncertainty and Anxiety: Mrs. Burridge experiences a growing sense of uncertainty and anxiety, symbolized by her unease about the future, her husband’s behavior, and the unspoken fear of looming unknown events. This theme underscores the pervasive feeling of apprehension in the face of impending changes.
• Survival and Adaptation: As events unfold, the theme of survival and adaptation becomes prominent. Mrs. Burridge’s preparations, reflections on resource management, and the sudden encounter with potential danger highlight the instinctual human drive to survive and adapt in the face of adversity.

Symbolism: When It Happpens

1. Green Tomatoes:
   • Symbolize abundance and potential. They represent the protagonist’s resourcefulness and ability to make the most of what she has, despite uncertainties and challenges.
2. Pickles and Preserves:
   • Symbolize continuity and tradition. They represent the protagonist’s connection to the past, her perseverance, and the preservation of memories and heritage.
3. Shotgun: Symbolizes protection and the looming threat of violence. 

Analysis: When It Happens

The story extensively delves into the inner thoughts, fears, and actions of Mrs. Burridge, portraying a woman deeply entrenched in her routines, beliefs, and fears. Through her musings on her husband, children, and community, Mrs. Burridge’s character gradually evolves, reflecting on her relationships, doubts, and readiness to confront impending challenges.

Mrs. Burridge, a seasoned pickle maker, finds herself faced with an unexpected dilemma when she learns of a strike at the factory producing her favorite pickles. With an abundant harvest of green tomatoes and concerns about an impending frost, she decides to make green tomato pickles. Despite her husband’s skepticism about the quantity, Mrs. Burridge forges ahead with her pickle-making tradition, reflecting on their changing life together.

As she labors over the pickles, Mrs. Burridge contemplates the societal shifts that have impacted her life, from the changing roles of women after the war to the escalating cost of living. Despite her husband’s ostensibly increasing financial success, she grapples with a sense of scarcity, pondering the potential sale of their farm and the unpredictability of the future. These ruminations coincide with a growing sense of unease about the world around her, lent weight by her observations of a disquieting shift in her community.

In the midst of her domestic routines, Mrs. Burridge becomes increasingly preoccupied with looming uncertainties, ultimately envisioning a future marred by scarcities and societal breakdown. As her fears manifest in reality, with escalating disruptions and signs of impending crisis, Mrs. Burridge quietly prepares for an uncertain future, grappling with the weight of abandonment and an impending showdown as she embarks on a journey into the unknown, armed with only a few essentials and a loaded shotgun.

The narrative ends with Mrs. Burridge finding herself confronted by two strangers around a small fire in the woods, ultimately facing a pivotal moment that demands decisive action.

Throughout the narrative, Mrs. Burridge’s reflections and actions encapsulate a poignant portrayal of resilience, quiet strength, and the profound impact of societal turmoil on individual lives.

The story leaves certain elements unresolved, especially regarding the ‘event’ that Mrs. Burridge anticipates and how she will ultimately respond to it. This deliberate ambiguity stimulates reflection and invites readers to interpret the story’s conclusion based on their understanding of Mrs. Burridge’s character and her circumstances.