Cut and Thirst by Margaret Atwood Summary, Characters and themes

Cut & Thirst by Margaret Atwood is a darkly witty and sharply satirical short story about friendship, revenge, and the passage of time. 

The story follows three retired professors—Myrna, Leonie, and Chrissy—who share a long-standing bond with Fern, a historical fiction writer whose career was cruelly sabotaged by a clique of male academics. As Fern’s health declines, her loyal friends scheme to exact vengeance on her behalf. Blending humor with poignant reflections on aging and mortality, Atwood masterfully explores the complexities of loyalty, ambition, and the enduring effects of past wounds in this captivating tale of camaraderie and justice.

Summary

In Cut & Thirst, Margaret Atwood presents a tale of loyalty, revenge, and the passage of time through the lens of three older women—Chrissy, Leonie, and Myrna. Once professors at the same college, the trio has been friends for decades, bonded by their shared intellect and their loyalty to Fern, a historical fiction writer whose career was targeted by a venomous group of male academics. 

This clique, driven by jealousy and insecurity, orchestrated a campaign to discredit Fern’s work, branding it frivolous and undermining her reputation in literary circles. Their persistent attacks took a toll on Fern, affecting her confidence and health.

Now retired, Chrissy, Leonie, and Myrna gather weekly to reminisce, enjoy fine cheeses, and sip gin and tonics. 

Recently, these meetings have taken on a darker tone as they muse about avenging Fern. While Fern has softened over the years, even receiving apologies from some of her detractors, her friends remain bitter and convinced that the men’s actions are partly to blame for Fern’s declining health. 

They begin to plot an elaborate revenge scheme with an almost Shakespearean flair, entertaining the idea of murder. The humor lies in their stark practicality, as they joke that nobody would suspect three elderly, retired professors of orchestrating such a crime.

As the trio debates methods, targets, and ethics, complications arise. They realize their advancing age presents logistical challenges; physical limitations and memory lapses make the prospect of executing their plan daunting. 

Moreover, the moral question of who among the men truly deserves punishment weighs on them, particularly as Fern reveals that a few of her tormentors have privately apologized.

These revelations lead to a reassessment of their “hit list” and spark a deeper reflection on the nature of revenge.

Through their discussions, the story captures the essence of their personalities and their shared history. 

Their wit and camaraderie shine, even as they confront the stark realities of aging. Ironically, time has already exacted its own revenge on many of their adversaries: some are dead, others are frail, and the once-vibrant literary disputes that seemed so urgent now feel insignificant in the shadow of mortality.

Ultimately, the women come to terms with the futility of their revenge fantasies. Fern, the supposed beneficiary of their plan, embodies forgiveness and acceptance, highlighting the transient nature of human grievances. 

As her health continues to decline, the trio begins to see that life itself may be the ultimate arbiter of justice.

Atwood concludes the story with an open-ended irony. The women abandon their grandiose schemes, recognizing that time and mortality have already done much of the work for them. 

In the end, Cut & Thirst becomes a meditation on aging, friendship, and the ways in which life’s natural rhythms often outpace our thirst for retribution.

Characters

Fern

Fern is the central figure around whom the entire plot revolves, though she is not as active in the story’s unfolding. Once a successful writer of historical fiction, Fern’s career was sabotaged by a group of male writers and critics who publicly undermined her work.

Their critiques were not only professional but personal, and they attacked her work with a sense of petty vengeance, accusing it of being “vapid” or lacking intellectual depth. Despite being the direct victim of their campaign, Fern is portrayed as a gentle, forgiving, and non-confrontational individual, which sets her apart from her more vengeful friends.

She has suffered physically and emotionally as a result of the years of critique, and now, as her health deteriorates, Fern’s stoic nature and her lack of bitterness become more pronounced. While Fern is aware of the men’s past transgressions, she has even received private apologies from some, yet she does not harbor ill will.

Her character embodies grace, acceptance, and the tragic reality of how women in academic and literary circles can be undermined without recourse.

Myrna

Myrna, one of the three friends plotting revenge, is a retired professor with a sharp mind and a quick wit. She serves as the instigator of the revenge scheme, driven by fierce loyalty to Fern and a simmering resentment toward the male academics who wronged her.

Myrna is both pragmatic and passionate, and it’s her idea to take action against the men who targeted Fern, though she quickly realizes the practical limitations that age and frailty impose on her. Throughout the story, Myrna’s practical nature emerges, especially as she steers the group through the planning stages.

However, it is also clear that Myrna’s idealism and energy are slowly fading, as she must contend with the reality of her aging body and the passing of time. Her dialogue reflects her biting humor and intelligence, but also an underlying sadness at the limitations brought on by age.

Myrna is one of the more resolute characters in terms of wanting to see justice for Fern, but she faces a profound existential questioning as the reality of life’s impermanence sets in.

Leonie

Leonie is another member of the trio of women, and she provides much of the more reflective, philosophical tone in the story. A retired professor, Leonie seems to be the most emotionally invested in the idea of revenge.

She is deeply resentful of the academic system and its misogyny, particularly the way Fern was treated by the male critics. Leonie’s character is thoughtful, often contemplating the meaning of their plans, and she is the one most vocal about the ethics of seeking revenge after so many years have passed.

While Myrna is more focused on action, Leonie seems to wrestle with the consequences of their decision, and it is her moral questioning that adds layers of complexity to the narrative. Like her friends, Leonie is aging and deals with physical ailments, which makes the fantasy of revenge increasingly comical as the story unfolds.

Despite her concerns about revenge, she, too, is drawn into the plot and becomes part of the group’s attempts to “right the wrongs” done to Fern.

Chrissy

Chrissy, the third member of the trio, plays a more understated role in the plot. She is a bit of a foil to Myrna’s more forceful character and Leonie’s moral ponderings.

Chrissy is known for her dry sense of humor and seems to be the one who lightens the mood during their meetings. Although she is as loyal to Fern as the other women, Chrissy’s approach to the situation seems more detached or amused.

She enjoys the banter and the camaraderie of their friendship but is less obsessed with the idea of exacting revenge. Her attitude serves as a balancing force among the trio, and while she might not push for action as strongly as Myrna or Leonie, Chrissy is still deeply invested in their shared history and the bond they have with Fern.

Chrissy’s role in the plot is more passive, but her presence is key in providing the humor and lightheartedness that contrast with the gravity of the women’s plans.

Themes

Aging, Mortality, and the Inevitable Passage of Time as the Ultimate Equalizer

In Cut & Thirst, Margaret Atwood explores the theme of aging and mortality through the lens of revenge, which ultimately becomes a futile pursuit due to the natural progression of time. The central characters, three elderly women, are keen to avenge their long-time friend Fern, who suffered under the harsh critique of a group of male writers.

However, their plans are hindered by their own physical limitations and the realization that many of the men they wish to exact vengeance upon are already aging, ill, or deceased. The cruel irony lies in the fact that time itself has already done much of the work of retribution, rendering the women’s plans unnecessary.

This theme highlights how mortality impedes the characters’ attempts to act upon their desires for vengeance, showing that while personal vendettas may seem urgent, the relentless passage of time neutralizes much of the animosity.

The Complex Dynamics of Misogyny and the Systemic Undermining of Women in Academia and Literary Circles

The theme of misogyny and the systemic undermining of women is a prominent feature in the story. Atwood delves into the subtle yet pervasive ways in which women’s accomplishments, particularly in male-dominated fields like academia and literature, are belittled and sabotaged.

Fern, the story’s central figure, is a successful writer whose career is deliberately targeted by a group of male peers. The men’s criticism of her work is rooted not only in intellectual rivalry but also in a deep-seated resentment toward a woman who dared to rise within their circle.

The story reveals how these men engage in intellectual gatekeeping, using their positions of power to attack and diminish Fern’s literary achievements. While some of the men later express regret for their actions, the story exposes how deeply ingrained these biases are, and how they persist despite Fern’s continued success.

The Emotional Weight of Friendship, Loyalty, and the Unbreakable Bonds Among Women in Times of Adversity

Cut & Thirst also delves into the emotional intricacies of friendship, particularly the profound loyalty that can develop between women who share both personal and professional histories. The three main characters—Myrna, Leonie, and Chrissy—demonstrate a fierce dedication to Fern, who has been wronged by the male academics.

Their bond is a source of strength, and they find humor and solace in their gatherings, which revolve around casual meals and spirited conversation. Their loyalty to Fern transcends her own disinterest in revenge, showing the lengths to which they are willing to go to protect their friend’s honor.

This theme emphasizes how, in times of distress or injustice, the relationships between women can offer emotional support, providing a counterbalance to the more destructive impulses of society or individual circumstances.

The Shifting Cultural Landscape of Academia and Literary Norms, and the Evolving Nature of Artistic and Moral Standards

Atwood subtly critiques the changing cultural tides within academia and literature, using the story’s backdrop of retired professors and their reflections on past injustices. The women’s discussions often touch upon the shifting norms in both their professional fields and society at large, which have evolved over time.

They discuss the differences between the generations, with younger academics sometimes taking a more progressive approach, in contrast to the older men who engaged in personal vendettas against Fern. This theme interrogates the intersection of intellectual achievement and moral considerations, questioning whether academic or artistic integrity can truly be separated from personal biases and moral flaws.

The women themselves grapple with the question of whether their pursuit of revenge is a moral imperative or a misguided attempt to correct an injustice long after it may have passed its expiration date.

The Irony of Revenge, and the Realization that Seeking Retribution May Be Hollow in the Face of Life’s Ephemeral Nature

One of the most compelling themes in Cut & Thirst is the paradoxical nature of revenge. The women’s initial fervor to seek retribution for Fern’s suffering is gradually tempered by the realization that revenge itself may be futile.

Their plans are riddled with complications, not only due to their aging bodies and failing health but also because the very men they wish to punish are either too frail, too remorseful, or no longer alive to face the consequences of their actions.

As the women come to terms with the reality that the passage of time has already exacted its toll on their enemies, they question the value of seeking revenge. The story concludes with a sense of resignation, acknowledging that time and nature have already dealt with many of the wrongs that they initially felt compelled to avenge.

Atwood masterfully contrasts the passionate thirst for retribution with the ultimate realization that the futility of revenge lies in the transience of life itself.