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not cope with it. They think that she is doing something charitable with Grace, but that Grace will always be a murderess, no matter how kindly she is treated.
Grace says they go to see her because she is a celebrated murderess, but she herself cannot understand why, as murder is not usually something that is celebrated.

The daughters of the Governor's wife see Grace as a romantic figure; one that never smiles or laughs. Grace says that it's not because she doesn't want to laugh, but because if she laughed aloud, she may never stop.

Other people's opinions of her are also discussed, including some references to Susanna Moodie's work; she finds it difficult to understand all the contrasting things said about her, such as her having blue eyes and green eyes, that she is an "inhuman female demon" and an "innocent victim of a blackguard", or that she is "cunning and devious" (a quote from Moodie) and that she is "soft in the head and little better than an idiot".

The section titles are all names of patchwork quilt patterns. This is significant to Grace's character because they are almost like women's secret knowledge, and by using anything to do with embroidery, Atwood is showing the reader that Grace is a mysterious character. There is a scene in with Grace discusses a sampler, with Dr Simon Jordan, and he is a little confused by it. By using these items of female knowledge, Atwood is showing that Grace can hide things both from Simon, and the reader.

Simon also gives us a perspective of Grace's character. His prospective shows us the mysterious side to Grace, and, at one point, even gives her saint-like qualities.
Simon doesn't see Grace as he does other women in his life. He tends to see the other women in terms of food or animals, but Grace is something different, something more powerful. When Simon looks at the picture of Grace in a pamphlet from the murders, and his description of Grace is sympathetic.
"the mouth dainty, the expression conventionally soulful
The vapid pensiveness of a Magdalene,
with the large eyes gazing at nothing."
As well as this description of Grace being sympathetic towards her, it is also comparing her to the Saint Mary Magdalene, who was one of the sinners whom Jesus Christ visited when he rose from his grave. This is giving the readers the view that Simon may think Grace is innocent.

Simon Jordan is another main character in the novel. He is the psychoanalyst that has been asked by a group who claim Grace is innocent, by analysing her to

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