A Feminist Look at the Descent of OdinIt is obvious that there are many differences between men and women. Throughout history, women have learned to dress, act, and speak differently from men. These differences are so common that they can sometimes be overlooked in daily life and reading. By looking more closely at the poems and stories, one can begin to see how often gender differences occur. “The Decent of Odin” by Thomas Gray, when read from a feminist perspective, can reveal many examples of these differences through the use of dialogue. The feminist Marxist perspective examines the relationship between class and gender (HCAL 202). This poem was written in 1761, at a time when women were considered second to men. Men talked to and controlled women, especially women from the lower classes. In this poem, Odin is the leader of the Norse gods and the prophetess is only a humble god of the underworld (Grey 61). This gives Odin control over her. The poem shows a good example of this control that Odin's men exercise. When he demands to know who killed his son, he commands the prophetess: “Once more, obey my call” (51). Three times he orders the prophetess to obey. This continued order to obey is also a clue to the reader that Odin is of a higher class than the Prophetess. Not only does he command the prophetess, but he also insults her. After discovering who Odin is, he responds to him by saying: “You are no divine servant of auspiciousness, nor prophetess of good; but mother of the giant brood! (84-86) At the time this poem was written, chivalry was very important. Although a woman was not considered equal to a man, she was treated with some respect if she was of a higher class. The prophetess, however, belonged to a lower class of gods than Odin and, therefore, was spoken to as if she were a servant. The differences between the sexes are even more woven into the tone of each character. Odin speaks forcefully as men do more often than women. He is also more direct in what he says, as the Prophetess takes four lines to ask who wakes her from her sleep. Odin interrupts the prophetess at one point in the poem, which is an action associated more with men than women..