From obese teenager to sexy mistress, from author of cheap romances to avant garde poet, from lover of a polish count to wife of a left wing radical, Joan's life is full of change. The story of her quest for happiness through self change is told by Margaret Atwood in Lady Oracle.

The story is told in first person, with commentary of the present juxtaposed with flashbacks from Joan's life. These techniques allow an intimate view of Joan's life from her perspective.

Atwood also uses symbolism to convey her ideas. The main recurring symbol is the `fat lady' who represents how Joan feels about herself and appears in Joan's imagination throughout the novel. She is depicted differently as Joan changes. Another technique Atwood uses to depict change is excerpts from Joan's romance Novels. These represent what Joan thinks will lead to happiness.

Joan is unhappy and uses change...