Sunday, December 29, 2019

Compare And Contrast The Handmaids Tale And Margaret Atwood

A dystopia is a common genre among many novels and all novels are able to capture the problems within the current society. These problems can vary and each different setting has different problems than the other. Margaret Atwood wrote The Handmaid’s Tale in an effort to capture problems going on in real life: abortion and women’s rights. Another author that captures a similar essence to Atwood’s is Suzanne Young in her novel series The Program. Although both authors emphasize different problems that are going on in society, they both have a correlative narrative style. While Young discusses the stigma around people who have a mental illness and how they should be separated from society, both authors use a similar voice in their writing.†¦show more content†¦Even though the women who can bear children are â€Å"cherished†, the babies are not which can be seen when babies are referred to as â€Å"shredders† and â€Å"unbabies.† Further more, it is interesting that the babies are not â€Å"cherished†, but the women who can bear children are because it is illegal to have an abortion and can lead to the doctor being killed who performed it. If the handmaids do not get pregnant within three months then they move down in the hierarchy. It is argued who has it worst in the society, however they all share something in common, being oppressed. The handmaids are not allowed to read, go out into public on their own and even have access to everyday things such as lotion. It is seen as vain and people say, â€Å"who are they trying to impress?† when they use such items. Offred steals butter to use as a substitute for lotion because she does not have access to it. Lastly, their names perfectly symbolize their oppression: Offred is Fred’s handmaid; she is â€Å"of Fred.† Everyday liberties people take for granted and this dystopia shows what it would be like to live under these harsh laws that can le ad to execution. The Program as well takes place in a dystopian society in the future. In this case, the problem that is focused onShow MoreRelatedThe Crucible And The Handmaids Tale Analysis1176 Words   |  5 PagesIn the books The Crucible by Arthur Miller and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood truth is large concept. Throughout the books truth is used to define the perception and the reality through key symbols that go above and beyond an object. 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