Comment on the way in which Atwood has constructed 'The Handmaid's Tale'.
Comment on the way in which Atwood has constructed 'The Handmaid's Tale' Through the course of 'The Handmaids Tale', Margaret Atwood uses an unconventional and ostensibly unordered form of plot construction to present Offred's tale and certain major themes effectively to the reader. The construction of 'The Handmaid's Tale' is strongly linked to the prime theme of time running through the novel, as well as other more subtle themes such as that of Offred's passive rebellion. In this essay I will explore the use of the novel's structure and its effectiveness in conveying the novel's thematic threads to the reader. The fragmented progression of plot and seemingly disjointed structure of the novel is made evident from the Table Of Contents where the predominant sections of 'Night' are interspersed with various singular sections, implying a cyclic and repetitive dimension to life in the patriarchal Gileadean society. While the other sections provide a reflection of the mundane nature of Gileadean life, Atwood utilises the 'Night' sections in presenting Offred's reminiscences on the past time, through which the majority of character and plot development takes place. Offred uses the night to express subversive notions such as the theme of re-ownership and independence in the quotation, 'the night is mine...to do as I will', as well as the significant reclamation of her body: 'I
Exploring the role of the Forest of Dean in Dennis Potters works.
Exploring the role of the Forest of Dean in Dennis Potters works. Dennis Potter is famed for his works including scenes in the Forest of Dean. The Forest of Dean is situated in the South West Of Gloucestershire, England. It is a place where mining boomed in the industrial revolution. As a result of this, the inhabitants grew to have, you could say, a culture of their own. Nowadays the "culture" has been, in some ways, disregarded. Dennis helps the long-time inhabitants of the forest to re-visit their former life-style and child-hood. In his dramas " Blue Remembered Hills" and "The Singing Detective", Potter re-visits his own childhood whilst writing. He shows the openness, happiness and freedom of the forest though he also shows more sinister side.. "For any writer, the first 14 years of his or her life are the crucible, no matter what you do." Potter states that childhood is a key part to a writer's life and that it may inspire them to set their books in the place of their upbringing. As Potter often does this, I think this is relevant to his writing. The first book to look at is, most obviously, "Blue Remembered Hills". In this piece, he sets his characters in the Forest of Dean. As the characters in Blue Remembered Hills are children, Potter uses its magnitude and beauty to dwarf the children. As he is a T.V. writer, he is allowed to use such an enormous set, as on
Stories and story telling has many purposes in 'The Handmaids Tale.' Discuss how and why Offred tells her stories.
Stories and story telling has many purposes in 'The Handmaids Tale.' Discuss how and why Offred tells her stories. Offred tells stories in 'The Handmaids Tale' to take herself away the reality of the regime in Gilead. Offred constantly drifts away into memories of the past to be able to cope with everyday life. She sees things as she wants them to happen but things will probably never be the way they were. Although her memories are not detailed or extensive, it does become clear that 'The Handmaids Tale' is a dystopia. Offred can remember the days before, when she lived with and made love to her husband Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter, when she had a job, her own money and access to knowledge. But all that is gone now. Many of Offred's stories are about her past life and she is obsessed by the contrast between her present life and her lost freedom. In chapter 7, Offred explains her storytelling as a survival tool "I would like to believe this is a story I'm telling. I need to believe it. I must believe it. Those who can believe that such stories are only stories have a better chance.... If it is a story I'm telling then have control over the ending, to the story, and real life will come after it." She explains that what she is telling is not a story but it is what is going through her head. She then explains how she can only 'tell' as writing is
How does Atwood present the commander throughout "The Handmaid's Tale?"
How does Atwood present the commander throughout the novel? Throughout the novel the commander is presented as a complex and changing character to the reader, which is fitting as the readers perception of the commander constantly changes. His position in Gilead presents the rebellion along the chain of command as he is among the elite of the country yet is ruthless in his manners. The first perception that the reader is presented with to feel towards the commander is contempt and disgust, this becomes from the ceremony where he appears focused on the simple means of his duty, and seems unfazed by the whole event to the readers disgust, who is shocked and dismayed by the ceremony. This is portrayed by Offreds description of the Commander seemingly preoccupied as if he is 'drumming his fingers on the table' this quote illustrates the customary approach of the commander who appears to take the event as normal every day life. The next perception that the reader is presented with is the commander's façade of asking Offred to his office, it is clear who has real supremacy and how far they intend to use it to manipulate people, especially those in the range below themselves. He knows it is against society yet still takes the risks, Offred describes their meeting as illegal but for her to 'refuse to see him could be worse, there is no doubt who holds the real power' The
Joseph Hellers themes and narrative styles in Catch-22
Joseph Heller's themes and narrative styles in Catch-22 Introduction I decided to write my assignment about Heller's Catch-22, because I admire his narrative style and the use of irony, parody and humor in his most successful novel. Moreover, the novel takes place in a time that is still close to the present. If you look at the American literary epochs you find "Literature of the Early Republic", "Romanticism and American Renaissance", "Realism", "Naturalism", "Modernism" and at the end "Postmodernism". When you are dealing with the earlier epochs, you learn a lot about our history and important works in those times that expressed the feelings and fears of the people in those periods. Looking at the epoch of Postmodernism, it feels a bit different, because we are not talking about the "way back" past, but about the time after World War II, which ended just 64 years ago and still affects our lives now. The idea of Catch-22, the oppression of the individual by men in charge, is still present in today's society. I think it is very important to discuss works like that because we can learn from the past. The novel is not just about war, it can be seen as a metaphor for systems that make every decision end in a catastrophe. In this assignment, I will start with a bibliographic overview of Joseph Heller's life and follow up with the historical background for the novel. After
Compare and contrast the ways these authors present the oppressive society of their dystopias and the effect these techniques have on the reader.
Atwood: 'The Handmaids Tale' Orwell: '1984' Compare and contrast the ways these authors present the oppressive society of their dystopias and the effect these techniques have on the reader. Both novels stimulate the reader's anxieties and fears as they explore the dystopic worlds of 'Airstrip One' and 'Gilead'. All of the aspects and issues that are portrayed in the societies are conveyed using a number of techniques such as the manipulation of the familiar and comfortable with the alien and unnerving that Airstrip One and Gilead come to represent. The basic literary techniques and depth of detail are paralleled in both of these pieces of prose and go someway in highlighting the similarity in style yet the backgrounds and eras of the authors set the texts apart and the means (characters, motifs, symbols and experience) they use to deliver the chilling messages behind the novels. '1984' is a political novel written with a purpose of warning readers about the dangers of totalitarian states and in one part says that if you want to see a picture of the future ' imagine a boot stamping on a human face forever'. It is a horrific view of the destruction of totalitarianism. Some of what Orwell prophesised came true in Russia, to some degree. In Stalinist Russia, documents were destroyed as in the 'Ministry of Truth' and there was a 'beautification' of a leader, like there is
The handmaids tale - Character development and contribution to the text as a whole.
Character development and contribution to the text as a whole Main characters in stories have the innate ability to steal the limelight from all other characters simply the plot is based around them. However, readers must be aware the without supporting characters, whether good or bad, a story could not develop into something meaningful. Supporting characters guide the plot, reveal themes, and most importantly contribute to characterization of main characters. One could argue that supporting characters are more important for the author to portray accurately as they are essential for the success of the main character and hence story. Comparing Roger Chillingworth from Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter and the Commander from Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale will offer a succinct explanation of this question. Introducing anyone into a story is difficult, as readers will immediately make judgments and assume first impressions are correct. Changing the depiction of a character halfway through the novel without any support from plot signifies a weak author. Chillingworth and the Commander are carefully intertwined into the novel in a similar fashion. The reader meets Chillingworth at Hester's most vulnerable stage as she stands on the scaffold revealing her scarlet letter for the first time. His real character and relationship with Hester is not spoken about immediately, as the author
Character Analysis - The Commander/Commanders.
Character Analysis - The Commander/Commanders. The character of the Commanders is one of the highest in the social hierarchy of Gilead. The Commander who is based in the house with Offred does not have a lot of light shed on his character in the opening chapters. The reader is never really told the occupation of the Commander but we know that he must be an important figure, as Ofglen refers to him as being at "the top". The Commander is described to be, roughly, a middle aged man with "silver" hair, blue "uncommunicative" eyes and thick fingers. His character is also associated with the colour of black, which is a formal colour that signifies authority and can also be a symbol of death and depression. It is possible that this is a technique used by Atwood to represent his character in the novel. I believe that the Commander's function is one that shows the highest form of male authority, which is therefore able to express the need for the basic human instincts to an extreme e.g compassion and companionship. "You want my life to be bearable..............I do. I would prefer it." This quote shows that the Commander, who is supposed to feel nothing towards the Handmaids, can't help giving into his sympathy, as it is a natural thing for people to do. His character also conveys the feminist and socialist issues, both negatively and positively. Although he leaves the character
The “Dangers” of Fantasy “Harry Potter
The "Dangers" of Fantasy "Harry Potter!! Harry Potter!!" Anyone that hasn't heard that name must have just awoken from a five-year coma. This series of children's books has reignited kids' desire to read and while doing so entertained numerous adults. I confess, I'm a bona fide "Potter-Head." I read the first three books in three days. The day the fourth came out, I had my hands on a copy and within 36 hours, I'd eagerly and excitedly thumbed through over 700 pages of magic. These books have everything: friends, foes, romance, despair, action, family, suspense, murder - "Murder? Did he just say murder? Well we can't let children be exposed to this." Sadly, it seems that this is the growing opinion of the conservative parents of America. Any work deemed even the smallest bit offensive is immediately put "on trial." Be it literature, music, films, or television, it is equal prey to these "protectors" of our nation's future. Children are being denied great works, the Harry Potter books being just one of many. Why? Can the children handle the violence, death or villains? Instead of denying the kids wholesome entertainment that has a little bit of an edge, we should use these avenues of expression to teach them a little bit about real life. Maybe the easiest and most obvious thing to teach your children is the difference between fact and fiction. For the five or
What is the importance of Moira in the novel? Consider the ways in which the writer presents this character.
What is the importance of Moira in the novel? Consider the ways in which the writer presents this character. Moira is Offred's best friend in 'The Handmaid's Tale', from the time before. She too is a survivor of the American permissive society, who actively rebels against the Gilead system, by constantly running away from the Red Centre, where she is to be trained to become a Handmaid. She is the heroin of the novel, fighting a one-woman resistance against an entire nation. It is Moira who predicts the rise of Gilead, knowing that liberties taken for granted cease to be liberties. "Look out," Moria says to Offred, as the Gileadean coup begins. "You wait, she said. They've been building up to this. It's you and me against the wall, baby. She was quoting an expression of my mother's, but she wasn't intending to be funny". She is presented as a strongly individual character against the background of a society that seeks to deny the rights of the individual. Offred finds comfort in her memories of Moira whom she sees as the embodiment of female heroism because she stubbornly refuses to submit to the principles of a male-dominated regime. For example wearing clothes from the time before, 'She still had her clothes on, jeans and a blue sweatshirt - her hair was short, she'd defied fashion as usual.' We are first introduced to the character of Moira in chapter 7, as a trendy