Analyse the relationships between the characters in the Handmaids Tale.
Analyse the relationships between the characters in the Handmaids Tale. In this essay I will be looking at how the relationships are presented between Offred and some of the other characters. The main relationship that progresses in the Novel is the relationship between Offred and the commander. The Commander originally seems to be the one in power and this is true Offred tells us how weary she is in this quote "I'm watching you, one false move and I'm dead," in this quote Offred knows that she is been judged and that she must be seen to be perfect. "I'm watching you," shows that Offred is wary and "one false move and I'm dead," shows Offred knows she's in a venerable position and her future lies in someone else's hands. Before the Commander and Offred's first meeting we see this apprehension again, "I feel like a child who's been summoned at school... what have I done wrong." This quote shows how Offred feels before her first meeting with the Commander. The image of her standing outside the principles office gives me that impression that Offred feels nervous because she knows that the power isn't with her, the Commander is in control he can decide her fait which is why she feels nervous. We see how not all the power in this relationship is with the commander. He might have the social power and be able to decide the fate of Offred but still Offred has something the
Can we critically analyse Ian McEwan's Atonement using psychoanalytic criticism?
LIT1002 Sara Williams Can we critically analyse Ian McEwan's Atonement using psychoanalytic criticism? Atonement is a post-modern novel, that centres around the protagonist, Briony and her search for forgiveness from her sister Cecelia and a family friend Robbie, the word 'atonement', meaning 'the action of making amends for a wrong or injury'1. Briony is a thirteen year old, middle class girl whom is an aspiring writer, and at the start of the novel is conducting a play known as The Trials of Arabella. We see throughout the novel Briony is no ordinary 13 year old girl as her imagination is full of stories that can distort her image of reality; this is why the method of psychoanalysis may be applied. Psychoanalysis is 'a form of therapy which aims to cure mental disorders by investigating the interaction between the conscious and the unconscious elements of the mind'2. The novel explores the relationship between the conscious events that happen, and the different subconscious views the characters have on these events all though the creative act of story-telling. The novel begins with the focus on Briony and her eagerness to get her play, The Trials of Arabella, finished for when her brother, Leon, returns home. This play shows Briony's immaturity even through her intelligent wording, it still encapsulates a heroine being rescued by a prince, and thus we can see her
'Don't ever ask for the true story' - an examination of the narrative methods used in "Alias Grace" and "Affinity."
Abigail Rawlins JSL 'Don't ever ask for the true story' - an examination of the narrative methods used in Alias Grace and Affinity. Both Alias Grace, a fictionalised account of a true story and Affinity, a modern novel, display contrasting and comparable features within the narrative structure. They are also both similarly set within the depths of a woman's prison providing an insight into a particular female prisoner. Margaret Atwood has been thorough in her research for Alias Grace and has brought to life a fascinating story. The narrative methods and structure play a vital role in how we perceive each character and whether or not we consider the narrator to be a stable, trustworthy storyteller, or whether, as a reader we are being manipulated and starved of the truth. The central figure in Alias Grace is a young girl called Grace Marks. She is one of the most "celebrated" women of her generation, having been convicted of murder in 1843 at the tender age of sixteen. Dr Jordan, a young Doctor intrigued by insanity and memory loss takes up Grace's case in an attempt to help recover her memory. (compare dr jorden with margeret here). Inspired by a true story, Alias Grace arouses many uncertainties within the finished piece. Interspersed with Dr Jordan's own problems, Grace's story unfolds in her own words. She is brought to life, provided with first person narration,
J.K. Rowling: The clat of a great achievement.
J.K. Rowling: The éclat of a great achievement Vishal Mehta Mrs. Mahoney English Honors 10 East Islip High School January 25, 2007 Joanne Kathleen Rowling is an English fiction author who has turned a generation of youth onto reading. Rowling is renowned for the creation of the Harry Potter fantasy series, which has caught the attention of both children and adults worldwide. Furthermore, the fantasy series has won Rowling multiple awards and has sold well "over 375 million copies worldwide" (Wikipedia par.1). Though there remains one more book until the celebrated series is complete, Rowling has still accumulated quite a fortune; estimated to be over one billion USD (United States Dollars) (Wikipedia par.1). Rowling's "rags to riches" story has and remains a source of great inspiration for both struggling and established authors. Her novels are a source of entertainment, often substituting for television, movies, and video games in many households across the world. J.K. Rowling's novels consist of an array of characters and various settings, some based off of Greek Mythology, others created purely by imagination and several relating to her own life. However, beneath the light humor and suspense of each book lies a moral lesson. Her stories aim not only to entertain but alert readers to the ills of society, flaws such as prejudice and egoism. Joanne Kathleen Rowling was
How does Atwood explore the theme of love in the novel 'The Handmaid's Tale'?
Mandip Dhillon 2N How does Atwood explore the theme of love in the novel? The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood describes the story of Offred, a Handmaid, a woman ascribed a breeding function by the society in which she lives in, and who is placed with a husband and wife higher up the social ladder that "need" a child. Through Offred's eyes we explore the rigidity of the theocracy in which she lives, the contradictions in the society they have created, and her attempts to find solace through otherwise trivial things. In this essay I will talk and explore the issue of how "love" is portrayed throughout the 'Handmaid's Tale.' The people and the situations, where love is required and abused, such as in the 'ceremony!' The immediate form of love in the novel is the love between 'Offred' and her best friend 'Moira.' This love is portrayed to the readers through the eyes of 'friendship' shared between two people through times of childhood, right through to the times of hardship, such as in the society of Gilead. Moira has been Offred's friend right from high school, when she would come around her house, 'dropping her denim jacket onto the floor...' Right through to the times where Offred was having an affair, with Luke, her present husband. Moira's love for Offred seems to come across as her guide and advisor, she is the one individual described by Offred as being a
Discuss Harper Lee's presentation of prejudice and injustice in the trial episode. Pay particular attention to the way in which the author uses the characters and structure of the narrative to influence the reader.
To Kill A Mockingbird The Trial Scene Chapters 16 - 20 Discuss Harper Lee's presentation of prejudice and injustice in the trial episode. Pay particular attention to the way in which the author uses the characters and structure of the narrative to influence the reader. The end of chapter fifteen (Lynch mob scene) gives us, the reader, a deeper understanding of the Finch's bond as a family. The reason Harper Lee chooses to construct the narrative in this way is so that it creates a greater impact when an injustice is committed upon someone either within the Finch family or someone in the family who extends their love or support to another person. In this case the injustice is committed upon Tom Robinson and one of the reasons that we feel such a sense of wrong doing is because Atticus a man who "does no wrong" extends a great deal of love to him. This is frowned upon by most of the town members and when they commit an injustice upon Tom Robinson (i.e. white jury full of every day people) we see how wrong it is and this is reflected in Atticus. The unwillingness of Jem to leave his fathers side when in considerable danger and Scout's perception of them being physically unalike, " but they were somehow alike. Mutual defiance made them alike." This is very important later on when wee see Atticus growing wearisome in court. Harper Lee has made us aware of the mutual affection
Mystery and Suspense In the Harry Potter Novels.
Samantha Singer 27.10.02 MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE IN THE HARRY POTTER NOVELS Mystery and suspense play a large part in the Harry Potter novels by J. K. Rowling. The word mystery is defined as "something that is not or cannot be known, understood or explained." Words that come to mind when the word mystery is heard are: strange or unexpected, confusing, conspiracy, suspense, unbelievable and twist. All the words can be used in describing the Harry Potter novels. A mystery is like a puzzle with a piece missing or a crime unsolved. The mystery builds up using suspense, and discovering clues. It reaches its climax. Then begins to unravel and finally reaches a solution. Mystery works well with completely bizarre and weird things or characters, but works just as well, maybe even better, when humans are used. When you compile both of these ideas you are left with Harry Potter. Harry Potter is set in real places in England. Descriptions of the area resurrect the real area from the past. Areas such as Diagon Ally, Knockturn Ally and the streets of London are described. Mystery works well when so many things are familiar, such as these areas and the idea of kids buying ice creams and practical jokes while the adults went for a drink in a pub. Rowling gives guidelines in her descriptions but still allows for the reader's imagination to take over and create their own pictures.
Howis memory used in the novel? Atwood
How is memory used in the novel? (Timed essay typed up) We learn much about Offred through her own personal private thought. Atwood uses a technique of writing known as stream of conscientious which allows Offred`s thoughts to flow providing the reader with a real sense of intimacy with Offred as she reveals her innermost secrets and emotions to us. In Offred`s thoughts and dreams she is taken back to memories of when she had freedom to do as she desired, when she was in college with Moira, and times with Luke and her daughter Offred does most of her contemplating, she says 'The night is mine.' She is not withdrawn or examined at night. She frequently reminisces about the past, paralleling the experiences to her present state of mind. This is part of the exposition used by Atwood in order to help the reader understand how Offred came to where she is to provide us with background information of the plot. Offred's person is in addition revealed in flashback demonstrating that her female counterparts from the past generally influence her such as her mother and her best friend. Her best friend is a lively and bubbly character named Moira who is a key figure in Offred's character development in the novel. Offred says of her, 'Moira was our fantasy. We hugged her to us, she was with us in secret, a giggle; she was lava beneath the crust of daily life. In light of Moira, Aunts
The creation of Offred, the passive narrator of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, was intentional.
The creation of Offred, the passive narrator of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, was intentional. The personality of the narrator in this novel is almost as important as the task bestowed upon her. Atwood chooses an average women, appreciative of past times, who lacks imagination and fervor, to contrast the typical feminist, represented in this novel by her mother and her best friend, Moira. Atwood is writing for a specific audience, though through careful examination, it can be determined that the intended audience is actually the mass population. Although particular groups may find The Handmaid's Tale more enjoyable than others, the purpose of the novel is to enlighten the general population, as opposed to being a source of entertainment. A specific group that may favor this novel is the women activists of the 1960's and 1970's. This group, in which Offred's mother would be a member, is sensitive to the censorship that women once faced and would show interest to the "possible future" that could result. Offred is symbolic of "every woman". She was conventional in prior times, married with one daughter, a husband and a career. She is ambivalent to many things that may seem horrific to the reader. On page 93, Offred is witness to Janine's confession of being raped. She doesn't comment on how the blame is placed on Janine. Is this because Offred
'There is more than one kind of freedom,' said Aunt Lydia. 'Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from.' Examine the qualities of life for women in the light of Aunt Lydia's statement.
Rachel Crick 15th October 2003 'There is more than one kind of freedom,' said Aunt Lydia. 'Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from.' Examine the qualities of life for women in the light of Aunt Lydia's statement. Illustrate methods used to protect women. In chapter five, Offred reminisces about her past, about the time before she was thrown into this dystopia, Gilead. She remembers her previous life and all the things that she took for granted and now wishes she could be reunited with. When out shopping, Offred recounts the changes that have been made to the town where, it seems, she has lived all her life. Often Offred's memories are started by smells, or by sights that are familiar to her. It is through these memories that the reader discovers what has happened over the past few years, and how society has changed. Offred starts in Chapter One by using the past tense to refer to her situation and for what the gymnasium represented in the past. The past for Offred is now gone, and probably will be forgotten or changed by future generations in time. We learn about Offred's background as she recounts her past and she tells us about the situation she now finds herself in. We know that Offred is educated; she studied Psychology, English and Economics to a high level, maybe studying these