Introduction
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and The Bath by Janet Frame both show the extraordinary loss of freedom humans can suffer in their lives. These talented writers have portrayed this theme through skilful use of characterisation, setting and imagery.
In dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, antagonist Offred is stripped of her freedom by a theocracy. This government demand single women to be surrogates for rich, barren couples. In the short story, The Bath by Janet Frame, a widowed elderly woman struggles with her diminishing health and the consequential loss of freedom.
Loss of Freedom
The theme loss of freedom is very relevant in contemporary society as many people can relate to this. Whether it be from external or internal conflicts, the loss of freedom from or freedom to. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred loses freedom to, due to the external forces of the government. The day she loses her job, Offred is bewildered by the events, but her best friend fills her in with the news, “woman can’t hold property anymore… it’s a new law.” This situation escalates, until she is owned by a man called Fred, whom she must bear a child to. Her name Offred is not her real name, it is …show more content…
In The Handmaid’s Tale, main character Offred is skilfully crafted. Although few physical details are given, her actions and thoughts give insight into the person she is. Despite her position as a Handmaid demanding her to be “a nondescript woman”, however, whilst not being a blatant rebel she finds little ways to defy cruel world she is a slave to. When out shopping one day, she makes a pointed effort to catch the eye of a young man, who’s position does not allow him to look at the Handmaids. She feels this is “an event, a small defiance of rule… such rewards I hold out for myself.” Showing that in a society so strict, she will not be completely submissive to it. These small acts of rebellion seem to keep her
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and The Bath by Janet Frame both show the extraordinary loss of freedom humans can suffer in their lives. These talented writers have portrayed this theme through skilful use of characterisation, setting and imagery.
In dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, antagonist Offred is stripped of her freedom by a theocracy. This government demand single women to be surrogates for rich, barren couples. In the short story, The Bath by Janet Frame, a widowed elderly woman struggles with her diminishing health and the consequential loss of freedom.
Loss of Freedom
The theme loss of freedom is very relevant in contemporary society as many people can relate to this. Whether it be from external or internal conflicts, the loss of freedom from or freedom to. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred loses freedom to, due to the external forces of the government. The day she loses her job, Offred is bewildered by the events, but her best friend fills her in with the news, “woman can’t hold property anymore… it’s a new law.” This situation escalates, until she is owned by a man called Fred, whom she must bear a child to. Her name Offred is not her real name, it is …show more content…
In The Handmaid’s Tale, main character Offred is skilfully crafted. Although few physical details are given, her actions and thoughts give insight into the person she is. Despite her position as a Handmaid demanding her to be “a nondescript woman”, however, whilst not being a blatant rebel she finds little ways to defy cruel world she is a slave to. When out shopping one day, she makes a pointed effort to catch the eye of a young man, who’s position does not allow him to look at the Handmaids. She feels this is “an event, a small defiance of rule… such rewards I hold out for myself.” Showing that in a society so strict, she will not be completely submissive to it. These small acts of rebellion seem to keep her