"1984" and "The Handmaid's Tale"

Paper Summary:

This essay compares and contrasts the different types of authority figures within George Orwell's "1984" and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaids Tale". It discusses how the protagonists of both novels live in societies in which repressive totalitarian regimes exist and how both regimes have clear figureheads in which ultimate authority resides. In particular, the paper examines that relationships between the Commander and Offred and Winston and O'Brien.

From the Paper:

"The protagonists of both novels live in societies in which repressive totalitarian regimes exist. Both regimes have clear figureheads in which ultimate authority resides. Within the 'Handmaid's Tale' authority resides within the aptly named 'Commanders'. It is with one of these Commanders's that our protagonist who we know as Offred, a pseudo name deriving from Fred her Commanders name resides. As well as her Commander Offred is also subject to the control of other women within the novel. The Commander's wife known as Serena Joy is an authority figure within the household and the Aunts who controlled the re-education within the Red Centres also dominate the remainder of Offred's life. Within '1984' ultimate authority lies with Big Brother and the government members of the Inner Party, a small minority of the population. Winston '1984's' protagonist becomes involved with one of these Inner Party members known as O'Brien. This is the only authority figure that is individualised throughout '1984'. It is however the relationship between the Commander and Offred and Winston and O'Brien which denote the most interesting comparisons and contrasts. This is due to the involvement each authority figures play in the protagonists lives, as through them the protagonists learn, as does the reader about all aspects of the respective regimes."

More papers on "1984" and "The Handmaid's Tale":

• Comparison Essay # 100871 : "Dreams and Memories in "Nineteen Eighty Four" and "The Handmaids Tale"
• Book Review # 112822 : "Fundamentalist Society and "The Handmaid's Tale"
• Comparison Essay # 112541 : "The Handmaids Tale" and "Moll Flanders"

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