Dreams and Memories in "Nineteen Eighty Four" and "The Handmaids Tale"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the importance of dreams and memories in two dystopian fictions - "Nineteen Eighty Four" by George Orwell and "The Handmaids Tale" by Margaret Atwood. It explains how the use of memories and dreams is a very useful tool which both authors have used in order to reflect the society and the characters within it. The writer discusses how throughout both novels the memories appear to be more vivid and detailed than the dreams, and how this helps the reader to understand events which have occurred to the protagonist. The writer further suggests how the memories represent the past and how it can affect the future, as well as how active the character is in the present. The writer points out that dreams also help Winston and Offred to face memories which are repressed during the day; they are as significant as memories if fewer in quantity. The writer concludes that both dreams and memories allow the reader a greater insight into the minds of the protagonists.

From the Paper:

"Throughout '1984' and the 'Handmaids Tale' the need to escape from everyday life is and overwhelming urge, due to the harshly restricted and regimental lives which both protagonists live. Both societies are examples of totalitarian regimes in which the present situation is very different to the one in which they grew up in. In the 'Handmaid's Tale' it appears that the period is that of present day, her memories and dreams therefore range over the period of about thirty years. Starting from the 1970's when she was a child with her mother up to the 21st century in the Red centre. In '1984' Winston's memories cover the same periods of time however the period in which the society is set is not as clear as in the 'Handmaids Tale'."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Margaret Atwood 'The Handmaids Tale'
• George Orwell 'Nineteen Eighty Four'

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