Caged in Dystopia "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed" (Martin Luther King Jr. - American minister and activist). Martin Luther King Jr.'s powerful statement establishes the foundation for examining the hostile theme of oppression in Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and P.D. James' Children of Men. Oppression is characterized by the “unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Oppression illustrates how extensive systems of authority affect perceptions of freedom and worth. Oppression highlights the widespread fear that characterizes the human condition when confronted by oppressive regimes, as illustrated through the challenges faced by characters …show more content…
Both narratives depict how resistance is necessary to maintain one's sense of self. However, it may result in severe consequences for individuals who confront oppressive structures, illustrating the constant struggle for justice and freedom in the face of widespread fear and control. The issue of resistance in these media reveals the personal costs while simultaneously reinforcing how oppression leads to resistance, demonstrating how fear becomes established in society. In Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, P.D. James' Children of Men, control emerges as a powerful force that profoundly impacts individuals. Atwood portrays an oppressive society in Gilead that systematically controls every aspect of women's lives, as demonstrated by the manipulation of their identities and bodies. The Handmaids are symbols of this objectification and loss of freedom, stripped of their names and forced into roles based solely on their fertility. Offred reflects on the Ceremony, where she observes, “My arms are raised; she holds my hands, each of mine in each of hers. This is supposed to signify that we are one flesh, one