Comparing Handmaid's Tale And V For Vendetta

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Question: “Fiction is a lie through which we tell the truth” To what extent do the texts you have studied effectively express truths about the world? Intro: Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (THT, 1985) and James McTeigue’s V for Vendetta (V4V, 2005) are two powerful examples of how fiction may reflect and analyse social realities in the field of speculative fiction. Readers are made very aware of the frightening reality of totalitarianism and the urgent need for resistance through the perspective of these stories. Through Offred's horrific experiences, Atwood's story clearly illustrates the widespread misogyny and the degradation of bodily autonomy within the Gilead dictatorship. Similarly, McTeague's depiction of a violent and harsh …show more content…

Atwood creates the dystopian society in the novel inspired by the totalitarian control which religious fundamentalism held. More specifically, meaning the literal interpretation of religious texts, and a belief in the absolute authority of the religion’s teachings. Another character in the novel, known as ‘Aunt Lydia’, states “The Republic of Gilead, said Aunt Lydia, knows no bounds”. Gilead is within you.” Atwood effectively utilises symbolism by signifying the loss of individual freedom and autonomy and the all-encompassing, inevitable control imposed by the regime. It also shows how thoroughly the ideology of Gilead has been absorbed by the people. Similarly, As Offred states "A rat in a maze is free to go anywhere, as long as it stays inside the maze." Atwood metaphorizes the individuals like Offred herself in Gilead, as rats, and the maze symbolizes the restrictive society. Atwood implies that although individuals have the flexibility to make decisions within the constraints of an organised environment, they are ultimately limited by their surroundings. Additionally, McTeigue also expressed the significance of citizens resisting encroaching totalitarianism. In V4V, McTeigue relates the scene where V is addressing the population via mass media to encourage political activity in one year’s time, to the horrible event of 9/11, which is thematically related to the call for societal change in the face of oppressive systems and the awakening of political consciousness. In this scene, V states “Who wouldn’t be? War, Terror, and Disease”. McTeigue cleverly utilises rhetorical questioning to intensify the grim reality of this dystopic world, therefore emphasising the pervasive and unavoidable threats. Furthermore, in the same scene, McTeigue utilised a Over the

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