Speculative fiction has evolved as an umbrella genre with underlying postulates that challenge the boundaries of narratives, depicting contemporary life and mirroring real social events through narrative devices. Through speculative fiction, and the freedom to explore and construct alternate universes, realities, or fantasies, that may demonstrate themes such as corruption control or diminution of liberties within a society, contemporary politics and beliefs can be questioned, ridiculed, commented upon and reflected upon. Margaret Atwood’s futuristic dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, and the science fiction film, V for Vendetta, directed by James McTeigue, are both exemplary examples of speculative fiction that effectively challenges the political climate of their respective eras through their …show more content…
This article will examine how The Handmaid’s Tale and V for Vendetta critique political and societal events through speculative fiction, and how these narratives serve as a cautionary reflection on contemporary and future society. In both The Handmaid’s Tale and V for Vendetta, the issue of corruption and control is delineated skillfully through the totalitarian regimes of Gilead and Norsefire, demonstrating how authorities exercise power to manipulate society, ensuring perpetuation of their governmental position, which reflects upon the rise of conservative movements in the 1980s, such as that of the Moral Majority in the US supported by the Reagan administration. Depicted in the threats of being sent to the Colonies, which are actually prison camps, Atwood’s use of euphemisms in the novel strategically portrays how the manipulation of words and meaning distort truthful realities; therefore, a form of control that Gliead utilises to conciliate the citizens to
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
Atwood's dystopian fiction novel, The Handmaid's Tale, published in 1985, was created to highlight the patriarchal ideals that oppress women. Similarly, the 2005 motion film, 'V for Vendetta' by James McTigue, follows the downfall of the Government as power consumes them and justice is sought after. These two texts link within each other to broaden our understanding of their speculations. Oppression is an integral theme shared by both texts.
Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and James McTeigue’s “V for Vendetta” both serve as important pieces of literature, relating to the extremist and dangerous use of religion in politics. Atwood and Mcteigue’s conservative and theocratic worlds of Gilead and Norsefire reflect real world issues such as the restricting rights of one’s own body using the Bible, seen through Roe VS Wade, where the rights of abortion were stripped away because of Christian nationalism and conservative ideas. As well