Comparing The Crucible 'And The Handmaid's Tale'

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According to the Greek tragedian Aeschylus, "Wisdom comes alone through suffering," implying that genuine insight and comprehension are frequently forged in the furnace of misfortune. Characters ensnared by the harsh reality of their oppressive cultures in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" powerfully depict this idea. The complex traits of suffering and its potential to foster profound self-knowledge are explored in both Atwood's dystopian novel, which depicts a future theocracy where women are subjugated, and Miller's play, which is set against the backdrop of the Salem witch trials. In "The Crucible" and "The Handmaid's Tale," suffering does more than just test the characters' limits; it also becomes …show more content…

Meanwhile, in "The Handmaid's Tale," suffering takes on a different yet equally transformative role, as characters grapple with oppression in the dystopian society of Gilead. The concept of suffering-induced transformation is graphically examined via the lives of characters negotiating Gilead's harsh rule. This transformation is powerfully embodied by the protagonist, Offred. She underwent a tremendous amount of pain on her journey from a woman who had known freedom and love to a Handmaid who had lost all of her rights, identity, and autonomy. Offred's tenacity, inventiveness, and resistance are, however, fashioned by this pain. The harsh reality of Offred's world, where the ruling class's improved social conditions lead to increased misery for others, especially the Handmaids, is reflected in the Commander's statement that "Better never means better for everyone... It always means worse, for some." Offred's internal change is sparked by her pain as she struggles to survive and be defiant in a system that is meant to repress these traits. Offred's friend Moira likewise endures a profound metamorphosis as a result of her hardships. Moira, who was

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