Similarities Between 1984 And The Handmaid's Tale

A story of suppression of individuality: How rebellion can change lives in Orwell’s 1984 and Atwood’s The Handmaids Tale

Rebellion is a powerful force that is present in many societies, especially those where citizens are unhappy with how they are governed. This is particularly true in dystopian novels where societies have typically taken a turn for the worst. George Orwell’s novel 1984 follows Winston, an inner party member, as his increasing dislike of the party leads him to work against the party. This novel lays a blueprint for future dystopian novels as they follow with many ideas outlined in this text. One of these novels, Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid’s Tale, tells the story of how unhappy handmaid Offred tries to work against her

Oceania’s government focuses almost entirely on outlawing any kind of thought or behavior. Diaries are typically associated with excessive thought and emotion, the exact opposite of Oceanias standards. Winston seizes the opportunity to rebel through writing in this diary. While writing, he explains how “for a moment he was seized by a kind of hysteria. He began writing in a hurried untidy scrawl”. (Orwell 19) By explaining his urge as a “kind of hysteria” it expresses an urge within him that is suppressed by Oceania’s laws. Furthermore, explaining how his writing was a “hurried untidy sprawl,” the release he feels can be seen. Not caring how neat his words are, represents how he is getting his thoughts out in any way possible. This small rebellion helps Winston to express himself because he is breaking out of the strict standard that society has set for him. The diary is the one time in his day that he is able to have a thought and express it in any form. Not only has Oceania taken away the ability for the people to have thought, but also they have

Winston understands that in order to make a major change in his life he has to rebel in a large way and he is going to do that through the brotherhood. Winston explains how he views rebellion. He believed that if he didn’t want to make a change, then “accepting the Party as something unalterable, like the sky, not rebelling against its authority but simply evading it, as a rabbit dodges a dog.” (Orwell 131). This is his way of expressing his need to rebel drastically. He can no longer perform small acts in his daily life. This can be seen when he says “simply evading it, as a rabbit dodges a dog”. A rabbit running from a dog is not a permanent solution to staying alive. Rather it is only a way to stall before it will later have to run again, similar to what may happen if Winston chose to view the party as “unalterable. Oceania has what is believed to be an underground force working against the government known as “the brotherhood”. From the beginning of the novel, Winston clings to hope that this organization exists and would give him the chance to make a significant change in his life. He longs for a change in his life that he believes will come from the brotherhood. He fought to be accepted into the rebellion force because “What matters [to him] were individual relationships, and a completely helpless gesture, an embrace, a tear, a word…