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Theme Of Conformity In The Handmaid's Tale

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One of the factors used by the characters in the two novels for their survival is conformity. An example of conformity that plays an important role in the two novels is clothing. In The Handmaid’s Tale, the classifications of each individual are conformed by different clothing. The Handmaids wear red dresses, Marthas wear green, Wives wear blue, Ecowives wear stripes dresses of the three colours, and Commanders and the Angels wear black clothing. According to Offred from The Handmaid's Tale, “The wings too are prescribed issue; they are to keep us from seeing, but also from being seen” (Atwood 9). If defied, they will most likely be sent to the colonies, where their life span and survival chance is shortened. Similarly, the people in the Parable of the Sower also had their style of clothing to blend themselves in when going outside the walls. In the novel, Parable of the Sower, Lauren says: Fashion helps. Youʼre supposed to be dirty now. If youʼre clean, you make a target of yourself. People think youʼre showing off, trying to be …show more content…

The two main characters in both novels provide themselves with items that can become their preparatory measures. In the Parable of the Sower, Lauren has an inventory of items that she packed for her journey when she leaves the compound. According to the Lauren in the novel, “Iʼve finally assembled a small survival pack for myself—a grab-and-run pack” (Butler 80). She also reads a set of survival technique books that will become crucial for her survival in the future. Likewise, Offred from The Handmaid’s Tale has kept a vital item that could save her life in the near future. To be specific, it was the match match given to her by Serena Joy that she kept. When she was caught by Serena, she thought about many ways to get away. Then she came up with an idea and

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