Dystopias essentially deal with power. To what extent do you agree with Amin Malak's claim that the Handmaids tale and 1984 are solely stories of power?
Orwell's 1984 and Atwood's The Handmaids tale are both dystopian novels, written as a vision of what the author felt the future societies would be similar too. Amin Malak holds the view that 'Dystopias essentially deal with power'. This statement is true of both novels, as both books deal with full power and control by the state government, whereby the protagonists of the novels are deeply affected by the control and oppression they face. The books deal with different aspects of the word 'power' and how the characters are affected.
Both The handmaids tale and 1984 express that freedom is taken away from the protagonists by the state governments using their power. In Atwood's novel, Offred's freedom is taken away from her by the fact that she is not allowed to choose the way she wants to live; "ordinary said Aunt Lydia is what you are used to.
English: Grave of Eric Arthur Blair (George Orwell...
The square in Barcelona renamed in Orwell's honour
Orwell's former home at 77 Parliament Hill, Hampst...This may not seem ordinary to you now but after a time it will. It will become ordinary". This quote just comes just after Offred and Ofglen have seen bodies that have been killed, hanging from the wall on the way back from their walk. Not only is Offred not allowed to walk around Gilead by herself which takes away her freedom, she also has to witness such vulgar sites, and has no choice in the matter. This quote further reflects the power of the totalitarian state that is now in power and how they take away the members of their societies freedom using their power. Additionally, the quote suggests the psychological power that the state have over the Handmaids, further inhibiting their freedom, and how...