Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Handmaid's Tale, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984: Individualistic Freedom (Evaluation)

Another theme that the three novels have in common, is the lack of individualistic freedom.

Authenticity: Staying true to a vision for the sake of the vision, not for ulterior motives (propaganda, indoctrination, subversion, monetary gain)

The authors represent the theme in an authentic way, by showing the reader how the lack of individualistic freedom affects the characters. They do this by placing the characters in a society whose controlling government has a twisted vision of a perfect world. And in all three of these societies,the a lack of individuality is believed to make everyone more equal.

Furthermore, they also represent the theme in an authentic way, by using their protagonists as vessels, in order to portray the consequences that one suffers when individualistic freedom is not present. The way that they do this, is by showing that when one is unable to do the simple things that they desire, or to accomplish a goal, this results in unhappiness. And as a results of that unhappiness, the protagonists look for a way to invigorate their dull lifestyle. In the case of "1984", and "The Handmaid's Tale" this meant turning to love, while in "Fahrenheit 451", it meant turning to books.

Originality: Creating a story and characters from a unique perspective and not adhering to a preset formula or concept (cliched or one dimensional characters, predictable plot, overused style and stale imagery

The authors represent the theme from an interesting, and original perspective. In the case of "The Handmaid's Tale", Margret Atwood takes a more personal approach by writing in first person. This makes the reader step into the character's shoes and really see the world exactly as she sees it. Her use of a first person point of view is a great way to make the reader empathize with the protagonist and to feel her frustration in regards to the lack of individualistic freedom and the barbaric lifestyle that she must lead as a result of that.

At the beginning of "Fahrenheit 451", Ray Bradbury portrays Montag as somewhat of an ignorant character, whose life is an illusion of happiness. But as the novel progresses, Montag's character proves that people do have the ability to change. Through Montag's character, Bradbury shows that knowledge is enlightenment. He also shows that it is only by not living in the ignorant world, and by breaking away from the rest of the "lifeless" characters that he truly becomes happy.

Similarly, in "1984", Orwell, shows through Winston, that a human can only be happy when he breaks away from the monotonus life that the government wants him to lead. Orwell also provides an interesting perspective on the theme, by showing that when the most basic individualistic rights are taken away they are bound to be broken because it is in a human's nature to do certain things, such as: thinking, looking for love, and seeking privacy.

Consistency: The story, characters and message stay true to the context of the novel and to each other. This would include believability within the context of the story.

The theme is represented in a consistent manner, by showing how individualistic freedom is not something that is immediately snatched away. It is something that an individual ceases to possess when a gradual change occurs in their society. The authors do this in order to show to the reader how the loss of individualistic freedom doesn't occur all of a sudden, which is why the majority of the characters in the novel do not feel trapped, or limited. For those types of characters, their lifestyle feels "normal," since they have no recollection of the world ever being different.

Subliminal Messages: Closely related to authenticity, subliminal messages are hidden messages that contradict the apparent theme of the novel. For example the novel is about independence, yet the female protagonist is waiting for a man to make her life complete.

In each of the three novels there is one powerful figure that is a hypocrite, because of not adhering to the rules, that they are promoting in some way. This simply shows how those in power always have the capability of getting away with things that others cannot. And in the case of the three novels, the things that such people seem to be getting away with is freedom. The type of individualistic freedom that others are not subjected to.

Monday, December 22, 2008

The Handmaid's Tale, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984: Rebel Archetype (Evaluation)

One common theme that exists in all three novels is the rebel archetype. Winston, from "1984" is a rebel that has unorthodox impulses, and acts upon them. He commits "Thought Crime," by writing in his journal about certain things that he remembers the government changing, such as their ally. In addition to that, he also meets his girlfriend, Julia, in a time when relationships are illegal unless they are approved by the government. Similarly to Winston, Montag, from "Fahrenheit 451," also acts upon his impulses. When his fear of the consequences of reading books begins to melt away, he begins to read novels, as a way of searching for the cause of his life's emptiness. In addition to that, he also kills Captain Beatty when he fears for his life, and he plants a book in a fellow fireman's home and calls in an alarm. Offred, from "The Handmaid's Tale" also commits several acts which entail her the rebel title. Acts such as secretly meeting with the Commander and playing Scrabble together, as well as using banned items such as hand creme. But while Winston and Montag's acts of unorthodoxy are discovered by others, in "The Handmaid's Tale" ambiguous ending, it is left up to the reader to interpret whether or not Offred's acts have been discovered as well.

Authenticity
: Staying true to a vision for the sake of the vision, not for ulterior motives (propaganda, indoctrination, subversion, monetary gain)

The three authors emphasize the protagonists' rebellious nature. They do this by accentuating the fact that they are a minority that is struggling against a society that has taken away one's most basic human rights. This, makes the reader sympathize with the protagonists and wish for them to succeed in regaining these rights by rebelling. In the case of "1984," the reader is left feeling helpless from the moment when the "Thought Police" captures Winston. That is because starting from that point, his dream of leading a private life, and all his other dreams, are immediately snatched away.

Similarly, in "Fahrenheit 451," the reader feels the same intense fear that Montag feels when he is running away from the Mechanical Hound when trying to escape from the city. Once he is successful in leaving it behind, and he begins a new life, and the reader feels great relief for his achievement.

In "The Handmaid's Tale," Offred's ambiguous destination as a result of her subtle rebellion, leaves the reader feeling as if her world is spinning out of control. Atwood makes the reader feel this way by making the plot development feel rather "slow" throughout most parts of the novel, and then adding a lot of crucial plot development in the last few pages of the novel. This sudden "change of pace" is what causes the reader to feel the intensity of Offred's feelings, and to interpret whether or not she makes a mistake by telling Nick about her innermost feelings and thus, not conforming to the society.

Originality
: Creating a story and characters from a unique perspective and not adhering to a preset formula or concept (cliched or one dimensional characters, predictable plot, overused style and stale imagery).

In "1984", George Orwell places the protagonist in a society that is far from our own. In a society that is certain to shock the reader, and make their imagination flourish. He places Winston in the most horrific society that one can imagine. In a society where one must control everything; from the words that they choose to express, to their thoughts. This makes the reader understand how restricted Winston is in his daily life due to the things he can and cannot do, and it makes the reader fully comprehend the reason why Winston begins to rebel.

Bradbury, places Montag in a society that is not extremely different from the one today. It is a somewhat original society. Although the society that Montag resides in is very technologically advanced, there are still more elements that it has in common with the society that exists today.
The prominent symbolism of fire is a very original and subtle concept. Throught the novel, whenever Montag's attitude changes, so does the way that he views fire. For example, prior to rebelling, Montag views fire as a wonderful medium of destruction, because to him, burning books provides him with an illusion of happiness. But once Clarisse opens up his mind about books, and makes him see how they are truly alive,he begins to rebel. After he realizes what importance books have, he begins to see the destructive quality of fire, and he views it as a detrimental element.

Magaret Atwood, is also quite creative in regards to the imagery that she uses in "The Handmaid's Tale." The most prominent example of imagery that she uses to portray Offred's sorrounding world, is the color red. The red color can be seen in Offred's (and the other Handmaids') outfits, and in the red tulips from Serena Joy's garden. Primarily, the red color is associated with violence. In the Handmaid's Tale, the red color that sorrounds the Handmaid's can be seen as a reminder of the violence that women are subjected to before the Republic of Gilead. Alternatively, red can also symbolize the passion that is building up inside of Offred, and she is unable to express until later on. This passion is most often expressed as physical longing. Offred feels this longing as a result of not having physical contact with someone that makes her feel wanted, and the color itself, is simply a reminder of why she rebels by secretly meeting Nick.

Consistency: The story, characters and message stay true to the context of the novel and to each other. This would include believability within the context of the story.

All the authors capture the reader's attention in such a way that they are entirely engulfed in the struggles that the characters face. They do this by creating drastically different societies and by portraying them in detailed descriptions. Furthermore, they also take the reader's hand and guide them throughout the story, without leaving any gaps, or inconsistencies that the reader must fill out by themselves.

Although the pace of the three novels changes drastically towards the end, the authors do this in order to create an effect. They do it in order to create suspense about the protagonists' destinations. In addition to that,the last part of the novel, is the most intriguing part because it provides answers to the protagonist's destination. It communicates to the reader whether or not the protagonist is successful through their act of rebellion. The suspense itself, is just another great addition to make the reader continue on reading in order to find out what the protagonist's destination is.

Subliminal Messages: Closely related to authenticity, subliminal messages are hidden messages that contradict the apparent theme of the novel. For example the novel is about independence, yet the female protagonist is waiting for a man to make her life complete.

The subliminal messages include the fact that the protagonists are slightly hypocritical, by rebelling against something that they are partially responsible in causing. For example, in "1984", Winston works at the "Ministry of Truth," where he is responsible for rewriting the past. Although he is fully aware of the party's indiscretions, and he despises their rewriting of the past, he, himself is just as responsible as any other party member for re-writing the past.

Similarly, in "Fahrenheit 451", Montag is a firefighter and until the beginning of the novel Ray Bradbury implies that he has been burning books for all his life, and that he truly enjoys his profession. But later on in the novel,he changes his mind and he begins to despise burning books. The truth is, that when he rebels by stealing books and hiding them in his own home, he rebels by treasuring books. This is somewhat hypocritical, because books are something that he caused the destruction of before.

Margaret Atwood, accentuates how Offred dislikes being a Handmaid because of only being viewed as important for one reason:the ability to give birth. Throughout the novel, Atwood shows the reader how any other form of female individuality has been snatched away, such as a female's name. But, prior to being turned into a Handmaid, Offred is given the choice of either being a Handmaid or going to the Women's Labor Camp, and she chooses to be a Handmaid, which is something that is her own personal choice (despite the fact that she is not faced with a plethora of options).

By portraying the protagonists as characters that have to do something that they despise, the authors are accentuating the protagonists' need to rebel. If they would not abhor the things that they must do, then they would not have a reason to fight for their freedom.

Friday, December 19, 2008

The Handmaid's Tale, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984: Connections part 3

Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale. pages 200-277

One connection that exists between the three novels is the abolishment of individualistic freedom. That is because in these societies, individual freedom is non-existent, and the citizens are usually brought up to believe that individualistic freedom is unimportant, and that it is the freedom of being protected from other things that truly matters.

For example, during one passage in "The Handmaid's Tale," Aunt Lydia tells Offred that now that the Republic of Gilead exists, the Handmaid's are being given "freedom from" other things.This means that they are being "protected" from certain dangers. She accentuates this freedom in such a way, that it makes the other freedom unimportant, and it makes it seem like there are too many risks associated with the "freedom to" choose. Individualistic freedom is non-existent in the Republic of Gilead, and it includes the inability to: keep one's name, the dress differently, choose one's job, and to speak against the Republic's beliefs.

Similarly to the way that the "freedom to" capture one's needs is being abolished in "The Handmaid's Tale", it's also being abolished in "1984." That is because, one of the Party's main slogans is "Freedom is Slavery." This means, that in order for one to be free they must submit themselves to a larger group, and thus, become "slaves." This slogan, is being used as means of making the masses believe that individualistic freedom is unimportant, and that it is only by working together, that a nation will succed, and its people will be truly "free."

In "Fahrneheit 451", there is only one large aspect that takes the individualistic freedom away- the banning of books. Without the freedom to read books, and with only being capable of watching tv, personal growth is put and end to, and soon everyone begins to think in a similar way. Everyone except those who have been exposed to books at one point or another.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Handmaid's Tale, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984: Connections part 2

Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale. pages 200-277

In "1984", "Fahrenheit 451" and "The Handmaid's Tale" all 3 protagonists represent the rebel archetype. The desire to rebel simply arises from the fact that their opinions do no coincide with those of the society's. In all three cases, the reason why the protagonists rebel is because they feel attached to the world that exists before the oppressive society that they are trapped in. But the reason why they feel attached to it varies for every protagonist.

In Winston's case, he feels attached to the world before, because of several blurry memories that he has of the world that exists before the Revolution. These memories consist of his mother, his sister, and a lingering feeling that things were not as grimy and people were not as reduced as they are under the ruling of Big Brother. It is because of this reason that he rebels against the party by committing "Thought Crime" and being with his girlfriend, Julia, despite the fact that any relationships are strictly forbidden by the party.

Similarly, Offred also rebels because she feels attached to the past just like Winston does. She is haunted by the memories of the world before,and of the things that she possessed and the freedom that she had then, which she no longer has. It is because of gaining a momentary state of freedom, that she eagerly accepts when the Commander demands to secretly meet her every evening, and to commit illegal acts such as playing Scrabble, reading magazines, and using hand creme.

Montag, though, is slightly different from these two characters. Despite the fact that he has not resided in the society that exists before books are burned, he begins to question his values when a girl named Clarisse tells him about a time when things were different, a time when firemen put out fires rather than initiated them. This opens his mind, and it connects him to the past world where books existed. It also makes him question what information books contain that make them such a "threat" and cause them to be burned immediately after being discovered by the firemen. This is one of the reasons why Montag rebels by reading books. Through such an act, he discovers that books contain valuable life lessons, that are compacted together into one manual.

The Handmaid's Tale: Unique (Application)

Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale. pages 100-200

"Women can't add," he said jokingly.
When I asked him what he meant, he said,"For them, one and one and one and one don't make four." "What do they make?" I said, expecting five or three. "Just one and one and one and one," he said. (Atwood 171)

The Commander is the character that states the quote above, while talking to with Offred. The quote is significant because it shows what the characters' beliefs are, regarding relationships. It shows that the Commander believes women, unlike men, find each man unique in such a way, that they cannot substitute them for another.

This quote was chosen because this same concept of uniqueness can be applied to "The Beacons" poem by Charles Baudelaire. In the poem, every artist is described in a very divergent way, and they are each depicted as separate units. The way this is done is through the use of various imagery and metaphors. For example, one artist's style of painting, Rembrandt's, is described in a very somber way. He is depicted in such a way, through phrases such as a "sad hospital full of murmurs." This imagery is drastically different from the imagery that is used to describe the other artists, which is why it makes the reader perceive Rembrandt's style as highly unique.

Not only are the artists described in a drastically different way literally, but they are also portrayed as different units visually. That is because in the poem, every paragraph pertains to a specific artist, and the description of their style. And two artists are never described within the same paragraph, because the author, Baudelaire, wants to create a sense of detachment, visually, through the separation of one artist per paragraph.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The Handmaid's tale: Ancient Greece

Margaret, Atwood. The Handmaid's Tale. pages 100-200

"They've frozen them, she said. Mine too...Any account with an F on it instead of an M. All they needed to do is push a few buttons. We're cut off." (Atwood 167)

Moira (Offred's friend) says this after the revolution in "The Handmaid's Tale" begins, when the President and the Congress are shot.

This quote was chosen because it shows the first symptoms of what the male dominating society in "The Handmaid's Tale" is doing to the females. Furthermore, the events that occur in this quote can also be related to certain events that have occurred in other cultures.

"The Handmaid's Tale" highlights how powerful men can be, and how they can have the ability to strip women of their rights, and to force them to do things that they would find unimaginable to do otherwise. Furthermore, it also shows how helpless women are when faced with a society that is entirely controlled by men.Some of the rights that the Handmaid's in the novel have taken away are: the right to read, the right to leave the household(unless shopping for groceries with another Handmaid), and the right to speak against the situation that they're trapped in.

Throughout the course of history, there have existed women from different cultures that have lacked possession of the same rights. One such group of women were the ones that resided in Ancient Greece. A commonality that lies between the two groups is illiteracy. Just like the women in "The Handmaid's Tale" are forbidden to read so that throughout the course of time they will turn illiterate, the women in Ancient Greece were not forbidden to read. Instead, they were unable to read because of not being taught how to. Furthermore, they were also unable to speak out about subjects of great importance like Philosophy, because their opinions were considered invalid. This is similar to the way that women in" The Handmaid's Tale" are not allowed to express any unorthodox beliefs. In addition to that, in Ancient Greece, women were also in charge of domestic chores such as cooking, which meant that they were rarely able to leave the home. In "The Handmaid's Tale" the Handmaid's are also unable to leave the household unless they are send out to shop for certain food items.

Monday, December 15, 2008

The Handmaid's tale, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984: Connections part 1

Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale. pages 100-200

One commonality that exists between the three novels, is a law that gets broken by each protagonist.

In "1984," the law that Winston breaks is referred to as "Thought Crime." The way that "Thought Crime," is committed, is when a citizen of Oceania
expresses any opinion that does not coincide with the one that the government has. Such an opinion is usually a political one, such as saying that the country is changing the past, or lying to its citizens. The reason why "Thought Crime" exists, is so that people will be afraid to question the government, and will accept everything that they say.One way that the protagonist, Winston, commits "Thought Crime" is by writing in his journal. In his journal, he writes about how he remembers Oceania being allied with Eastasia before allying with Eurasia. Although, the change in ally was never announced to the public. The mere fact that Winston remembers it, and states in his journal that it occurred, is enough to entail his death, because of committing "Thought Crime." Winston commits "Thought Crime" because the journal in which he writes, is his therapeutic way of preventing his sanity from eroding away.

Montag, from "Fahrenheit 451," committs the illegal act of reading a book. This is considered illegal because reading is banned. It's banned because a book is considered an object that possess a threat to the society's idealistic concept of making everyone equal. That's because if one reads more than other people, then they will become more intelligent, and they will know far more than the everyone else. But in this society, intellectual people are looked upon as people that make everyone else feel inferior, therefore, the only way to stop such feelings of inferiority from occuring is by taking their only source of information away--books. The reason why Montag committs the illegal act of reading is because of his search for his inner saddness, and emptiness. He only becomes aware of these emotions when an intellectual girl, Clarisse, asks him if he's happy.

In "The Handmaid's Tale", one act that Offred commits which is not permitted, is reading. This act takes place in the Commander's office, as he offers her several magazines to read (one magazine per every session). The reason why, women are not given access to reading, is so that female literacy will cease to exist. That's because in the theorocratic government of Gilead, knowledge is a temptation, and temptation could lead to sinning. Therefore, by taking away the source of knowledge, (books and magazines) the chance that women will sin is also greately reduced. In addition to that, causing female illiteracy to spread throughout the female population like a disease, will also ensure that the females will remain under control. After all, knowledge is power; and when no knowledge exists, neither does power.

The acts of breaking the law that are most connected, are the ones in "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Fahrenheit 451." Both of these acts involve reading as the breaking of the law, because by not reading, people are kept under complete control. In "1984," the law that is broken by Winston, "Thought Crime," is far more strict and harder not to break. That is because
not committing "Thought Crime" requires one to fight against their own instincts, and to keep them in their subconscious in order to make sure that they are not expressed. What the party gains from this is complete power. In fact, by imposing the rules onto the characters, the government from all three novels gain power. This power enables them to shape the society however they wish.