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Alienation And Isolation In The Handmaid's Tale

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Research Question/Topic: What is the effect of alienation and isolation in the works of George Orwell 's 1984 and Margaret Atwood 's the Handmaid 's Tale?

Introduction:
Isolation refers “a person or place to be or remain alone or apart from others”, and through the literary classics The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and 1984 by George Orwell, the theme of isolation plays a key factor in molding the plot into the controversial novels that they are today.

Paragraph 1
(1984)
Explain the role of isolation and alienation in the novel from the direct setting
Quote: “Behind Winston’s back the voice from the telescreen was still babbling away about pig iron and the over fulfillment of the Ninth Three-Year Plan. The telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston …show more content…

2015

Paragraph 3:
(1984)
Explain the role of isolation as a role in psychological manipulation
The way that the setting has impacted the way the characters act
For example, Winston didn’t know whether anyone else had the same writing task as he did, or had the same thoughts as he did, and due to the strong surveillance of Big Brother, he had no way of freely communicating his ideas and thoughts thus creating a stronger sense of alienation and manipulation
Room 101/Torture
Winston didn’t know if he was above ground or below, wasn’t aware of the time of day or how long he had been in there
Isolation from the rest of society
Citation:
Orwell, George. 1984. Ed. Erich Fromm. New York: Harcourt, 1949

Paragraph 4:
(The Handmaid’s Tale)
Explain the role of isolation as a role in psychological manipulation
“Mayday”
a “top secret” organisation with the mission of overthrowing Gilead.
Offred was unaware of who was a part of “Mayday”
No communication examples from when they were initiated, having the white wings to minimize eye contact and sight
Constant isolation from others thoughts, position on the government and unaware of who to trust.
Citation:

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