The Handmaid's Tale Comparative Essay

Introduction
Background
In her 1986 novel The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood presents a scathing critique of a dystopian society that focuses on the subjugation of women and denial of their basic human rights. The novel takes place in the Republic of Gilead, a theocratic regime that has replaced the United States of America, in which women are degraded to reproductive machines, without access to education, independence, or even the ability to read. Central themes in this novel include patriarchal oppression, religious fundamentalism, and totalitarianism. Atwood’s sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments, published in 2019, continues to explore and expand upon these themes, but the subject of her criticism shifts slightly. The novel

While both novels enlist the narration style of literature of witness, they do so differently: the former through a singular lens and the latter through three distinct perspectives. Additionally, the structures of the narratives vary significantly between the novels. The Handmaid’s Tale offers a more nuanced, complex structure, while The Testaments provides a more obvious epistolary structure, being comprised of diary entries and witness testimonies. Lastly, the overarching tones and themes resulting from the characterization of the narrators differ greatly. Atwood herself said that there are two audiences of readers of The Handmaid’s Tale: the “academic” reader and the free, “individual” reader (Atwood 2017). She says that her true reader is the latter, as they are the ones who will resonate with the message of the text. Atwood's goal with these novels is to communicate with young generations and convey a message of caution about the possibility of a dystopian society. To achieve this, Atwood employs hyperbole as a narrative tool, painting a somber and distressing world. Her intention is to vividly illustrate that the depicted dystopia could conceivably materialize if societal trends persist. This evokes a sense of urgency and serves as a stark warning against complacency. By depicting a society devoid of individual freedom, Atwood encourages readers to appreciate and cherish the liberties they possess. Her narrative serves as a call to action, urging readers to diligently safeguard these freedoms in the face of any potential threats. Perhaps with The Testaments, Atwood enlisted 3 narrators as opposed to one, in order to give three different perspectives that the readers could connect with, making the novel seem more relatable and therefore more accessible. In a 2019 interview conducted after the release of the