“The Handmaid's Tale” by Margaret Atwood and “The Colour Purple” by Alice Walker have

subverted expectations and challenged societal norms like no other text. These novels align
with each other in their depiction of female voices, gender roles and the extreme power
dynamics present in modern day and dystopian societies. But how does storytelling play a role
in this exploration? Storytelling in these novels is used as a tool for providing solace to those
affected by the harsh realities portrayed in fiction and using these made up stories to form a
connection for readers and audiences to share. Both novels highlight the resilience of women in
different contexts and criticise systems that turn a blind eye to the state sanctioned oppression
and degradation of women in Gilead in The Handmaid's Tale which mirrors the harmful gender
roles and loss of identity that takes place in traditional abusive American households as
portrayed in The Colour Purple. This idea is further represented in the statement “Good fiction’s
job is to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” by David Foster Wallace,
emphasising how the novels strive to alter the perspectives and opinions of their readers
through the rather unsettling and confronting nature of these texts. This statement encourages
readers to question their traditional beliefs of the role of women in society, serving as a warning
for what our future holds if humans continue to indulge in harmful ideas, values, and attitudes
regarding the treatment of women and other marginalised communities.

Written in 1985, Atwood published a tale set in a fictional future society named Gilead in which
rights and autonomy are stripped, and fertile women are forced to endure standardised legal
rape for families that cannot conceive in order to restore the declining birth rates. But what
influenced Atwood to write a novel with such confronting themes and experiences? Let's take a
look at the context behind this novel. The 1970’s were a time of change and revolution for
women in America, following the frustration behind a patriarchal society, voiced by advocates
such as Gloria Steinem, Susan Brownmiller and Kate Millett. Widespread access to
contraception, the legalisation of abortion and increasing numbers of political influence by
female voters had all been introduced, but not necessarily welcome. By the 80’s women were
terrified that these new rights and freedoms they have acquired would all be undone. This fear
was turned into a reality in the Republic of Gilead where Atwoods story is set.

The Colour Purple was published in 1982, three years before The Handmaid's Tale surfaced.
This tale explores a young, African American girl raised in a rural town in Georgia, facing
domestic physical and sexual abuse, the effects of extreme power dynamics, loss of identity and
discrimination on the basis of race and sex. This story confronts readers about the realities of
women of colour in traditional American households, urging them to consider and sympathise
with the gruesome experiences being portrayed throughout the novel, similar to the plight of The
Handmaid's Tale. The story follows an epistolary format, in which we see the protagonist, Celie
writing letters to God seeking faith and hope in her dire situation.

The Handmaid's Tale explores female resistance by depicting the protagonist, Offred, as in
control of her own story. As we read Offred's internal thoughts and commentary, we are in a
position with a more intimate view of her experiences, giving Offred the power (or to emulate
giving Offred the power) to choose the path of her own life. Whilst in her reality this may not be
the case, this allows Offred to resist the new identity she has been given by the regime and use
her voice to speak her forbidden truths and experiences. Her personal point of view and
narrative style allows readers to empathise deeply with her experiences and understand the
internal impact of Gilead's oppressive regime. As Offred reflects on her loss of power and
identity in the confines of the restrictive state of her own bedroom, She highlights the use of
storytelling as a coping mechanism and a way to obtain strength and resistance in the words
she writes.
“I would like to believe this is a story I’m telling. I need to believe it. I must believe it. Those who
can believe that such stories are only stories have a better chance”.

Similarly, The Colour Purple explores this theme of female resistance through the friendships
between characters such as Celie and Shug. These characters form bonds that allow
themselves to feel comfortable in sharing stories and experiences and finding the courage to
resist abuse, control, oppression and patriarchy. As Celie witnesses Shug's shameless sass and
her sharp tongue, overtime she learns to defy her husband, Mister_____'s commands and
become her own identity. Celie has discovered her inner strength to communicate her emotions
and her choice to leave and uses this moment as an opportunity to finally speak up against her
husband. This is a significant turning point in the story as for the first time, she has raised her
voice in opposition to her oppressor and resisted his dominance and authority. This idea is
accurately depicted with her aggressive and emotional tone, emphasising her state of frustration
in the confinement she has endured her whole life, providing a parallel to the resistance
depicted in The Handmaid's tale.

“You a lowdown dog is what’s wrong, I say. It’s time to leave you and enter into the Creation.
And your dead body just the welcome mat I need. Say what? He ast. Shock.”

The Handmaid's Tale and The Colour Purple both criticise systems that enable the presence of
extreme power dynamics and harmful views on gender roles whether it be in a modern or
dystopian context. The Handmaid's Tale does this through the depiction of women as objects
rather than as citizens of this oppressive society. Women are belittled and dehumanised to the
extent that their names are not representative of their own identities, but rather as the identities
of their Commander. This lack of identity and shift in power dynamics is most effectively
conveyed through Offred's internal monologue in this quote. Offred recounts life directly after the
American government was overthrown and recalls the impact this had on her relationship with
Luke. She represents herself as the property of a man, even before she met the Commander.
She acknowledges the fact that they are no longer equal in value nor power and views his
acceptance of this new reality as a form of betrayal against herself and their once thriving
relationship.
“He doesn’t mind this, I thought. He doesn’t mind it at all. Maybe he even likes it. We are not
each other's anymore. Instead, I am his.”

Similarly, The Colour Purple demonstrates harmful gender roles through the portrayal of Celie's
fear of men. Celie's fear of men roots from the constant abuse she has endured throughout her
life as a cycle passing from her father’s extreme physical and sexual abuse to the same being
inflicted by her husband. When witnessing the kids being abused by Mister____, she struggles
to find the courage to protect them or herself and instead, remains silent and unseen. This
metaphor of her silencing and repressed voice symbolises the intense power dynamics that play
a significant part in their relationship. Her remarks here demonstrate how, in the face of injustice
and brutality, she buried her voice and withdrew into her own thoughts. Through this interaction,
readers can acknowledge the male voice and its dominance over the words of a woman in an
abusive household.
“I make myself wood. I say to myself, Celie you are a tree. That’s how come I know trees fear
man.”

To conclude, these two revolutionary novels undeniably align in their depiction of female voice,
gender roles and power dynamics, and resistance amongst women. They provide a deep insight
into how these concepts play a significant role in their contexts of modern day and dystopian
totalitarian society. The novels emphasise the importance in storytelling to form connections
amongst readers and characters as well as its purpose to inform and confront comfortable
readers about the harsh realities of oppressive regimes and abusive households. Because of
this, these novels have stood the test of time and will continue to do so for generations to come.