Essay question Compare the ways in which the writers of your two chosen texts criticise human behaviour. You must relate your discussion to relevant
contextual factors.
Texts: Frankenstein (1818, revised 1831) The Handmaid’s Tale (1985)
Relevant ideas / Commander and Frankenstein are both selfish, they cause immense human suffering at the pursuit of knowledge/power.
events to explore in Moira and Offred are anti-heroes in a way, they are complacent, silenced by high authority figures and the threat of violence.
the set texts The creature desires a sense of connection so strongly that he resorts to violence to achieve his aims.
Society causes humans to respond to their environment.
Men and women
The patriarchy
All characters are flawed, and in turn humans and society
Overarching thesis Both Atwood and Shelley criticise human selfishness, suggesting that it creates inequality and is ultimately what leads to human suffering. However,
the environment in which the characters inhabit also acts as a catalyst, influencing their behaviour and actions.
First comparative Comparative topic sentence:
paragraph Both Shelley and Atwood criticise the pursuit of power for selfish gain, suggesting that it transgresses boundaries of human life and liberty.
Frankenstein evidence / AO3 links The Handmaid’s Tale evidence / AO3 links
AO2 AO2
“I will pioneer a new way” - The modal verb ‘will’ suggests that Victor is Dystopian/Speculative fiction genre - Suggests that the events of the
intent on this, regardless of the cost. The tone is rather self-assuring and novel could possibly happen to us. It is like a warning.
confident, Victor gains fame and glory if he succeeds. “Better for some never means better for everyone. It always means worse
“Penetrate nature” - Nature is personified as female, ‘she works in her for some” - The needs of men are prioritised over the needs of women.
hiding places’. This rape metaphor suggests that the pursuit of The Commander’s clipped tone suggests he does not regret his actions.
knowledge and power comes at the expense of the natural order and the “That is what you have to do before you kill, I thought. You have to create
woman’s role of birth-giving. Furthermore, ‘hiding places’ is a metaphor an it” - The pronoun ‘it’ objectifies humans, making it easier for those in
for the fear that nature feels from men like Victor’s acquisition of her power to rationalise their transgressions against humanity.
‘secrets’. “My forehead is against his shoes” - Symbolic of their power dynamic.
“Learn from me… how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge” - Offred lacks power and is subject to the commander’s whims.
Shelley uses Victor’s voice to ultimately address the reader. Through “Sort of scientist” - the Commander’s tone appears almost proud of
Victor, she warns against the pursuit of knowledge and the consequences himself and his role in the creation of Gilead. ‘S’ sibilance is snakelike,
it has, making her novel didactic. Regretful tone, Victor realises the error he’s like a predator.
of their ways. “So female in shape it was a surprise they’d not long since been rooted
out”, motif of flowers, symbolic of fertility. Repeated floral imagery of
contextual factors.
Texts: Frankenstein (1818, revised 1831) The Handmaid’s Tale (1985)
Relevant ideas / Commander and Frankenstein are both selfish, they cause immense human suffering at the pursuit of knowledge/power.
events to explore in Moira and Offred are anti-heroes in a way, they are complacent, silenced by high authority figures and the threat of violence.
the set texts The creature desires a sense of connection so strongly that he resorts to violence to achieve his aims.
Society causes humans to respond to their environment.
Men and women
The patriarchy
All characters are flawed, and in turn humans and society
Overarching thesis Both Atwood and Shelley criticise human selfishness, suggesting that it creates inequality and is ultimately what leads to human suffering. However,
the environment in which the characters inhabit also acts as a catalyst, influencing their behaviour and actions.
First comparative Comparative topic sentence:
paragraph Both Shelley and Atwood criticise the pursuit of power for selfish gain, suggesting that it transgresses boundaries of human life and liberty.
Frankenstein evidence / AO3 links The Handmaid’s Tale evidence / AO3 links
AO2 AO2
“I will pioneer a new way” - The modal verb ‘will’ suggests that Victor is Dystopian/Speculative fiction genre - Suggests that the events of the
intent on this, regardless of the cost. The tone is rather self-assuring and novel could possibly happen to us. It is like a warning.
confident, Victor gains fame and glory if he succeeds. “Better for some never means better for everyone. It always means worse
“Penetrate nature” - Nature is personified as female, ‘she works in her for some” - The needs of men are prioritised over the needs of women.
hiding places’. This rape metaphor suggests that the pursuit of The Commander’s clipped tone suggests he does not regret his actions.
knowledge and power comes at the expense of the natural order and the “That is what you have to do before you kill, I thought. You have to create
woman’s role of birth-giving. Furthermore, ‘hiding places’ is a metaphor an it” - The pronoun ‘it’ objectifies humans, making it easier for those in
for the fear that nature feels from men like Victor’s acquisition of her power to rationalise their transgressions against humanity.
‘secrets’. “My forehead is against his shoes” - Symbolic of their power dynamic.
“Learn from me… how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge” - Offred lacks power and is subject to the commander’s whims.
Shelley uses Victor’s voice to ultimately address the reader. Through “Sort of scientist” - the Commander’s tone appears almost proud of
Victor, she warns against the pursuit of knowledge and the consequences himself and his role in the creation of Gilead. ‘S’ sibilance is snakelike,
it has, making her novel didactic. Regretful tone, Victor realises the error he’s like a predator.
of their ways. “So female in shape it was a surprise they’d not long since been rooted
out”, motif of flowers, symbolic of fertility. Repeated floral imagery of
