The Quintessence of Humanity in The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

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The Quintessence of Humanity

Often in life, people take their freedoms, a gift that allows them to express their individuality, for granted. However, in the dystopian societies of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, people are reminded of just how easily their freedoms and humanity can be stripped away. Attwood and Ishiguro urge people to never lose sight of the core values that define who they are. The compelling novels chronicle the life journey of two protagonists as they fight to define their own existence and worth in life. Offred, the central character in The Handmaid’s Tale is exploited as a baby making machine, while Kathy, the leading role in Never Let Me Go, is degraded as a lifeless android in a sea of clones. From Atwood and Ishiguro’s provocative coming-of-age novels emerge two beautiful and inspiring heroines. Whether it is through their remembrance of the past, their loss of innocence, their capability to hope, or their ability to establish relationships, Offred and Kathy prove that they are every bit as human as the rest of society. Ultimately, despite the many differences in their distinct masterpieces, Atwood and Ishiguro share the same intent in their haunting portrayal of the protagonists’ dehumanizabtion—to shed light on the true essence of what it is to be human.

Humanity is defined in a person’s ability to grow and develop. The stages of growth are displayed throughout the intricate past of human beings composed of memories, experiences, and the loss of innocence. The past reminds people of their true self, encourages them to discover their identities, and provides them with hope and strength. Before the Gildean Era, Offred enjoyed the freedom to determine...

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...ale and Never Let Me Go are as different as they are the same; nonetheless, the passionate Atwood along with the melancholy Ishiguro exquisitely capture the essence of being human into the heart of the two novels. The heroines show through their past memories, their never yielding hope for the future, and their need for love, acceptance, and friendship that they are humans. The discovery and eventual acceptance of humanity marks the beginning of what a hero must embody, as they overcome whatever life throws in their way, in the end, however, only true heroes are able to embrace their fate.

Works Cited

Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. Cape: McClelland & Stewart, 1985. Print.

Donne, John. "Meditation XVII." Devotions upon Emergent Occasions. 1624. Print.

Ishiguro, Kazuo. Never Let Me Go. Toronto: Vintage Canada, 2006. Print.

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