"The Passion" by Jeanette Winterson and "The handmaids Tale" by Margaret Atwood

Jeanette Winterson’s The Passion and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale can both be considered to be feminist works. They both look at the different aspects of feminism which can be seen in the very different environments in which the stories in these novels are set and these actually give a hint of the authors’ thoughts on the feminism. The Passion is a novel set in the Napoleonic age and it is a story based on two characters, Henri, who is a cook, and Villanelle, a web footed cross dresser who works in a casino. The Handmaid’s Tale on the other hand is a story set in a futuristic New England after the destruction of the United States and it is based on the experiences of Offred, a handmaid. Both of these stories are told according to the view of the main characters and they often display a great sense of the feminist ideology, whether it is done consciously or unconsciously by the authors. One would be tempted to say that these novels are attempts by the authors to advance the feminist agenda by showing us the progress that has been made by women so far and how this progress might be quickly eroded. They attempt to show the weaknesses that plague the feminist movement and the fact that despite all its recent gains, this movement is still very new and if anything catastrophic were to happen; then all these gains would be lost in an instant mainly because of the nature of these gains.

In the state of Gilead where The Handmaid’s Tale is set, women are kept apart from the men and it is expected that they support each other in all the aspects of life. If these women are in the same household, they are expected to work together to fulfill the various duties which have been set for their gender. In this novel, women are presented to be strong and to be able to deal with many of the issues which face them on their own without the help of men. It is said that the women are better suited to handle the problems which face them and it is this more than anything that ensures that they are isolated. The theocratic state of Gilead justifies the isolation of the women in their society by using teachings from the bible. The Passion, on the other hand, is a novel which is based on two characters, one male and one female. Of these, the female character, Villanelle, is portrayed to be the stronger of the two and through her cross dressing displaying those characteristics which one would consider being very masculine. The male character, Henri, is the complete opposite of Villanelle due to the fact that he feels inadequate in his position in society and tends to compensate for this through his dedication to writing enhanced stories about himself in a diary. Furthermore, although he is a soldier in Napoleon’s army, Henri is depicted as a person who is afraid to kill, something which one would not expect from most men. One would say that the women being isolated in Gilead is as a direct result of the feminist movement belief that women can do better on their own without the presence of men. It is Atwood’s means of symbolizing the weaknesses of the feminist movement because no matter what they do, men are still as necessary in their lives as women are in men’s lives and none can do without the other.

On the other hand, the strong independent nature of Villanelle shows a great support for the feminist movement from Winterson. This is also accompanied by a desire to achieve what Villanelle wants through her dressing as a boy which could be interpreted as a symbol of women trying to step into the roles traditionally reserved for men. While Villanelle is depicted as being of a strong personality and fearless, Henri is shown to be weak and incompetent and this might be considered to be Winterson’s attempt to show that women are as good as men and that gender roles are not just limited to one gender and that they may in fact be considered to be universal. Villanelle’s character is in direct contrast to that displayed by Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale because Offred is depicted to be a weak character who willingly submits to the circumstances which have been brought her way. Not only does she submit to these circumstances, however demeaning they are, she also looks down upon the feminist ways of her mother as a way of dealing with them. Despite the dislike for Moira’s feminism, her daughter also displays a tinge of admiration for her mother because Offred cannot help but admire the way her mother always stood up for what she thought were the rights of women. The strength which women are able to display is shown in both novels because while both main female characters may seem to be weak on the outside, they are shown to have a very strong will.

In The Passion, the strength of character of Villanelle is shown when her willingness to tell a story is accepted by the men to whom she tells it to and this is despite the fact that during her times, women were rarely ever assertive or would they openly speak in public. Furthermore, Villanelle is depicted as a woman who knows exactly what she wants and this is seen when she has the strength to leave her abusive husband and go elsewhere, which is something which also rarely happened in the period where the story is set. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred is also seen to have a strong will because although she is used sexually by the commander and that she is treated as nothing more than a vessel through which children can be made, she still refuses to let these circumstances bring her down and in fact, she gains her strength from it. She views the sexual intercourse she has with the commander as being nothing more than a business which does not involve any emotional attachment on her part. The strength of character shown by these women can be considered to be a true depiction of a woman according to the feminist movement.

In conclusion, it can be said that it is indeed true that the main female characters in the novels above are both unconsciously being feminists in their actions. This is due to the fact that although they live in times where the female voice is rarely hard, the still find ways to fight back against the male dominated society. Despite their appearance as weak creatures at first, as the novels progress, one discovers that there is more to them because their strength is not shown physically but mentally, and this is where they are actually far much better than their male counterparts.

Abandoned by Guy de Maupassant

‘Abandoned’ is the story of a woman who has an illegitimate child from an affair she has in her youth. However, in order to avoid the public embarrassment which this child would have caused, she and her lover choose to give it away to a peasant couple to raise as their own child. Despite the fact that she gave her child up after birth, the woman does not forget him and continues to wish that she can see him again. The story begins forty years after the woman gives up her child when she brings her husband to the town close to where her son lives. With them is s close friend of the woman who also happens to have been her lover, and father of her child. The husband is oblivious of the reason for his wife bringing him to this town and he complains bitterly about it. When she asks him to take her for a walk, he refuses to do so and instead encourages her to ask her friend to take her. The woman and her former lover leave for the farm in which their son resides. Both of them seem to be anxious to see him again, but while the woman is emotional about the encounter, her friend hides his true feelings, stating that the woman is going to betray them to their son. The main fear of the friend is that their son might find out about them being his parents, and because of their social status, might decide to blackmail them.

The two former lovers continue to walk along the path and after asking for directions arrive at their son’s farm, which at first sight it seems to be a prosperous one. However, on their arrival, there is no one at home except for a young girl who tells them that she does not know where her father is while her mother has gone after the cows. When the girl’s mother returns, it is noted that she looks older than her true age and that she limps on her right leg. At first, she ignores the two visitors completely after looking at them with anger and suspicion. The woman’s friend calls her back and to get her attention, asks her to sell them some milk. The opportunity to make money makes the woman suddenly become extremely courteous and she immediately gets them the milk they want. The former lovers take this opportunity to make enquiries concerning their son, who as they speak of him, comes home. At first sight of him, the couple is extremely shocked at what they see. Their son, despite being only forty years old, is bent over like an old man and has lost the vigor which a man of his age should have. The woman is so shocked and distraught that she asks her former lover that they leave their son’s farm. She blames her former lover of having destroyed their son’s life, while he defends himself by stating that he did what he had to do. When they get back to the place where they are staying, they choose to behave as if nothing had happened that afternoon.

The Performance of Macbeth

The performance of Macbeth by various theatrical groups has, from its beginnings to the present, been based on an attempt to replicate the original situation as was written by Shakespeare. The fact that this attempt has continued to be of immense influence in the performance of this play shows just how the individuals who are involved in it are conscious of the importance of depicting the play in an accurate way. Macbeth is one of the greatest plays and works that were created by Shakespeare for performance on stage and because of this; it has remained exceedingly popular to the present day. When this play is performed in theatres, one will find that most of the scenes remain loyal to the original play since changing any aspect of the script within Macbeth would be detrimental to it on stage. One of the most notable aspects of the play is the fact that some the characters, especially Macbeth, are portrayed in a very negative light, and he ends up doing things that are morally wrong. In the performance of the play, this happens despite these characters having the knowledge that what they are doing is wrong, they tend to do it because of the belief that they are within their rights. For the duration of most of the play, it can be seen that the various actors attempt to remain loyal to the original script often depicting the characters in the play in the most realistic manner as possible. In order to create a situation where there is a contrast of characters that leads the play to its culmination, the performance of the various actors is often crucial in the depiction of the laying bare of the original plot of the play for the audience and this keeps the latter interested in the play.

Just like in the original performance of Macbeth, the actors on the current stage performances often use the characters’ personalities, as depicted in the original script of the play, as well as other events to convince the audience that what they are viewing is the real plot of the film. By doing this, these actors ensure that they maintain the element of revelation that often serves to captivate their audiences at the high point of the play. These stage actors attempt to depict the characters in a way that is almost as exactly as Shakespeare did in his play and by being loyal to the script; the play follows the same course of events as when it is performed on the Shakespearean stage. The performance of Macbeth on stage is highly significant because it is a revelation of the true nature of human beings in the medieval Scotland as told in the sources that Shakespeare used in writing the play. One of the most noteworthy themes in the play, in any of its performances, is that of ambition and this is seen when Macbeth takes steps to take the throne of Scotland despite the fact that he is not in direct line to the said throne. The dark tone which is dominant in the play is also highly significant because it is a revelation of the dark nature of Macbeth and his wife because it shows that they are blinded by their own needs and they cease to care about the needs of those with whom they share their lives.

In the performance of the play, it can be said that the actors put a lot of thought in their characters especially when it comes to the physical appearance of the said characters. In performances, it is seen that the actors seem to be selected from those people who are similar in appearance to the characters that are depicted in the play. This gives the audience the opportunity to appreciate the various characters within the play and to identify with them in a more intimate way than if their appearance were changed. In addition, there is the potential that many of the audience prefer the characters on the stage to remain loyal to the original. It can therefore be said that the performances of the play are highly successful because they ensure that there is a sense of continuity from the original play by Shakespeare. It can be concluded that when the performance of Macbeth is done on stage in the current period, most of the actors tend to remain absolutely loyal not only to the appearance of their characters but also to the original script and this goes a long way in making the play authentic.

The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Code of Hammurabi

The Epic of Gilgamesh and Hammurabi’s Code are some of the most ancient texts from ancient Mesopotamia that have been found by Historians and archaeologists to date. Both of these texts are rich in information concerning Mesopotamia at this time; it politics, religion, social relationships and their cities. They show how religion was a very important part of the everyday lives of the ancient Mesopotamians and this is exemplified when Hammurabi declares that the set of laws which he has codified have been given to him directly by the god Shamash (to justify his codification of the law), and Gilgamesh’s going to the temple of Shamash to consult with the god before undertaking a major mission. In both of these texts, it can be noted that the sun – god Shamash, who was also the Mesopotamian god of justice, plays a major role in some of the major events which take place considering that he granted Hammurabi the laws and always gave guidance to Gilgamesh so that he would succeed in his missions.

The values of the ancient Sumerians seem to have been guided by their religion and many believed that they needed the authority of a god while doing anything important to ensure that their actions were a success. One would notice in these texts that the relationships between the people of this society in the ancient times were very close and that friendships had a higher value then than they have today. Friends tended to treat each other more like siblings than as people from different backgrounds and a good example of this is the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Although Gilgamesh was the king of Uruk and Enkidu was wild man from the fields, these two strike a friendship which would be very unlikely in the current times. It can further be noted that the rulers of ancient Mesopotamia tended to place a very high value to their connection with the gods most likely in an attempt to justify their authority over their people. We note that Hammurabi claims to have been in direct communication with a god when he was give the laws which would be imposed on his people. Gilgamesh on the other hand is said to have been two thirds god and one third man and that his mother was the goddess Ninsun who is time and again seen to intercede on his behalf to the other gods. It is most likely a fact that Gilgamesh’s attempt to attain immortality was in a bid to destroy his human side and retain his divine part.

The influences of religion are still very prominent today as they were in ancient Mesopotamia. In fact, religious influences today are so strong that in some instances, they border on fanaticism. Those who have retained their religious beliefs in a world that is headed to secularization believe that what they are doing is the will of God and that anyone not doing the same is a sinner and will die in hell. Furthermore, some of the most powerful states in the world today are monarchies and the monarchs sit on their thrones not because of any great ability but because a legendary ancestor once ruled before them and this is used to justify their social position. The similarities between the code of Hammurabi and the Ten Commandments can clearly be seen especially when one considers that they both are said to have been handed by a god and that they are both based on the eye for an eye doctrine. The Gilgamesh epic and the Flood story also have many similarities especially when one considers that a version of the latter story is told in the former in greater detail than is told in the Bible.

Existentialism in The Stranger by Albert Camus

Albert Camus’ story, The Stranger, is an existential work which attempts to show the futility of being obsessed with roles that have been set by society; it shows that human beings should exist in their own terms. In The Stranger, the chief character is indifferent to all the things that go on around him and is instead interested only in his own self, essentially endorsing existentialism. Throughout the story, Meursault seems to be an incredibly selfish man who is only interested in himself and does not in the least care for the happenings taking place around him. This creates a situation which helps in the development of the plot of the story, since there is an exploration of the indifference as well as the existential way of life that is displayed by Meursault.

One of the aspects of existentialism that is shown in this story is that of individuals choosing to remain indifferent to others and only be concerned with what concerns them. This is especially the case in the funeral of Meursault mother’s and the man’s obvious indifference to the funeral symbolize his detachment from the world, which he believes to be a place full of nothing but conflict and agony as well as his optimism when it comes to death. In the story, Meursault shows a lack of care towards the diverse events that take place, even the ones that society might consider as being necessary for all of its members, and is thus looked down upon by other individuals who have attended the funeral. His mother’s funeral symbolizes existentialist joy that can be found in death, the liberation from all of the complications, conflicts, and miseries that are often experienced in life as a result of societal expectations.

Initially, Meursault is troubled when he hears of the death of his mother but when he goes to the funeral, he ends up being unaffected, believing his mother is in a better place. With reference to his mother’s death, he states that “Mother died today or maybe yesterday; I can't be sure”, showing that despite his mother’s death, he is at peace with it and he does not feel any sort of sadness or loss. This shows a possibility of Meursault’s belief that the day that his mother died is not important and that she is perhaps better off in this state. Thus, he chooses not to concentrate on the funeral service, and instead chooses to focus on the people who have attended the funeral. He does not display any of the regret or happiness that members of society would have expected him to express towards the people who have come to support him in his time of need, since he has just lost his mother.

When he is deplored by society and incarcerated for killing a man, his freedom is taken away from him, and any values or desires that he was once able to act upon would not be able to be acted upon anymore. This essentially interferes with his existential way of life because he is no longer able to act upon those impulses which were a basic part of his life. Meuersault seems to have lost all interest in life as a result of his incarceration and this creates a situation where he finds all accusations made against him irrelevant. When questioned repeatedly about his indifference towards his mother’s funeral while he is incarcerated, Meursault becomes upset and impatient. He finds it ridiculous and redundant the way society is condemning him for his beliefs and not for the crime he committed. When a priest questions Meursault, he ends up sharing his thoughts and beliefs, revealing that his mother’s funeral was a moment of joy and not of grief. He states that his indifference towards his mother’s funeral is as a result of his love for her and his wish that she rest in peace free from the problems of the world. The funeral, therefore, ends up being a symbol of hope for Meursault, that he can be free from the world and free from the expectations of society on him.

In conclusion, The Stranger is a story that endorses existentialism as seen through the manner that Meuersault considers the world. It is revealed that because of the societal restrictions, this character is highly pessimistic about life and he does not seem to derive joy from it. This is a man who does not consider death with fear or sadness; he looks upon it as a means of salvation from the problems that plague individuals in the world.