In truth, power and authority have always tilted in man’s favor over women. Currently, even in America, most political figures are men. Even though women have the same rights, it may still be a patriarchal country. In both Kindred by Octavia Butler and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, these political issues take place simultaneously. The first novel makes use of time travel which the main character makes her way to the future of a dystopian regime. Similarly, the other novel is based on a modern woman who has to made decisions in a challenging past. The patriarchal society makes it even more difficult for them to receive the rights these women deserved. Both of these authors link the struggles that a modern woman must face.
Moreover, political affiliation is one of the many obstacles that women in literature where and are still faced with in today’s society. The roles played by women played in society over the years have not been easy. One such role was in the novel Kindred. Octavia E. Butler’s novel is a combination of science and historical fiction. As the narrative follows, the novel explores the idea of a male dominated society right from the beginning. At the beginning of the novel it is set in June of 1976. They are both living in a time where slavery is not an issue. All of a sudden, they are both transported back to Maryland in the year 1815.
The narrator of the story is a courageous and independent twenty-six-year-old African American woman named Dana. Kevin is a white slave owner who shares a romantic interest in Dana. At the same time, she knows the consequences for romantic love and says to her partner Kevin, ‘We’re going to have to fit in as best we can with the people here for as long as we have to stay. That means we’re going to have to play the roles you gave us (Butler 65).’ During this time, they both needed to keep quiet about their identity or they risk the chance of serious consequential action against them.
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With current laws, they faced harsh punishments which could potentially lead toward death. Being a woman and living in a patriarchal society does not make her situation any better. This is because any accumulated wealth she had the fortune of making, had to go to assisting her family. Dana describes her job with the agency as, “Getting sent out meant the minimum wage—minus Uncle Sam’s share or as many hours as you were needed. (Butler 52).” This shows how much she resents the role she has been given. When Rufus has grown into a man, she has to start worrying about Rufus trying to take advantage of her like he has done to Alice, and how several masters used to treat their female slaves.
On the note of roles, a contrasting situation occurs in, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Consequently, it would not be that hard for government leaders in today’s society to suddenly decide that the republic of Gilead is one that is needed in the country. The women in this society were not born into slavery. In fact, the Republic of Gilead has quickly removed the rights of women. In essence, this means that their powers where taken away. In the other novel, the women had no rights to begin with. It is also important to note the men’s involvement as the novel progresses.
To explain, the patriarchy had committed serious offenses against the women and would later be punished by ones who are in charge which are the Commanders. Offred, who is the main narrator of the novel gives insight to the reader by stating the crimes that these men committed against the women in the society they are living in. “These men, we’ve been told, are like war criminals. It is no excuse that what they did was legal at the time: their crimes are retroactive (Atwood 33).”
In contrast to “Kindred” the men are often executed for gender treachery with the opposite sex, opposing the Gilead regime or for providing abortion or birth control in the pre-Gilead days when the United States government was still in charge of the people. The women in the novel are hopeful for the future stating that, “For generations that come after, Aunt Lydia said it will be so much better. The women will live in harmony together, all in one family… (Atwood 121).” Moreover, this gives the women a positive message for change that is needed. These women need to stand up to the government in power as well as the patriarchy in order to get what they want which is equality.
In comparison, both of these novels address an issue which continues in today’s society. That issue being the rights of women and the oppression that they face from the patriarchal society. Kindred and The Handmaid’s Tale have themes that are based on portraying women as property instead of their true value. Margaret Atwood demonstrates exactly how the Gilead Society degrades the handmaid’s women with a quote, ‘There are to be no toeholds for love. We are two-legged wombs, that’s all: sacred vessels, ambulatory chalices’ (Atwood 176).
In truth, the passage seen as being demoralizing to woman because it shows us that the only purpose for these handmaids have is to have sexual intercourse with the Commanders against their will and to bear a child. These women are seen as objects for reproduction. It is also important to note that the handmaids are used as a piece of meat and disrespected by every single person that she has to deal with including the other women in the household. This is also noted in Kindred. Likewise, there are certain parts in the novel that oppress woman for sexual purposes.
For example, “I had thought that eventually, he would just rape her again. In fact, I was surprised that he hadn’t already done it” (Butler 162). To explain, Dana is disgusted by Rufus’ actions that he commits against his wife, Alice. Overall, both novels give clear illustrations of women in a patriarchal society and the struggles that they face.
All things considered, it is important to note the government’s involvement in both of these novels. Both of these authors link the struggles that a modern woman must face in a patriarchal society. Moreover, political affiliation is one of the many obstacles that women in literature where and are still faced with in today’s society. At the beginning of the novel it is set in June of 1976. They are both living in a time where slavery is not an issue. All of a sudden, they are both transported back to Maryland in the year 1815. First, Kindred uses a time travel to focus on the events of slavery.
Next, In Kindred, with current laws, these women faced harsh punishments which could potentially lead toward death. Being a woman and living in a patriarchal society does not make her situation any better. This is because any accumulated wealth she had the fortune of making, had to go to assisting her family. Contrasting to this, The Handmaid’s Tale, is based upon a time where the Republic of Gilead takes over making the women in modern day society powerless. The men in the novel also faced punishment for any crimes that they committed while impregnating the women. In comparison, both novels raise similar points pertaining to sexuality. The women look up for a brighter future for the world to come. All in all, both novels have similar meanings to the rights of women and also focusing on the government’s involvement.
