Themes in Literature - 991 Words

Often in literature there are common themes that occur throughout eras and genres to link two otherwise different pieces of writing. One particular example of this occurrance can be seen in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Although these works have been written in very different time periods and use separate styles, there are two themes which link both stories and convey a very similar message. Strict societal roles and the treatment of women in patriarchal societies are prevalent ideas in both Shakespeare’s play and Atwood’s novel. These themes are approached and dealt with differently in each work, but ultimately convey the same meaning. There are some aspects of humanity that are†¦show more content†¦The Handmaid’s Tale and The Taming of the Shrew offer very different views on the matter: Atwood gives a more sympathetic and feminist outlook, whereas Shakespeare tends to lean towards misogyny. In The Handmaid’s Tale, the Gileadean government oppressesed the women of the country as the new theocracy gains more power. Women are deprived of the right to vote, to have jobs, to hold money or property, to have an education and even the right to read. Initially there is an angry outburst at this, and the women fight to get their freedom back, but as the totalitarian state grows stronger, they find that there is less and less that they are able to do about their predicament. Eventually, women are reduced to being considered a ‘national resource,’ valued for their wombs and ability to reproduce, and seen as potential mothers rather than individuals. Rebellious behaviour is punished by death or banishment to work in camps; cleaning up toxic waste, so the oppressed women are limited to the smallest acts of rebellion, such as whispering among themselves when they are supposed to be silent. The Taming of the Shrew was written during the Elizabetha n Era in England, so most of the attitudes towards women in the play are reflective of the established beliefsShow MoreRelatedThemes Of The Greek Literature1409 Words   |  6 Pagessurviving Greek literature, many themes can be identified that give ideas about what life was like at the time of their origin. For example, themes such as honor and bravery are prevalent which exemplifies the importance of glory in ancient Greek men, which could be used to explain motives and behavior. Many themes, however, can go hand in hand to create a certain narrative. The theme of misogyny, combined with deceit and trickery, is prevalent in Hesiodic and Homeric literature through the descriptionsRead MoreThe Themes Of African American Literature1345 Words   |  6 PagesWithin African American Literature, there are many themes that are relatable across many different forms of media. Paintings, for example, can have similar and contradictory themes to those that are used in African American Liter ature. Like authors with their literature, artists too take from their experiences and opinions and form a creation that is a reflection of what they believe. These creations, both literature and paintings, can contain certain topics that are quite alike. Ellis Wilson, andRead MoreTheme in Literature Essay4725 Words   |  19 PagesMr. Judd Name__________________ CH. 14 America and World War II Study Guide It was the bloodiest, deadliest war the world had ever seen. More than 38 million people died, many of them innocent civilians. It also was the most destructive war in history. Fighting raged in many parts of the world. More than 50 nations took part in the war, which changed the world forever. For Americans, World War II had a clear-cut purpose. People knew why they were fighting: to defeat tyranny. Most ofRead MoreTheme Of Insanity In Gothic Literature813 Words   |  4 Pages Insanity Gothic literature can be composed of several themes depending on the purpose the writers intend to convey. William Faulkner, Edgar Allen Poe, and Richard Matheson are virtuosos within the realm of gothic literature. They have perfected the ability to blend fiction and horror through the use of certain gothic elements. Through their many works, such as â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† â€Å"Prey,† and â€Å"The Black Cat,† the authors implement numerous themes regarding violence and entrapment- existing in bothRead MoreTheme of Alienation in Literature Essay1118 Words   |  5 PagesA Alienation is a common theme in literature as it can elicit many deep emotions. It can be attached to characters who have acted very drastically or who need to do so. Either way, alienated characters create a sense of intrigue with the personal reliance that they are faced with. 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Death surrounds us and our everyday life, something that we must adapt and ac cept. Whether its on television or newpaper, youll probobly hear about the death of an individual or even a group. Most people have their own ideas and attitude towards it, but many consider this to be a tragic event due to many reasons. For those who suffered greatly from despair, living their life miserably and hopelessly, it could actually be a relief toRead MoreEssay Theme of Alienation in Literature929 Words   |  4 PagesTheme of Alienation in Literature A common theme among the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne is alienation. Alienation is defined as emotional isolation or dissociation from others. In Hawthornes novels and short stories, characters are consistently alienated and experience isolation from society. These characters are separated from their loved ones both physically and psychologically. The harsh judgmental conditions of Puritan society are the cause of isolation for theseRead MoreThe Theme of Isolation in Various Literature2569 Words   |  11 PagesThe Theme of Isolation in Various Literature In this essay all of the literature I have chosen will have to do with isolation. {1} When people have been isolated they dont see other people for a long time and this can lead to make a person stronger or make them weaker. In a live and death situation in can give them the extra will to live that you didnt have before. It can make him stronger and become his ally or it can beat him. When you are alone it makes you think about things that youRead MoreLiterature with the theme of self-destruction1660 Words   |  7 PagesOver time though, with additional killings, he becomes increasingly apathetic and callous. He shuts himself off from his feelings and becomes increasingly cold. His lack of feeling results in actions that lead him to become self-destructive. 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