literary techniques to attempt to create a believable novel

In both The Handmaids Tale and Frankenstein, the author uses literary techniques to attempt to create a believable novel. In the handmaid’s tale, the author creates a fictional “historical notes” and uses memories in a “talk-to-the-tape” fashion, whereas in Frankenstein the author uses frame narrative, epistolary and nature to help create a believable novel. Frankenstein was written in 1831 whereas The Handmaids Tale was written in the early 1980’s.

The structure of The Handmaid’s Tale is characterized by many different kinds of imaginary ideas. For one, the title itself, and the fictional “Historical Notes on the Handmaid’s Tale” of the book’s end, frame the entire novel as Offred’s story, that she’s said into a tape recorder in the old fashioned storytelling tradition. “We must be cautious about passing moral judgment upon the Gileadean. Surely we have learned by now that such judgments are of necessity culture-specific…our job is not to censure but to understand.” This seems to be a real place and by putting it into historical notes it makes it seem as if it was real. Furthermore, Atwood’s whole story is also punctuated by shorter stories she tells herself, of the time before Gilead or Aunt Lydia’s lessons. These small flashbacks are triggered by the slightest thing, and they occur throughout the novel; it seems like Offred lives in several multi-layered worlds, the present, the free past, and the Red Center that came in-between both of them. This continuous idea of looking back into the past gives you a strong feeling of believability as it makes you feel that you know the character now and then. “Humanity is so adaptable, my mother would say. Truly amazing, what people can get used to, as long as there are a few compensations…!” This seems like the narrator is reciting something from the past, making it feel as if this situation truly happened, and she lived through it.

In Shelly’s novel, Frankenstein is told through layers of first person narratives. Walton is the main narrator, then in an epistolary manner, and then recounts Victor's first-person narrative. In addition, Victor's narrative contains the monster's first person story as well as letters from other characters, including his dead friend. By creating this frame narrative, it seems that the novel, similarly to Atwood’s, is written in a multi-layered style between mainly Walton, victor, and the monster. The different perspectives give you a feeling of knowledge as you are made to feel as if you are getting to know everyone’s opinion and their side of the story.

The idea of religion run throughout both novels, creating- using extracts from the bible- a sense of history and understanding. This also links with the science involved throughout the novel. “Remember that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel.” this quote links to the bible as he is talking directly about Adam and eve – victor is playing god and trying to do so through science, this led to a destructive creature. The idea of the fallen angel represents both the monster and Satan, trying to show that to recreate live and science is the work of the devil as they have no soul. This can be linked to paradise lost also where it talks about the fallen angel. The use of the voyage and the sciences is due to many recent discoveries and explorations which had happened recently, such as the 18 year old boy who set sail around the world.

In the handmaid’s tale, the Old Testament is the justification for many of Gilead’s characteristics. Offred’s job as Handmaid is based on the biblical reference of Rachel and Leah, where fertile servants can carry on false relationships to allow more women to be born- Genesis 30. Furthermore, the “Angels” are the soldiers, and they have names like “Angels of Light”. Whereas the word “angel” suggests something innocent or holy, the “Angels” in Gilead fight in wars. The names seem to suggest that it is a religious war they fight. The “Eyes” are the secret police who are supposed to spy on the people in Gilead. The name is also taken from the Bible. By using so many biblical references, it makes the reader believe that such actions have happened and that the history backs up the point.

A feminist approach to frankenstien would see that Mary Shelley was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, a women's activist. Wollstonecraft has been called "The mother of women's liberation". Amid the nineteenth century, inside Genevian culture, where the novel was composed, men commanded the social circle totally. Perceiving Mary Shelley's women's the handmaids tale as the role of Offred is one with much importance within this book.  foundation, as a girl of Mary Wollstonecraft, brings into inquiry the intentions behind womanizing all of female characters in Frankenstein. Elizabeth and Justine both died far before the end of the novel. It can be contended that by accentuating the reactionary characteristics of all the female characters in the story, Shelley could underline the negative parts of the static female part by "executing off" female characters who fit that part.

In similarity a feminist reading handmaids tale would see the handmaids tale as: Offred’s life, as well as the life of all other Handmaids, appears to be very structured.  Woman who are fertile within Gilead become Handmaids, showing that woman are only esteemed upon the worth of their reproduction.  While some openly reject their status as Handmaids, most remain quiet with the fear that they will be taken away by the ‘eye’.  Through the actions of Offred, most woman reject their status; however, reject it unsuspiciously. These rejections are seen through the actions of Offred, when she see’s the Commander in secret; often reading and writing in the confines of his private office.  This is also seen when Offred steals items such as flowers, for nothing but the purpose of her own satisfaction  The relationship between men and woman within Gilead seems very structured; with the exception of Nick. Although a relationship does happen between the commander and offred, the basis of structure hangs low.  The relationship between the Commander and his wife, Serena Joy, also seems very structured.

In conclusion, both The Handmaids Tale and Frankenstein use similar topoi in order to create a believable, anti-utopian novel. Although both novels are from completely different eras and have different genres, however, the idea of time and religion runs smoothly throughout both of them and helps create a sense of believabislity due to the historical context within.