An essay by an A-level English Literature private tutor + A* student.
An essay on the presentation of setting in The Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein
Edexcel English Literature A-level
Compare the ways in which the writers of your two chosen texts use setting. You must
relate your discussion to relevant contextual factors. (40 marks)
Settings in both texts are used in order to foreshadow the isolation and despair
experienced. However Shelley and Atwood explore different perspectives that lead to this.
Shelley explores the the isolation of the pursuer of knowledge and power whereas Atwood
explores the isolation of those victimised by the pursuer. Despite this both protagonists
experience an oppressive setting exploring the idea that true restriction exists within the
mind.
Despite the vast contrast between the description of the opening settings between the two
novels, they both serve to foreshadow the isolation and despair the protagonists of both
novels experience.Frankenstein opens with a romantic description of the sublime: ‘I feel a
cold northern breeze play upon my cheeks, which braces my nerves and fills me with
delight.’ The personification of ‘play’ reinforces this child-like image presenting how
Walton’s child-like fascination feeds his nativity.Where the sublime image of an icy setting is
usually daunting it is rather illustrative of Walton’s childlike ambition and naivety as well as
his deep desire for exploration. Whilst it can be argued that Walton is naive in his
ambitions, his explorations and descriptions can be interpreted alternatively: The idea that
this setting is daunting to others proves that real insight is important. Whilst others steer
clear of the sublime because of the perceived danger Walton chooses to explore it and
understand it, leading him to see the true beauty of the sublime. Much like the monster if
Victor had given him the chance. Additionally the syntax used in the opening could portray
Walton’s breathless immaturity and passion for the expedition, ’Braces my nerves’. Both the
personification and romantic description both serve to portray the power of nature and its
rejuvenating qualities Whilst the setting is described using dramatic and poetic language it
is clear that parallels can be drawn between the setting and the monster. Both are cold, one
in terms of human nature and one physically, moreover both are isolated and detached
from the rest of the world. Hence as a result the devastation and isolation of Victor, Walton
and the Monster are clearly foreshadowed.
Contrastingly, Offred in THT is portrayed as aware of the dangers society poses rather than
Shelley’s image of Frankenstein as naive in the face of implicit hints of devastation. This is
equally seen in the opening setting, the description of Offer’s room ‘A chair, a table, a lamp’.
The rule of three employed imparts a matter of fact and blunt tone which serves to contrast
Walton’s overleaping ambition as well as the dramatic and poetic language as employed by
Shelley. The bleak description of banal objects Offred provides illustrates her lack of hope
and ambition. She is limited to the constraints of her government assigned room.
Presenting Offred to be the victim of those who pursue knowledge and absolute power. This
lack of hope is further portrayed through the dangers posed by isolation in Gilead ‘they’ve
removed anything you can tie a rope to’ the allusion of suicide emphasises the extent of
Offred’s oppression. Contrastingly Offred’s opening description of the setting presents an
explicit danger as opposed to the implicit danger suggested in Frankenstein. Where Walton
desires to travel as he was once oppressed by his father, he is now submerged in an
abundance of freedom. Offred remains controlled by Gilead where fate and ambition is
erased.
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