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8 Dec 2025

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Comparing A Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein

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Ella @ella_nxei

Studying The Handmaid's Tale and Frankensteintogether reveals fascinating parallels between two very different dystopian worlds. Both novels... Show more

# Comparisons in Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein:
Key:3
AO2: Methods + Subject terminology
Comparisons
Quotes
Analysis
Really good analysis

Literary Techniques and Narrative Structure

Both novels use the epistolary format toldthroughletters/documentstold through letters/documents which creates questions about reliability. Frankenstein uses letters from Walton, whilst The Handmaid's Tale includes historical notes that suggest Offred's story might be reconstructed testimony.

The unreliable narrator technique appears in both texts, making you question what's actually true. However, Walton's witness account of the creature in Frankenstein makes that narrative slightly more credible than Offred's isolated perspective.

Doubles and foils feature heavily in The Handmaid's Tale. The previous Offred serves as a warning of Offred's likely fate, whilst characters like Janine, Ofglen, and Moira represent different possible outcomes for women who resist or comply.

💡 Quick Tip When analysing these texts, focus on how the narrative structure itself reinforces the themes of control and truth.

# Comparisons in Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein:
Key:3
AO2: Methods + Subject terminology
Comparisons
Quotes
Analysis
Really good analysis

Religious Control and Social Engineering

The Handmaid's Tale uses religion as a weapon for social control. Gilead employs biblical imagery and ritual (like the Ceremony) to justify oppressing women, whilst the red motif connects to both Hawthorne's Scarlett Letter and ideas of sin and fertility.

The concept of behavioural science underpins Gilead's system - someone deliberately researched methods to brainwash and control people. This makes the oppression feel calculated rather than accidental.

In Frankenstein, scientific hubris drives the plot. Both Walton and Victor risk lives pursuing knowledge, essentially "playing God" by trying to control natural processes. Victor attempts to create life without women, cutting mothers entirely out of reproduction.

💡 Key Point Both texts show how institutions (religious or scientific) can be twisted to justify controlling women's bodies and choices.

# Comparisons in Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein:
Key:3
AO2: Methods + Subject terminology
Comparisons
Quotes
Analysis
Really good analysis

Female Characterisation and Sacrifice

The passive female characters in both novels are striking. Elizabeth in Frankenstein and the previous Offred represent women who don't rebel - and this compliance literally kills them. Elizabeth dies because she never questions Victor, whilst the previous Offred hangs herself.

Objectification runs through both texts. Offred's patronym shows she belongs to the Commander, whilst Victor repeatedly refers to Elizabeth as his "possession" - "she was to be mine only". Both women become property rather than people.

The novels present self-sacrificing women like Caroline and Elizabeth who die serving men's needs. Their "sickeningly obliging" nature contrasts sharply with rebels like Moira who actively resist.

Blood imagery connects both texts - The Handmaid's Tale's red symbolism links to menstruation and fertility, whilst Frankenstein's "bloodless" gothic atmosphere suggests the draining of natural feminine power.

💡 Essay Gold Compare how rebellion vs compliance leads to different fates for female characters across both novels.

# Comparisons in Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein:
Key:3
AO2: Methods + Subject terminology
Comparisons
Quotes
Analysis
Really good analysis

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English Literature

565

8 Dec 2025

4 pages

Comparing A Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein

user profile picture

Ella

@ella_nxei

Studying The Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein together reveals fascinating parallels between two very different dystopian worlds. Both novels explore how power structures control women, use unreliable narrators to tell their stories, and feature complex villains who aren't entirely evil.

# Comparisons in Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein:
Key:3
AO2: Methods + Subject terminology
Comparisons
Quotes
Analysis
Really good analysis

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Literary Techniques and Narrative Structure

Both novels use the epistolary format toldthroughletters/documentstold through letters/documents which creates questions about reliability. Frankenstein uses letters from Walton, whilst The Handmaid's Tale includes historical notes that suggest Offred's story might be reconstructed testimony.

The unreliable narrator technique appears in both texts, making you question what's actually true. However, Walton's witness account of the creature in Frankenstein makes that narrative slightly more credible than Offred's isolated perspective.

Doubles and foils feature heavily in The Handmaid's Tale. The previous Offred serves as a warning of Offred's likely fate, whilst characters like Janine, Ofglen, and Moira represent different possible outcomes for women who resist or comply.

💡 Quick Tip: When analysing these texts, focus on how the narrative structure itself reinforces the themes of control and truth.

# Comparisons in Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein:
Key:3
AO2: Methods + Subject terminology
Comparisons
Quotes
Analysis
Really good analysis

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

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Join milions of students

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Religious Control and Social Engineering

The Handmaid's Tale uses religion as a weapon for social control. Gilead employs biblical imagery and ritual (like the Ceremony) to justify oppressing women, whilst the red motif connects to both Hawthorne's Scarlett Letter and ideas of sin and fertility.

The concept of behavioural science underpins Gilead's system - someone deliberately researched methods to brainwash and control people. This makes the oppression feel calculated rather than accidental.

In Frankenstein, scientific hubris drives the plot. Both Walton and Victor risk lives pursuing knowledge, essentially "playing God" by trying to control natural processes. Victor attempts to create life without women, cutting mothers entirely out of reproduction.

💡 Key Point: Both texts show how institutions (religious or scientific) can be twisted to justify controlling women's bodies and choices.

# Comparisons in Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein:
Key:3
AO2: Methods + Subject terminology
Comparisons
Quotes
Analysis
Really good analysis

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Female Characterisation and Sacrifice

The passive female characters in both novels are striking. Elizabeth in Frankenstein and the previous Offred represent women who don't rebel - and this compliance literally kills them. Elizabeth dies because she never questions Victor, whilst the previous Offred hangs herself.

Objectification runs through both texts. Offred's patronym shows she belongs to the Commander, whilst Victor repeatedly refers to Elizabeth as his "possession" - "she was to be mine only". Both women become property rather than people.

The novels present self-sacrificing women like Caroline and Elizabeth who die serving men's needs. Their "sickeningly obliging" nature contrasts sharply with rebels like Moira who actively resist.

Blood imagery connects both texts - The Handmaid's Tale's red symbolism links to menstruation and fertility, whilst Frankenstein's "bloodless" gothic atmosphere suggests the draining of natural feminine power.

💡 Essay Gold: Compare how rebellion vs compliance leads to different fates for female characters across both novels.

# Comparisons in Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein:
Key:3
AO2: Methods + Subject terminology
Comparisons
Quotes
Analysis
Really good analysis

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

11

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

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iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

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Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

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Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

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