Roles defined by gender is a concept that plays an essential part of Alison Walker’s ‘The Color Purple’ (TCP) and Margaret Atwoods ‘The Handmaids Tale’ (THT). The idea influences both novels to the extent that it becomes a distinctive thematic element and is explored through language, structure and narrative technique. Both writers depict domination of females by males from the female perspective although the writers’ styles differ. Atwood’s novel concentrates on the oppression of females by the male totalitarian society of Gilead, in doing so the novel has distinctively feminist ideals or elements. Walker on the other hand refutes the feminist label when it is used to describe The Color Purple as, in her view, the novel encapsulates the oppression of women, based on creed and colour as well as sex. Essentially she describes herself as a ‘womanist’. This inclusion of colour in her idea of oppression is illustrated through her comment –

“womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender”.

The simile reveals two of Walkers womanist views, firstly, the strength of her feeling as well as the depth of women’s strug

“Date Rape…it sounds like some dessert”

Women’s use as sexual objects is a major method of demoralisation and efeminisation of the sex used in both novels. Atwoods creation of the Handmaids role and use of ceremony is her technique in creating this position of sexual submissiveness. Our first encounter with Offreds sexual abuse is her encounter in chapter 11 with a routine bodily check-up. The approach by a male doctor to impregnate Offred shows the perversion of a once trusted institution. It highlights the pressure on women in Gilead to produce children and the male control stretches to the extent of them believing that-

The conclusions that can be gained from the analysis of the two novels consist of their content, structure and ultimately whether, at the novels conclusion the protagonists break free from male oppression. In The Color Purple, Celie achieves this, breaking from her masculine restraints and even attempting to reconcile, or at least understand the males that once abused her e.g. Albert. Atwood chooses to end The Handmaids Tale ambiguously. As the reader we do not establish whether her capture was an act of love from Nick, or whether the capture had more sinister undertones. Atwood allows the readers perception of the novel and preconceived ideas on feminism and female suffering to come up with their own conclusions, forcing us to further consider such issues. Atwoods inclusion of the Historical Notes, illustrates the effect an individuals perception of the novel and highlights the female viewpoint from which the main part of the novel is written. It highlights male ignorance, arrogance and most humorously the major irony of the novel that it was the infertility of the males that caused reproductive difficulties. Essentially, both Atwood and Walker challenge and overcome the idea of male oppression with the collective idea of the sisterhood.

Sisterhood of gender. Shug is used as a character by Walker to represent the potential of females and so as a role model to Celie. This can be observed through the influence she possesses over many of the previously dominant males in the novel e.g. Albert, which is illustrated, immediately in her use of Mr . . first name. She is also the catalyst for Celies growth as a women regarding her increase in control and understanding her sexuality. Nettie is a focus of change for Celie, she is her link to a wider sisterhood that is includ

Some topics in this essay:
Color Purple, Sofia Nettie, Tale’ THT, Night Sections, God Nettie, Pa Albert, Celie Shugs, Handmaids Tale, Serena Offred, Ceremony Offred, color purple, walker similarly, male oppression, alison walker, racial sisterhood, concept sisterhood, eg albert, wider sisterhood, major irony, perception novel,