Frankenstein and The Handmaids Tale - Impacts of Science

The Handmaid's tale -relationship between scientific experimentation and religion

epigraph - "Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children or else I die" - Genesis 30:1-3

Chapter 15 - "The commander, as if reluctantly, begins to read... it's the usual story, the usual stories. God to Adam, God to Noah. Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. Then comes the mouldy old Rachel and Leah stuff we had drummed into us at the centre. Give me children or else i die."

"What it really means is that she is in control, of the process and thus of the product."

Frankenstein- relationship between scientific experimentation and religion

"It was the secrets of heaven and earth that i desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me, still my enquires were directed to the metaphysical."

after victor disposed of his instruments - "But it refreshed me and filled me with such agreeable sensations that i resolved to prolong my stay on the water"

The Handmaids tale - Male characters are inherently connected with science in both novels, leading to the plight of women.

commanders ruling the misogynistic theocracy misuse science in such a way that it is linked to the operation of the society itself.

"walking wombs"

Offreds visit to the doctor reflects her suffering at the hands of men - he aspects as male embodiment of scientific exploitation - verbs "poked" and "prodded" and expresses "the knowledge of his power hangs nevertheless in the air as he pats my thigh"

Frankenstein - Male characters are inherently connected with science in both novels, leading to the plight of women.

"the moon gazed on my midnight labours, while, with unrelated and breathless eagerness, i perused nature to her hiding places."

death of elizabeth - "the murderous mark of the fiends grasp" who is the personification of "natural philosophy"

The Handmaids Tale - impact of science of society - the concept of othering and the resulting rebellion.

"a rat is free to go nowhere as long as it stays inside the maze"

offred describes her body as "strange" and "outdated"

the handmaids are subjected to othering, which causes rebellion - chapter 9- "Nolite de bastardes carborandorum"

Frankenstein - impact of science of society - the concept of othering and the resulting rebellion.

the creature is rejected by an individual - his creator - which leads to his rejection by society as a whole - "the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart"

monster - "am i thought to be the only criminal when all of mankind has sinned against me?"