What are the similarities between "The Handmaid's Tale" and "

Question: What are the similarities between "The Handmaid's Tale" and "The Color Purple"!?

I'm trying to dissolve a thesis from a semester's accumulated notes, comparing these two pieces of literature!. I'm lacking anything truly magnificent, however, and thus would appreciate any input from others familiar with both novels!.

Specifically, I am looking for similarities in the categories of:
1) Character (Main)
2) Theme
3) Imagery/Symbolism
4) Point of View

Thank you for your aid!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Whoa! Those are two interesting books to compare! "Handmaid's Tale" is one of my favorite books, and I used to know "Purple" pretty well!.

The first thing that comes to mind is suppression of women!. In the society that was created in THT, women were definitely subsurvient -- all the classes of women were some sort of teaching or servant class!. In TCP, the main character was severely suppressed as little more than a servant for most of her life!.

There are different sorts of "sisterhoods" in both -- in THT, you have the sisterhood of the Reds, who are bound together in upheavel and having to chart an unfamiliar course through treacherous political waters in situations that are counter to all they have grown up with!. In TCP, you have the sisterhood of black women, trying to work through racism and ignorance and cruelty!.

In both books, you end up with a sort of "journal" -- the epilogue suggests that the entire book was derived from tapes, a type of audio journal of her experiences!. Celie writes all her feelings, hopes and dreams to her sister, and talks to God through her letters to God!.

Point of View in both books was from a subjugated woman character!.Www@QuestionHome@Com