Labyrinth of Symmetry and Shadows : an analysis of Doubles in Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" and "The Heart Goes Last"

Details

Supervisors

Bertrand, Ingrid

Faculty

Faculté de philosophie, arts et lettres

Degree label

Master [120] en langues et lettres modernes, orientation générale

Abstract

This MA dissertation is devoted to the analysis of doubles in Margaret Atwood’s "The Handmaid’s tale" (1985) and "The Heart Goes Last" (2015). The aim of this paper is to provide a definition of the term 'double' and to build a typology of the different types of doubles, as well as their roles in the development of the protagonist’s identity. After an introduction on the evolution of 'doppelgängers', an analysis of the protagonists and their doubles is carried out. It is divided into four categories, linked to the different types of doubles. The first category is called “the Idol” and is composed of Offred’s mother and Grandma Win, who nurture the protagonists and are at the basis of their personality. Then, I continue with “the Anti-Reflection,” namely Serena and Stan, who are Offred and Charmaine’s antitheses, psychologically speaking. The next category is entitled “the Darker-Self,” doubles who are embodied by the Unknown woman, Ofglen and Jasmine, representing the anti-social instincts of the main characters. Finally, the last section is devoted to “the Shadow,” this type of double being physically similar to Offred and Charmaine. At the end of this paper, I will be able to classify all those doubles and their roles and to provide an innovative definition of the term 'doppelgänger'.