Women’s Solidarity and Betrayal in a Repressive Society

Abstract

Women’s solidarity and betrayal in repressive society gives a picture of women Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and George Orwell’s 1984. Both novels depict dystopian societies where individual freedoms are severely restricted, and social structures are manipulated to maintain control. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood describes a theocratic regime that enforces strict gender roles and monitors women’s interactions to prevent unity. Despite these restrictions, moments of genuine connection and support among women still emerge. It analyzes how the protagonist, Offred, interacts with other Handmaids like Ofglen and Janine, highlighting the delicate balance between solidarity and the fear of betrayal under oppression.