The conceptualization of rape in modern English novels : Margaret Atwood's the Handmaid's Tale, and Naomi Alderman's the power

Abstract EN

With the advent of the second wave of feminism 1970s, a central theoretical debate about the origins of women's oppression, the role of the family, and women's sexual violence especially rape erupted.

in modern novels, beginning in the late 1930s, until the present, the concept of rape is shown and clearly criticized.

in Margaret Atwood’s the handmaid's tale 1985, and Naomi alderman's the power 1962, the corporeal act of sexual violence is the technique each novelist employs to convey her themes of sexuality, race and gender.

analyzing both novels would follow three main angles: first, exploring ways in which society positions women as inherently passive rapeable and men as rapists.

second, how these novels use symbols and allegory to enhance the theme of rape.

third, how these novels change the contemporary reader's attitude towards rape ; how women are turned out to be the triumphant party in this war of rape.

in this paper women are no longer passive and rapeable.

they are, however, the powerful side of this issue to the extent of being even rapists themselves.

since women represent a place of passivity, as the raped party ; if a man is raped, he is forced then to be in the position of a woman ; a passive weaker partner in society.