COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ‘THE HANDMAID’S TALE’ AND ‘THE MONSOON WAR’

THROUGH THE LENS OF FOUCAULT’S BIOPOWER

IQRA NOOR
02-117211-035
MAHAM HAFEEZ ABBASI
02-117211-016
MAHNOOR KAMRAN GHOURI
02-117211-014

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the

requirements for the award of the degree of
BS (English)

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

BAHRIA UNIVERSITY KARACHI CAMPUS

DECEMBER 2024
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Approval for Examination

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Author’s Declaration

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is my own work and has not been submitted previously by me for taking any degree
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Plagiarism Undertaking

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ABSTRACT

The present study entails a comparative study between The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret
Atwood and The Monsoon War by Bina Shah using Michel Foucault’s concept of biopower
while also examining and comparing themes of resistance across the narratives through the
characters of Offred and Alia. The novels are set in a totalitarian society that legitimize rape
simultaneously subjecting women to systematic oppression, exploitation and ghastly practices. In
The Handmaid’s Tales, the state of Gilead coerces potential fertile women into reproductive
servitude, shrouding it in religious justification to maintain discipline and submission. Likewise,
The Monsoon War depicts society that dehumanizes women through forced polygamy and
institutionalizing rape under the guise of societal benefit to combat the issue of low population.
The paper incorporates non-empirical research design, employing textual evidence to validate the
analysis. In Foucault’s view, biopower entails the notion that the governing bodies control
individual by enforcing laws perpetuating absolute control over their bodies, often extending to
intimate aspects of life. The novels present patriarchal societies that abuse women and reduced
them to their reproductive capabilities while depriving them of their individual identity. In this
study, the horrific intervention of states on women’s bodies and the collapse of liberation of
women are examined by Foucault’s idea of biopower along with the theme of resistance evident
in the novels.

Keywords: Totalitarian, Reproductive, Oppression, Resistance, Exploitation, Biopower,

Liberation
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Table of Contents
Approval For Examination…………………………………………………………………………....ii
Author’s Declaration………………………………………………………………………………….iii
Plagiarism Undertaking……………………………………………………………………………....iv
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………………...…..v
Chapter1: Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..
1
1.1 Aims of the Research.....................................................................................................................3
1.2 Significance Of Research...............................................................................................................3
1.3 Research Questions........................................................................................................................4
1.4 Objectives of the Study..................................................................................................................4
1.5 Research Scope..............................................................................................................................4
1.6 Rationale of the study....................................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature Review
………………………………………………………………………….5
2.1 Overview of ‘The Handmaids Tale’ and ‘The Monsoon War’......................................................5
2.2 Introduction of Michel Foucault....................................................................................................5
2.3 Theoretical Framework..................................................................................................................6
2.4 Key Studies....................................................................................................................................7
2.5 Research Gap.................................................................................................................................9
2.6 Methodology..................................................................................................................................9
Chapter 3: Foucault's Biopower in The Narratives of ‘The Handmaid's Tale’ And ‘The Monsoon
War’……………………………………………………………………………………………….....10
3.1 Brief Introduction to Foucault’s Concept of Biopower…………………………………………10
3.2 Foucault’s Concept of Biopower in The Narrative of ‘The Handmaid's Tale’………………….11
3.3 Foucault's Concept of Biopower in The Narrative of ‘The Monsoon War’……………………..14
3.4 Biopower: A Comparative Analysis Of ‘The Handmaid’s Tales’ And ‘The Monsoon War’……17
Chapter 4: Exploring the Theme of Resistance in ‘The Handmaid's Tale’ and ‘The Monsoon
War’ Through the Characters of Offred and Alia……………………………………………………..21
4.1 Exploring the Theme of Resistance through Offred……………………………………………..21
4.2 Exploring the Theme of Resistance through Alia………………………………………………..23
4.3 Comparative Analysis of Offred and Alia's Resistance………………………………………….29
Chapter 5: Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………….28
5.1 Limitations of the Study…………………………………………………………………………28
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5.2 Suggestions for Future Research………………………………………………………………...28

REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................29