Prompt:

In what ways is this literary work similar to, or different from, another literary work you have
studied in IB 11-12?

Write your response here:

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret
Atwood share similarities in terms of their portrayal of female characters in oppressive
societies, but they also have significant differences in their settings, themes, and styles. Both
novels have female protagonists who are oppressed by a patriarchal society and struggle to
assert their autonomy and agency. The settings take place where women are oppressed in
terms of their rights and freedoms. They both explore themes of female friendship and
resilience against systems that oppress them. Meanwhile the primary difference between the
two books is the settings in which they take place. A Thousand Splendid Suns takes place in
the late 20th century in Afghanistan and falls under the genre of historical fiction. Meanwhile A
Handmaid’s Tale takes place in a futuristic 21st century in the old United States, now Gilead.
While both novels depict the subjugation of women, The Handmaid's Tale has a more extreme
portrayal of repressing women as they are reduced to their reproductive function and are
denied basic human rights. Tone is also different with A Thousand Splendid Suns being more
emotional and character-driven, while The Handmaid's Tale is more intellectual and politically
charged.

Word Count: 200