The quintessence of humanity Often in life, people take their freedom for granted, a gift that allows them to express their individuality. However, in the dystopian societies of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go, people are reminded of how easily their freedoms and humanity can be taken away. Attwood and Ishiguro urge people to never lose sight of the core values ​​that define who they are. The gripping novels chronicle the life journey of two protagonists as they struggle to define their existence and their worth in life. Offred, the central character of The Handmaid's Tale, is exploited as a baby-making machine, while Kathy, the main role in Never Let Me Go, is degraded as a lifeless android in a sea of ​​clones. From Atwood and Ishiguro's provocative coming-of-age novels emerge two beautiful and inspiring heroines. Whether through the memory of the past, the loss of innocence, the ability to hope, or the ability to form relationships, Offred and Kathy demonstrate that they are just as human as the rest of society. Ultimately, despite the many differences between their masterpieces, Atwood and Ishiguro share the same intent in their disturbing portrait of the dehumanization of the protagonists: to shed light on the true essence of what it means to be human. Humanity is defined by a person's abilities. to grow and develop. The stages of growth are visualized through the intricate past of human beings of memories, experiences and loss of innocence. The past reminds people of their true selves, encourages them to discover their identity, and provides them with hope and strength. Before the Gildean Era, Offred enjoyed the freedom to determine… middle of paper… beer and Never Let Me Go are as different as they are the same; however, the passionate Atwood together with the melancholic Ishiguro exquisitely capture the essence of the human being at the heart of the two novels. The heroines show through their past memories, their never giving up hope for the future and their need for love, acceptance and friendship that they are human. The discovery and eventual acceptance of humanity marks the beginning of what a hero must embody, as he overcomes everything that life throws his way; ultimately, however, only true heroes are able to embrace their destiny. Works Cited Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. Leader: McClelland & Stewart, 1985. Print.Donne, John. "Meditation XVII." Devotions on emerging occasions. 1624. Print.Ishiguro, Kazuo. Never let Me Go. Toronto: Vintage Canada, 2006. Print.