Offred lived a normal, American life when all of the sudden, her family was taken from her so she could go have somebody else’s baby. The Handmaid’s Tale is about a woman’s tale of her life, her story, and her struggles in a new society and how she got there. This story by Margaret Atwood tells the life of Offred, a handmaid for a wealthy couple and her daily struggles trying to adapt to her new world. Offred tells how she makes deals with her Commander and his Wife with hope of getting out and how that changes her life. The progress in this book is not as one would probably describe progress, but it is as follows: the government and society had to make major changes in order to bring about the new system and laws, Gilead is thinking of and executing ways to raise the birthrate in their country, and handmaids and women in general are protected at all costs.…
Past and present, Offred’s peers play a huge role in how she narrates The Handmaid’s Tale. In the last few chapters of this reading, Offred encounters her old friend, Moira, who is now working as a prostitute at a secret club. In the times before biblical religion was the only form of governance, Moira was described as a fiery and rebellious woman, who was always there for Offred. While in the center, she teaches Offred how to care for the other women and keep her wits about her during this horrific transition period. However, the next and final time Offred sees her friend, Moira appears to have been tamed by the system and succumbed to Gilead's way of life. Offred is defiant to the way her friend has become as she states, “She is frightening…
The author offers that Handmaids Tale, “Atwood’s novels became part of a new wave of fiction writing by feminist who wrote both to entertain and to dramatize the plight of women.” He goes on about all the contributing factors that inspired the new fiction writing. He covers the plot and gives quotes from the book specifically from the women and their perceptions. He goes on to explain the different categories of women and their roles. The confinement and objectification of women are evident in the analysis. Government and religion are discussed in great detail and their part in Gilead societies. The religion influences the government entirely and women pay the price. Rape is discussed is perceived as being provoked that women ask for it. The…
The feelings of the ladies in Gilead is parallel to the emotions of the females in the 1960s and ‘70s. Both report to a male “guardian” who have no legal right to property or money. Also, in each society, it is difficult or forbidden for women to hold an occupation. By creating a realm of female suffrage in The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood was able to criticize the social issues of anti-feminist viewpoints that she witnessed growing up. Although women have more liberties today, the message of The Handmaid’s Tale should not be forgotten- no gender alone can run the…
Feminism is the philosophy advocating equal political, economic, and social rights for women. The idea of feminism was not at all prevalent during the 1850s when Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter was published. In spite of this, Hawthorne wrote one of the most influential feminist novels of his time: The Scarlet Letter. This novel was hailed as an important feminist novel because of the main character: Hester Prynne. Hester Prynne is the very embodiment of feminism because of her refusal to adhere to the societal norms, her independence socially and in thought, and how the view of what the society thinks of her changes through the novel.…
The issue that has been persistent for as long as one can remember is Misogyny in the society. The belief that women are inferior to men has been contaminating the human mind. The issue can be commonly seen in the society in form of domestic abuse, violence, objectification in name of advertisements, and especially in the music industry where the lyrics are filled with hateful messages towards women. Even though the governing laws consider men and women as equal, but the mistreatment of women continues to be the headline of every newspaper.…
The representation of the body and identities in The Handmaid’s Tale, the Miller’s Tale and with reference to Never Let Me Go.…
Margaret Atwood’s utilization of literary devices such as an analogy within the novel of The Handmaid’s Tale in order to link the particularly complicated feelings that Serena is feeling to something that may be more familiar. Offred narrates, “The tension between her lack of control and her attempt to suppress it is horrible. It’s like a fart in church.” (pg. 90). In this example, Atwood presents the reader with a dilemma for Serena Joy which the typical reader wouldn’t understand.…
Since the wave of Feminism in Canada, Feminism has been written into the literature by Canadian authors. They believe securing women’s rights would enhance the recognition of women’s value in society, which can lead to the moral and social improvement of all humanity. Secret daughter introduces a weak female character Kavita, who is prohibited from keeping her child in a distorted society. The handmaid's Tale reveals a new career called handmaid in the future society, whose mission is to have children for senior officials. Both Secret daughter and The handmaid’s tale describe an oppressive patriarchal theocratic society. Female characters have to struggle with the cruel reality for their role as women. By doing so, they try to challenge the patriarchal power structure and unfair treatment of women. This resistance proves that there is no inherently superior gender. It reveals that women should revolt against the unequal society for fundamental freedoms and rights.…
Next, Offred goes directly against the rules in the city of Gilead by maintaining the hope that her husband and daughter may still be alive. In the new dystopian city, you are taught to forget all of the life that you had before; you are meant to forget about whatever family you had before the whole world changed. Offred, however, decided that rule is not one she would like to live by. She loves her family and never gave up the dream that they could be safe, and that she may see them again one day. It is shown multiple times throughout the novel that even the smallest things can remind Offred of her daughter. “ I close my eyes, and she's there with me, suddenly, without warning, it must have been the smell of the soap.” (Atwood, 71). In addition…
Speculative Fiction is a term, which categorises a number of sub- genres such as fantasy, science fiction, horror and dystopia. Each of these sub-genres investigates the classic question of “What if?” and uses the imagination as a tool to explore fictional realities.…
Forests always made Modred happy. They gave him a sense of safety, a quiet place to think. He loved the sound of leaves crunching under his boots, and whenever displeased,(which was quite often), he would snap twigs and branches.…
* Top Girls pg 81 Marlene: ‘I just want…’ Marlene cries’’ Act 3 – Marlene and Joyce are arguing about Marlene’s decision to give up Angie.…
As I was reading The Handmaid’s Tale, I had one feeling that remained constant. I hoped that none of this would become a reality for anyone in the future. However, after reflecting on what I’ve read, I’ve found that there are some similarities when comparing the novel with my everyday life. Of course, the events in my everyday life aren’t nearly as bad as the conditions in this dystopia; they are simply traditions and thoughts that remain the same over time. First, I notice that Offred refers to Aunt Lydia and Aunt Elizabeth as “Aunt”. They are not close to Offred’s family nor are they related by blood. This instantly reminds me of my culture and the way I was brought up. For example, when I was younger, when I went to the temple with my parents and they introduced me to someone new, I would always have to call…
Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale, is an eerie example of a “dystopian” novel. A dystopian novel portrays a terrifying picture of a world which makes the reader say, “what if?” Atwood wrote the novel in the 1980’s following the free-spirited, fun-loving period of the 60’s and 70’s. The plot, characters, themes, symbolism and setting of the novel display a picture of what the future world could be like if women’s rights were completely removed.…