The Effects of Objectification of the Human Body in Margaret Atwood’s “the Handmaid’s Tale” and Nalo Hopkinson’s “a Habit of Waste”
Kylie Greenham
March 29, 2012
In recent history, there have been many cases of rape all over the world that have been sparking public outrage, not only because of the perverse acts but also for the way that society has responded to these attacks. The Steubenville, Ohio case is one account, where a sixteen year old girl was raped by two high school football players. Instead of focusing on the tragedy of the rape, the public and the media chose to speak about the two rapists - the boys - and how their promising football careers were over. It was suggested that the girl was at fault for being drunk, and that she was known for lying in the past, and could possibly be lying about the case (Poladian, 1). This is only one example of the objectification of women that is occurring in society today. Though the world has only recently taken a stronger stance surrounding the objectification of the human body, there are many authors that have been expressing their opinions about the issue for quite some time. Through their writing, these authors delve into details about the objectification of the body and the affects it has, or could have, on individuals and groups within a society. Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and Nalo Hopkinson’s “A Habit of Waste” are both set in futuristic societies where the human body is aestheticized for a means of perceived control. This control is exercised through the demonstration of social status, political influence, and individual power in both stories. The Republic of Gilead in “The Handmaid’s Tale” is a society where the functions of men and women are highly controlled. Men are ranked based on their age, importance, and loyalty to the new government. The two main roles are the Guardians, who enforce the rules and keep the peace, and the Commanders, who are higher-ranked men who do their individual duties in the war, and are each given a women with which to breed, in addition to their wife. Women’s ranks are based
March 29, 2012
In recent history, there have been many cases of rape all over the world that have been sparking public outrage, not only because of the perverse acts but also for the way that society has responded to these attacks. The Steubenville, Ohio case is one account, where a sixteen year old girl was raped by two high school football players. Instead of focusing on the tragedy of the rape, the public and the media chose to speak about the two rapists - the boys - and how their promising football careers were over. It was suggested that the girl was at fault for being drunk, and that she was known for lying in the past, and could possibly be lying about the case (Poladian, 1). This is only one example of the objectification of women that is occurring in society today. Though the world has only recently taken a stronger stance surrounding the objectification of the human body, there are many authors that have been expressing their opinions about the issue for quite some time. Through their writing, these authors delve into details about the objectification of the body and the affects it has, or could have, on individuals and groups within a society. Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and Nalo Hopkinson’s “A Habit of Waste” are both set in futuristic societies where the human body is aestheticized for a means of perceived control. This control is exercised through the demonstration of social status, political influence, and individual power in both stories. The Republic of Gilead in “The Handmaid’s Tale” is a society where the functions of men and women are highly controlled. Men are ranked based on their age, importance, and loyalty to the new government. The two main roles are the Guardians, who enforce the rules and keep the peace, and the Commanders, who are higher-ranked men who do their individual duties in the war, and are each given a women with which to breed, in addition to their wife. Women’s ranks are based
Cited: Atwood, Margaret. “The Handmaid’s Tale”. USA: Seal Books, 1985. Hopkinson, nalo. “A Habit of Waste.” In Making a Difference. 2nd edition. Ed. Smaro Kamboureli. Toronto: Oxford, 2007. 362-372. Poladian, Charles. “Steubenville’s Former NAACP President Says Rape Victim Was Drunk and Willing.” International Business Times, March 28, 2013. Web. Accessed March 28, 2013.