To end our unit of reading novels on Utopian societies The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood went out with a bang. This novel is focused on extremes of the literal interpretation of the Bible. The main character, a handmaid named Offred is forced to live in a society where social commentary is clear, the government has been overthrown, and confusion is amongst many.
Offred lives in a world where human production is lacking immensely. Coming from being a woman from a “regular” family/life style she is chosen to be a Handmaid. Her duty is to have sexual intercourse with her Commander hoping to produce a child. Under these circumstances Offred and her Commander are not allowed to converse in any way except for the Ceremony in which the Commander’s wife is present as well. There is no kissing amongst Offred and her Commander; there is no love, no passion or feeling. In this society the people have been stripped of their feelings and beliefs, and are now numb to any sensitivity. The entire novel is a vivid journey on Offred’s challenge to rising to the expectations of her society.
I think the scrabble game played by the Commander and Offred is a symbol of hope. The Commander invites Offred to his study at night, while everyone is sleeping. Offred is skeptical about this due to the fact that it is unheard of to be alone with the Commander under such circumstances. She is assuming he wants some sort of sexual duty from her. When the Commander welcomes Offred into his room and pulls out the scrabble board she is relieved, yet questioning what is actually going on. While playing, both exchange glances and without speaking, they are communicating. Offred spells out different words that have meaning, such as larynx, valance, quince, and quandary. Coincidentally after looking up the definitions to the words, they are coming from Offred's heart, telling her story to the Commander, in an unspoken way. I think both are feeling a sense of hope in this scene. Offred feels as though her and the Commander are bonding in a way that they both have had past experiences in which they miss and are both forced to endure what has changed. They conclude the night with a kiss, however it is clear to see that the scrabble game was more sensual than the kiss. They both leave the night feeling a sense of remembrance and hope.
My favorite passage from the novel is on page 121, a scene that depicts the feminist theory. “A man is just a woman’s strategy for making other women.” Offred's mother is the main character in the story who shows feminism traits. Her mother was demanding and independent, both things that have been now taken away from women. Along with feminism, the abortion topic comes into play as well. When she got pregnant and told her friends that she was going to keep the baby, they all shied away from her. Offred's mother has many negative things to say about men and isn't afraid to say what's on her mind. A recollection of the past brings us to a park scene where Offred and a group of feminists are burning pornographic magazines. It describes this scene as somewhat of a chanting religious ceremony. I think that the way Atwood portrays feminists is brilliant with her use of characterization, symbolism, vivid details and interpretations.
This book was definitely my favorite out of the many books we've read so far. I thought that the subject matter, and the society itself grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I enjoyed the fact that it left you thinking after reading every sentence. I however, believe that Offred found what she was looking for in Nick, i think that even only having him for a period of time set her free in a way and allowed her to escape. I think in the end Offred does find happiness and does "step up in to the light".
Offred lives in a world where human production is lacking immensely. Coming from being a woman from a “regular” family/life style she is chosen to be a Handmaid. Her duty is to have sexual intercourse with her Commander hoping to produce a child. Under these circumstances Offred and her Commander are not allowed to converse in any way except for the Ceremony in which the Commander’s wife is present as well. There is no kissing amongst Offred and her Commander; there is no love, no passion or feeling. In this society the people have been stripped of their feelings and beliefs, and are now numb to any sensitivity. The entire novel is a vivid journey on Offred’s challenge to rising to the expectations of her society.
I think the scrabble game played by the Commander and Offred is a symbol of hope. The Commander invites Offred to his study at night, while everyone is sleeping. Offred is skeptical about this due to the fact that it is unheard of to be alone with the Commander under such circumstances. She is assuming he wants some sort of sexual duty from her. When the Commander welcomes Offred into his room and pulls out the scrabble board she is relieved, yet questioning what is actually going on. While playing, both exchange glances and without speaking, they are communicating. Offred spells out different words that have meaning, such as larynx, valance, quince, and quandary. Coincidentally after looking up the definitions to the words, they are coming from Offred's heart, telling her story to the Commander, in an unspoken way. I think both are feeling a sense of hope in this scene. Offred feels as though her and the Commander are bonding in a way that they both have had past experiences in which they miss and are both forced to endure what has changed. They conclude the night with a kiss, however it is clear to see that the scrabble game was more sensual than the kiss. They both leave the night feeling a sense of remembrance and hope.
My favorite passage from the novel is on page 121, a scene that depicts the feminist theory. “A man is just a woman’s strategy for making other women.” Offred's mother is the main character in the story who shows feminism traits. Her mother was demanding and independent, both things that have been now taken away from women. Along with feminism, the abortion topic comes into play as well. When she got pregnant and told her friends that she was going to keep the baby, they all shied away from her. Offred's mother has many negative things to say about men and isn't afraid to say what's on her mind. A recollection of the past brings us to a park scene where Offred and a group of feminists are burning pornographic magazines. It describes this scene as somewhat of a chanting religious ceremony. I think that the way Atwood portrays feminists is brilliant with her use of characterization, symbolism, vivid details and interpretations.
This book was definitely my favorite out of the many books we've read so far. I thought that the subject matter, and the society itself grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I enjoyed the fact that it left you thinking after reading every sentence. I however, believe that Offred found what she was looking for in Nick, i think that even only having him for a period of time set her free in a way and allowed her to escape. I think in the end Offred does find happiness and does "step up in to the light".
It is strange how much the woman’s role in society has been twisted but in an eerie way has not changed. Earlier the women were fighting for their rights and to be looked upon as more then just bodies. They denounced pornography and they rallied against rape and other sexual crimes. Unfortunately, these cries were answered in quite a warped manner. The feminists and religious leaders and followers, such as Serena Joy, got their wish but it was never what they expected. This society is full of dark irony and paranoia. Women are supposedly cherished and respected, but they are still seen only for their bodies, specifically their reproductive organs. But the sexual crimes against them have not ceased. In fact these crimes have grown and are now tolerated and considered the moral thing to do. Handmaid’s either have children or die, and the other women of the society are given different roles to play. The stereotypical woman’s place in society, the stay home mother who cleans the house and buys the groceries, has not changed. But this role has been split up; some women reproduce, others take care of the children, and still others clean and cook. Women are still women, they have just been crumbled into parts.
ReplyDeleteThe ceremony was a very odd scene, and obviously uncomfortable for everyone. Love no longer existed and all signs of affection or even pretend romance were prohibited. The people were to do as their role required them; the punishment if they went against their role could be as severe as death. The acts committed were not based on love or feeling, it was better if people tried to ignore these basic human qualities at all. The ceremony showed how cold and unfeeling this society was. It was supposed to be based off of the love and faith of the Bible. Unfortunately, the people of this society were filled with misery and fear, and were forced to harbor their lusts and hopes away in the back pockets of their soul.