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The Handmaid's Tale Post 1

 These first few chapters of The Handmaidens Tale were honestly a bit confusing for me. From the flashbacks of Offred's past life to Offred trying to adjust to her new life, I wasn't always sure where Offred was and what she was thinking. Although, one thing I believe Margaret Atwood does extremely well is painting a picture of this totalitarian society. The biggest point that Atwood emphasizes with Gilead is that women are viewed as property of the state. This society is also obsessed with fertility and Atwood shows this in many ways. Firstly, with the role of the handmaidens who are deemed as valuable to society solely because they are able to bear children. Another way this is shown is when Offred is walking through the street and sees one of the past handmaidens gloating about her pregnancy, and how it is almost deemed as impolite to gloat in front of women who are barren or not pregnant. There was also the procession of women who had a miscarriage or lost their baby over childbirth. The women were holding their lost children, and everyone on the street had to stop and acknowledge them, even bowing their heads in mourning. 

What do you think about Gilead and how it is run? From Offred's flashbacks to her current life how do you think this society was created?

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