Skip to main content

The Handmaid's Tale Post 2

These first few chapters of The Handmaid’s 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? 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The poetry of Hsieh T'iao

The poetry of  Hsieh T'iao Contemplating the Capital from the Three Mountains in the Sunset Hsieh T'iao From Pa Szu I contemplate Ch'ang An, From the south I look toward the capital. Embellished by the sun, The pointed roofs appear to me ondule. The red clouds spread themselves like pieces of embroideries, The limpid river is smooth like white silk. The spring islets are covered with twittering birds, The parks are adorned with variegated flowers. While setting out I was already reluctant, Nostalgically I now think of the joyous feasting. When is a reunion expected? My tears fall like rain. Fondly I turn my eyes to my native land, Who can prevent his hair from turning gray? This poem by  Hsieh T'iao describes the place he grew up in Taiwan. I thought this poem was really interesting since from the beginning it's extremely idyllic. He describes Taiwan as this peaceful place almost separate from the rest of the world and its chaos. From the poem, ...
Post a Comment
Read more