Handmaid's Tale: Total Control Over The People
The Handmaid's Tale Paper
1. “Novels are not slogans. If I wanted to say just one thing I would hire a billboard. If I wanted to say just one thing to one person, I would write a letter. Novels are something else. They aren't just political messages. I'm sure we all know this, but when it's a book like this you have to keep on saying it. [The Handmaid's Tale] is an examination of character under certain circumstances, among other things. It's not a matter of men against women. That happens to be in the book because I think if it were going to happen in the United States, that's the form it would take. But it's a study of power, and how it operates and how it deforms or shapes the people who are living within that kind of regime.” –Margaret Atwood
Write a paper in which you explore how the Gilead regime maintains power over members of its society. Choose three of its methods and evaluate how each one functions, showing how it “deforms” or “shapes” a particular member (or members) of the society in the process.
2. The Handmaid's Tale has been referred to as a “scathing satire” and “a dire warning.” Which elements in our society is Atwood satirizing (mocking/critiquing)? What is she warning us about? How does she force us to consider her warning?
3. At one level, The Handmaid's Tale is about the importance of language and the writing process. Atwood cleverly weaves this sub-plot into a major focus with remarks by Offred such as "Context is all," and "I've filled it out for her...," "I made that up," and "I wish this story were different." An educated woman in a world where literacy is forbidden women, Offred delights in wordplay and in talking about the process of her own storytelling. Write an essay in which you discuss Atwood's ideas about language and narration, focusing on how her techniques enliven our sense of Offred as a character.
A successful essay will: quote from the novel in support of your argument; contain a clear thesis and organizational plan; attend to the rules of grammar and mechanics; show evidence of close reading of the novel; and demonstrate insight into Atwood's messages and techniques
Professor’s Name:
Course:
Date:
Handmaid's Tale
In any totalitarian society, the powers that be often try to impose themselves on their subjects. This is normally done to maintain the status quo and to squash any hopes or thoughts of a revolution. The Gilead regime was almost perfect and seemed to have total control over the people. It was difficult to see any loopholes which the dissatisfied lot could exploit and forge a resistance. By keeping the people occupied and in a cycle of frustrations, the regime successfully maintained power over the members of the society. However, for the system to be successful, there were certain methods the regime used, and these near-perfect methods helped the regime to prevail. Examples of these methods include the use of fear, indoctrination, and women subordination. These methods, among others, were used precisely to break the people’s spirits and indeed they were successful.
Fear can be an effective weapon if used correctly and in the Gilead regime, it was one of the most rewarding methods of control. Using fear to control does not necessarily mean threatening people. In Gilead, for example, people were hanged and left to rot, and such scenes helped to impart fear in others who would have any thoughts of resisting the regime. Offred had her ideas in mind, but at one instance, Aunt Lidia tells her: “This may not seem ordinary to you now, but after a time it will” (Chapter 6). These words were in regard to the hanged bodies, and while it seemed unusual to Offred, Aunt Lydia knew that with time, Offred would also conform and accept the status quo.
Aside from fear, the regime used indoctrination to maintain control over their subjects. Offred was open-minded, but she chose to keep to herself lest she becomes or be used as an example. However, in Chapter 5, she is seen arguing with Aunt Lydia who says, “There is more than one kind of freedom, said Aunt Lydia. Freedom to and Freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don’t underrate it.” While this warning was appropriate, it also helped to showcase how effective indoctrination was. To Aunt Lydia, it is best not to ask questions or question the regime or even have a different perspective to life because things can always get worse.
Finally, women subordination was also used to greater success in the Gilead regime. Women in Gilead were not esteemed, and like Offred, they were only used for reproduction. By instilling such beliefs in the minds of people, the regime managed to grasp control of people’s minds and hence the success of their government.
There are different elements in the society which can be described as ill-fitting. For example, today, people are in different social classes and therefore, find themselves interacting with people from the same class. Few tend to notice how the social strata limit the world and hinder the flow of ideas. In each stratum, people admire, think, and do different things. Atwood is quite observant, and this kin...