The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel written by Margaret Atwood in 1985. It is set in the republic of Gilead which has a highly structured hierarchy and a strict set of rules. The story is narrated by a young handmaid named Offred. Atwood says, “that the novel isn't simply a vehicle for private expression, but that it also exists for social examination.” Which is exactly what the novel serves as when it makes us criticise and reflect on the cracks in our society such as the totalitarian regimes
Words: 909 - Pages: 4
The Handmaid’s Tale: Power and Corruption Governments impose a certain amount of power and control on their citizens in order for societies to function according to plan. In the Handmaid’s Tale, excessive control and power in the Gilead society strips the residents of their freedom, forbidding them to live ordinary lives. Men abuse their control and power over women in order to satisfy their personal needs and women are persecuted to the point of corruption. The Handmaids suffer the most due
Words: 887 - Pages: 4
The handmaid’s tale rough draft paragraph • Margret Atwood in the novel the Handmaid’s tale uses language to make the reader follow and understand the multiple themes that are portrayed in the story such as oppression, representation of power and identity. • To start off with, The Prayer Reading machine in the novel that is present in the society of Gield, symbolizes education and knowledge in which speeches and form of communication are restricted. These things are restricted because of The Republic
Words: 481 - Pages: 2
ultimate goal. An increase in birth rates is the only important matter to the government. This objective is so important that it is the only purpose of a Handmaid. Handmaids have lost all control over their lives, from their bank accounts to their jobs at home and work. All of the control lies in the hand of the Eyes of God. Women that have become Handmaids have no choice whether or not they want children; they are present solely for the purpose of reproduction. If a woman does birth a child, she is only
Words: 1163 - Pages: 5
In the novel A Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood uses different descriptions of Offred’s room to illustrate the government’s control over her and her role in the society. She uses the room to allude to her situation almost because she is unable to explicitly state her discontent with her current conditions. Firstly, the author uses many similes, symbols and short sentence structures to emphasise the oppression and the totality of the control that the government has over Offred. She uses different
Words: 325 - Pages: 2
‘The Handmaids Tale is a feminist novel’ In the framework of a dystopian novel, Margaret Atwood creates a society that bereaves women of their identity and individuality by allowing them none other than their gift of bearing children. The novel explores the religious objectification of women that they should use only their physical bodies to procreate, and if this isn’t possible, the women are useless and therefore sent to the ‘colonies’. Margaret Atwood uses strong female characters as a
Words: 257 - Pages: 2
A heroine, a woman who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities, this is according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Offred is presented as our protagonist in The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Atwood presents Offred as a air head who goes through the motions. No where close to what we consider our typical literary heroine. Throughout the story she seems to space out and not understand her situation very well. However, if Atwood were to try and portray her as what we consider a typical
Words: 680 - Pages: 3
David Miller Professor Johnson 2/22/13 ENGH 201-009 A Handmaids Tale- page 39-40 In this passage, Atwood explains how Offred is sitting in her room (as per usual) and thinking about her former life. Offred explains that she has forgotten a large portion of time, which she believes to be faulted by the government. It is also explained that the authorities had forced her to either take a pill, or have some sort of injection, which acted as a catalyst for her not remembering certain portions
Words: 770 - Pages: 4
How far is language a tool of oppression in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and ‘Nineteen Eighty Four’? Most dystopian novels contain themes of corruption and oppression, therefore in both ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and ‘Nineteen Eighty Four’ language is obviously used as a form of the states control, enabling dystopian leaders to remain in power by manipulating language to restrict free thought. Orwell and Atwood have utilized language as a key tool of oppression throughout their novels. The use of language is
Words: 2089 - Pages: 9
IB LA HL Allee Devault Handmaids Tale Imagery Essay December 8, 2011 Imagery and how it relates to characters inner feelings in Margret Atwood’s Handmaids Tale The use of imagery is a staple in every novel; it gives a much needed visual connection with the themes stated in the novel. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood demonstrates the use of imagery to further solidify the reader’s comprehension of the tense relationship between the characters, Serena
Words: 1057 - Pages: 5
