What Is The Inequality In The Handmaid's Tale

In The Handmaid’s Tale, the binary opposites of man/woman or, equally, power/fear exist. The dynamics of power exist along a hierarchy with men primarily at the top. Women are typically below the men in power, except for a select few who traded in their power for loyalty to the cause. Power becomes relative and subjective based on the binary relationship of power with that of fear. Specifically, the Commander illicitly invites Offred to his office after hours where he tempts her with his collection of contraband magazines, which had long been banned in Gilead and would lead to severe punishment or death if discovered. In doing so, he is nonchalantly boasting on the extent of his power. In essence, he is showcasing that with his power he can have a room filled with illicit materials. Simultaneously, though, he is reminding Offred of her complete lack of power. He can offer her so much, but only if she complies with his wishes. In his

In today’s news we see many disruptions and inconsistencies in society, and, according to Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, humankind might be headed in that direction. The deterioration of society is a concept often explored biologically in novels, but less common, is the effect on everyday social constructs such as the position of women as a item that can be distributed and traded-in for a ‘better’ product. The Handmaid’s Tale elaborates the concept that, as societal discrimination towards women intensifies, gender equality deteriorates and certain aspects of societal freedoms are lost. Offred’s experience with serving Gilead demonstrates a victim’s perspective and shows how the occurring changes develope the Republic.

In Margaret Atwood’s, The Handmaid’s Tale she explores the concept of a not-so-distant future where toxic chemicals and abuses to the body have left many men and women alike sterile. The main character, Offred, gives the reader a first person account about her submissive life as a handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. A republic that was formed after a coup against the U.S. government. She and her fellow handmaids are fertile women that the commanders of Gilead ‘enslave’ to ensure their power and to repopulate their ‘society’. While the laws that govern the people of Gilead seem outlandish and oppressive, they are merely

Imagine a world where it is no longer possible to procreate, imagine living each day with the realization that the demise of humanity is soon approaching. This horrifying possibility becomes a reality within the dystopian worlds found in the novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and the film Children of Men directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Despite the outward differences in their societies, both The Handmaid’s Tale and Children of Men portray an infertility epidemic as the cause for the collapse of civilization. A decline in birth rates in Gilead from The Handmaid’s Tale and the United Kingdom in Children of Men lead the two nations to become xenophobic. The infertility prompts a war for resources which results in the nations development

The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood describes the story of Offred, a Handmaid, that is a woman ascribed a breeding function by society, and who is placed with a husband and wife higher up the social ladder who need a child. Through Offred's eyes we explore the rigidity of the theocracy in which she lives, the contradictions in the society they have created, and her attempts to find solace through otherwise trivial things. The heroine is never identified except as Offred, the property of her current Commander, she was a modern woman: college-educated, a wife and a mother when she lost all that due to the change in her society. The novel can be viewed from one perspective as being a feminist depiction of the suppression of a woman, from another

Within the totalitarian society created by Margaret Atwood in the Handmaid’s Tale, there are many people and regimes centred around and reliant on the manipulation of power. The laws that are in place in the republic of Gilead are designed and implemented so as to control and restrict the rights and freedom of its inhabitants.

Oppression is defined as “the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner” (Dictionary.com) and norm is defined as “a standard, model, or pattern.” (Dictionary.com) It is when the two are merged that it is a problem. Consequently this can be seen in the Handmaid’s Tale where the new laws of Gilead are oppressing women but they are taking it as if it is a norm and that it is the way that they are supposed to be treated. Much before they are sent to their placements the Handmaids are transitioning psychologically in to believing that what is being done is right, the Handmaids were basically being brainwashed.

Women have always been at a disadvantage to men. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, shows this struggle for equality. Women are stripped of all power and freedom. They are controlled and don’t have any say in what happens to them. It brings to light a situation that seems to be a figment of imagination but in reality it’s something that is totally possible.

As we have seen in previous generations and still now in some places around the world, women are being and have been oppressed. The way they are oppressed is by the way they are being controlled. Not only are they controlled in one way, but rather in many different ways. We can relate this situation to the novel called The Handmaid's Tale written by Margaret Atwood. The women in the novel, including the narrator, were oppressed and controlled harshly.

Imagine a country where choice is not a choice.  One is labeled by their age and economical status.  The deep red cloaks, the blue embroidered dresses, and the pinstriped attire are all uniforms to define a person's standing in society.  To be judged, not by beauty or personality or talents, but by the ability to procreate instead. To not believe in the Puritan religion is certain death.  To read or write is to die.  This definition is found to be true in the book, The Handmaid's Tale (1986) by Margaret Atwood.  It is a heartbreaking story of one young woman and her transformation into the Gilead society, the society described above. In the book, we meet Offred, the narrator of the story.  This

Bruno Bettelheim once said, “Punishment may make us obey the orders we are given, but at best it will only teach an obedience to authority, not a self-control which enhances our self-respect.” More often than not, those surrounded by rules feel pressured to adhere to them due to the fear of repercussions. Even so, it is not guaranteed people will comply. Sometimes, being bound by rules can only make one feel rebellious. This proves to be true in Margaret Atwood’s speculative fiction novel, The Handmaid's Tale. Through characterization, flashbacks, and point of view, Atwood demonstrates how strict rules lead to the temptation for defiance, despite the possible consequences.

Lack of Difference from Women in The Handmaid’s Tale and Women in Modern Day Society

Books that are banned or challenged often have controversial topics but many don't consider the positive effects of these books. The Handmaid's Tale is an example of this because despite including uncomfortable topics, it also offers meaningful themes and ideas.

During our third lit circle, we discussed and talked about the distribution of power in the book. We concluded that the most important theme that we previously missed is about the distribution and manipulation of power. In the book, all the power in manipulated and controlled solely by a dictator, the commander. According to the perspective of citizens in the book, there are no preventions against poverty and no possible ways to legally protect yourself from the government. It is obvious to observe the power being distributed. For example, in Gilead, the government are forced to cover the streets and homes with heavy security guards and guns. Even though Gilead is very successful at placing orders, but any significant power taken from people

When describing the newly established society in The Handmaid’s Tale, the Commander states that “better never means better for everyone [...] it always means worse, for some” (Atwood, 244). This accurately describes the nature of patriarchal societies, such as the society that is described by Margaret Atwood in The Handmaid’s Tale. The Republic of Gilead is a patriarchal society that has religious, and patriarchal values that benefit the men in the society, at the expenses of the women of the society. Atwood also develops the oppressive nature of the society through the use of her stylistic choices throughout the novel. Finally, Offred’s experiences in her past life, and her