GENDER STUDIES / ADVANCED AMERICAN LITERARURE
THE
HANDMAID’S TALE BLOG
Directions: Choose any two (2) of the following 12 quotations from Margaret Atwood’s The
Handmaid’s Tale and:
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Devote
one (1) paragraph to a response to each. You may focus on any aspect of the course you
wish – any of the “evil-ations”, the motif of betrayal, the emerging of the female
voice, etc.
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In
particular, comment on the degree to which each shows the strength of Offred’s
survivor’s spirit.
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Then,
read the commentary of your fellow-Gender Studies and respond to any two (2) comments posted by your fellow pioneers regarding quotes other than the two you have selected, thus
engaging in virtual conversation.
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Enjoy
the magic of watching the blog grow before your eyes!
1. “Fraternize
means to behave like a brother. Luke
told me that. He said there was no
corresponding word that means to behave
like a sister. Sororize, it would
have to be. He said. From the
Latin. He liked knowing about such
details. The derivations of words,
curious usages. I used to tease him
about being pedantic.” (Chapter 2)
2. “This is the heart
of Gilead, where the war cannot intrude except on television. Where the edges are we aren’t sure, they
vary, according to the attacks and counterattacks; but this is the center,
where nothing moves. The Republic of
Gilead, aid Aunt Lydia, knows no bounds.
Gilead is within “ (Chapter 5)
3. “It’s not the
husbands you have to watch out for, said Aunt Lydia, it’s the Wives. You must always try to imagine what they must
be feeling. Of course they will resent
you. It is only natural. Try to feel for them . . . Try to pity
them. Forgive them for they know not
what they do . . . You must realize that they are defeated women. They have been unable – Here her voice broke
off.” (Chapter 8)
4. “I am like a child
here, there are some things I must not be told.
What you don’t know won’t hurt you, was all she (Rita) would say.” (Chapter 9)
5. “I cannot avoid
seeing, now, the small tattoo on my ankle.
Four digits and an eye, a passport in reverse. It’s supposed to guarantee that I will never
be able to fade, finally, into another landscape. I am too important, too scarce, for
that. I am a national resource.” (Chapter 12)
6. “My name isn’t
Offred. I have another name, which
nobody uses now because it’s forbidden.
I tell myself it doesn’t matter, your name is like your telephone
number, useful only to others; but what I tell myself is wrong, it does
matter. I keep the knowledge of this
name like something hidden, some treasure I’ll come up to dig up, one day. I think of this name as buried. This name has an aura around it, like an
amulet, some charm that’s survived from an unimaginably distant past.” (Chapter 14)
7. “A thing is
valued, she (Aunt Lydia) says, only if it is rare and hard to get. We want you to be valued, girls, She is rich
in pauses, which she savors, in her mouth.
Think of yourselves as pearls.
We, sitting in our rows, eyes down, we make her salivate morally. We are hers to define, we must suffer her
adjectives . . . I think about pearls.
Pearls are congealed oyster spit.”
(Chapter 19)
8. “There is
something subversive about this garden of Serena’s, a sense of buried things
bursting upwards, wordlessly, into the light, as if to point to say: Whatever is silenced will clamor to be heard,
though silently.” (Chapter 25)
9. “What the Commander
aid is true. One and one and one and one
doesn’t equal four. Each one remains
unique, there is no way of joining them together. They cannot be exchanged, one for the
other. They cannot replace each
other. Nick for Luke or Luke for
Nick. Should does not apply.”
Chapter 30)
10. “The moment of
betrayal is the worst, the moment that you know beyond any doubt that you’ve
been betrayed: that some other human
being has wished you that much evil . . . It was like being in an elevator cut
loose at the top. Falling, falling, and
not knowing when you will hit. (Chapter
30)
11. “There is
something powerful in the whispering of obscenities, about those in power. There’s something delightful about it,
something naughty, secretive, forbidden, thrilling. It’s like a spell of sorts. It deflates them, reduces them to the common
denominator where they can be dealt with . . . It was like a flag waved from a
hilltop in rebellion.” (Chapter34)
12. “You’ll have to
forgive me. I’m a refugee from the past,
and like other refugees, I go over the customs and habits of being I’ve left or
been forced to leave behind me, and it all seems just as quaint, from here, and
I am just as obsessive about it. Like a
White Russian drinking tea in Paris, marooned in the twentieth century, I
wander back, try to regain those distant pathways; I become too maudlin, lose
myself. Weep. Weeping is what it is, not crying. I sit in this chair and ooze like a
sponge.” (Chapter 35)
This is a test!
ReplyDeleteThe first quote speaks to the gender inequality that exists in the novel. In a very simple and seemingly inconsequential way women are being put down. The sister relationship is being undermined. There is no proper word to describe this relationship, yet the brother relationship has its own word. Obviously Gilead is a society that is very oppresive to women, but this quote comes from Offred's former life in the United States. Even a small seed like this one can help the founders of Gilead form their society. Women were not apreciating the sacrifices that generations before them had made to obtain the status they had, and they were not recognizing the inequality that still existed. In this way, women were assisting the commanders in their design of a society that oppresses women.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your ideas, Maggie. I also think that women's apathy towards feminism and the struggle of women before them to achieve a sense of equality allowed for Gilead to come into existence. I think that through her novel, Atwood warns women to keep fighting for equality where it does not exist, because it can easily be taken away. If only the women in the United States questioned what was happening and challenged those who took away their rights, Gilead never would have been formed. I think that the lack of a word for these "sister relationships" symbolizes the lack of sororal solidarity in the work. Through this line, Atwood stresses the importance of women assisting fellow women in their fight for equality with men.
DeleteI agree with Maggie and Danielle. From the beginning of language, women have been put down. Now, in this future society women are once again deemed unimportant. These women really are not appreciated the efforts of women in the past to create equality. Now, in this society of Gilead all of women's efforts have been erased because the women who are actually leaders in the community have the job of forcing other women into objectification. There is definitely a lack of sororal solidarity, as Danielle said. It seems like these aunts have these horrible roles where they are constantly objectifying other women because they are too afraid to fall into the lower areas of society. These women are not assisting other women because in this society the repercussions almost make the risk not worth it. Yet Offred realizes that anything is better than the position she has in Gilead and that is what helps her to survive.
DeleteI totally agree with your ideas Maggie! Also, as Danielle and Claire both said Atwood depicts the women in the novel as ungrateful for all the effort and difficulties that their fellow sisters went through and experienced, generations before them, just to achieve equality for women of the future. Women should continue to defend and fight for their equality because even within seconds it can disappear and it is a right that should never be taken for granted. In this futuristic society all of the advancements and rights women had worked for and deserved were stripped from them from governmental officials and other males in control. In this society, it is almost as if instead of making further advancements, they have gone backwards, creating a society that is worse than it has ever been before. In this society women are being both subjugated and objectified, by not only men but also other women. This society is one that is completely centralized around the males and what is necessary to better themselves and their lifestyles. Women should be coming together to fight this injustice not work against one another. Offred’s awareness to the fact that her lifestyle cannot get any worse and can only get better is what keeps her strong in these dark times and helps her to continue to live.
DeleteOffred suffers from commodification, objectification, and subjugation but never fails to withstand the pain and torment she experiences as a handmaid. In my opinion, the eleventh quote evinces the true nature of Offred survivor’s spirit because it depicts her nonconformity and desire to be free. Throughout the novel, Offred is tortured by the loss of her family, humiliated as a sex slave, and stripped of all of her rights. It appears that she has lost a sense of control over her life but, in her small acts of defiance, she proves her power over authority and her strong, emerging female voice. Rather than be forced into silence and submission, Offred rebels against her expected reticence and whispers profanities about the leaders in Gilead. She refuses to accede to her oppression and speaks against the injustice in her community, knowing that she could be severely punished for provoking insubordination. Offred recognizes that attaining justice for herself and all women is more important than being accepted in her society. She rejects her role as a handmaid and proves that she will not conform but survive slavery to achieve freedom once again. She is enchanted and thrilled to speak her mind, realizing the power in one’s voice. Rebellion does not scare Offred but it motivates her to survive. With every moment she takes power away from the men of Gilead, she gets stronger and becomes more empowered. In this quote, the author also stresses that Offred values the American principle of freedom as she ravishes in waving a flag, a nation symbol. Much like waving a flag in victory after fighting a battle, Offred evinces that she will reign victorious in her rebellion against the omnipotent leaders. She envisions her survival and each act of defiance brings her one step closer to attaining freedom.
ReplyDeleteI agree Sam; this quote shows Offred’s desire to go back to the way things were before Gilead was born. She wants to speak and she wants to speak defiantly about others (especially those who have the most power), and both of these are forbidden. Offred is not worried about the consequences anymore she just wants to obtain control in her life, and to be her own person. This shows her want for survival and her desire to keep moving forward, even though it is extremely difficult. Offred uses the word “powerful” when talking about whispering because she has realized that a person’s voice can make a difference, and without it a person is powerless. She uses the word “common denominator” as an example of ordinary, but it also shows her intelligence since that is a mathematical term. Offred is striving to gain power in her life by talking and thinking, both things that women were not allowed to take part in in Gilead. Offred is rebellious and does not want to be a part of this society anymore that treats women as if they are objects.
DeleteGreat relation to the quote, Sam! As Alana said, Offred wants to revert back to her old lifestyle where everyone was equal and could speak to each other as such. The fact that she is forbidden to speak to those in power shows just how backwards American society has become, ultimately transforming into Gilead. Offred is proving that she, regardless of status, will not be silenced. Her rebellion represents the ways of the past, a time of equality. She is adamant about surviving and refuses to become what society dictates her to be, which is a silent sex slave. Speaking to a person in power transforms him into a "common denominator," showing just how important human interaction and communication is to the establishment of equality; a world full of "common denominator[s]" does not contain any superior factors or any inequalities because everyone is "common" and therefore cannot be extraordinary by nature. Human interaction and communication requires voice; being kept silent not only oppresses one part of society, but holds back the progression of society as a whole. Offred will rebel silently, but refuses to be kept completely silent.
DeleteGina Spohr
I analyzed the fourth quote. An example of infantilization is when she states, “I am like a child here”. She has been to degraded to a child who has no say in his or her life. Offred has no say in her life; she is not able to do what she wants, talk, read, and many other things. Offred also has no control over her own destiny; others have control of that like the Commander. Her voice is stifled because she states, “ there are some things I must not be told”, how is she supposed to have a voice, when she is not able to even hear what is being said in the house she lives in. However we see that through this quote that she is talking to Rita, which shows that Offred is able to talk at sometimes, if it is the right person. Rita shows her respect with her answer and makes Offred probably feel a little better. This quote shows that Offred is determined to survive; she yearns to be told the things that she is forbidden to know. This shows that she is curious and wants to someday have control over own life again.
ReplyDeleteGreat insight Alanna! Offred is infantilized in the novel whether or not she wants to be. The society of Gilead treats her like a child because its leaders do not want to empower the female voice or stimulate the female mind. Like you mentioned, however, Offred is indeed carrying on conversations and voicing her opinions to people, defying the rules and regulations of the time. She states that she "must not be told" and I believe she says these words in an almost condescending tone, mocking the leaders who are trying to parent fully grown women. The phrasing of this quote also leads me to believe that Offred questioned Rita about the dissemination of information to the handmaids. This shows that Offred will not stop pushing the values and ideals that Gilead imposes on the women because she recognizes injustice. She does not lose the curiosity ingrained in her old self but maintains her identity in hopes of surviving.
DeleteI agree with your ideas Alanna. I think that Offred sees the society as Gilead as being restraining to both herself and the other women who live there. Offred has almost tricked herself into believing that she deserves to be infantilized, which you can see by the fact that she says "there are some things I must not be told." This is an upsetting situation because it shows how Gilead has managed to almost brainwash citizens such as Offred into believing that they deserve to be infantilized and treated as less. However, I think that this analysis can also be taken in a sarcastic manner, as Sam was saying. It is possible that Offred is speaking this dialogue and appearing submissive as a way to rebel against the system.
DeleteI agree with you, Alanna. There is infantilization present in that quote. Offred is clearly stating that she is “a child here”. When I read this quote I sense that Offred is claiming that she is a child when she is in the Commander`s house. So, she has no voice when she is there, but it also shows hope that Offred does have a voice outside of the Commander`s home. Offred is able to talk, but only to certain people, like Rita who is Offred`s dearest friend. This shows that even though her voice is limited in the Commander`s household, she is able to find a way to use her voice outside of his household. Also Offred is not told certain things. This would make anyone curious and want to know the things that are forbidden for her to know. So, this quotes demonstrates how she is being control by society and the commander by limiting her voice. However, Offred is determined to use her voice and gain back control of her own life.
DeleteAlanna, I totally agree with your thoughts of infantilization! Offred clearly is being treated as a child that is lacking a voice in society. She is not able to express herself and her feelings in Gilead, and like a child, is always given orders and instructions. A child always has a parent telling him or her what to do. Offred is so similar to a child here because she is constantly on a strict regiment with no freedom. A child also yearns to rebel, and Offred rebels against Gilead by thinking and reasoning that Gilead is corrupt. She constantly holds little conversations with people, (which is not allowed) stimulating the mind of others and her own.
DeleteNice thoughts, Alanna! The quote is relatable to the popular saying “Ignorance is bliss”. Offred’s womanhood has been stripped from her and now she is treated just like a little girl. Secrets are kept from her and she is taught that she should not question the things that are going on. Society is telling her that she is not smart enough to make educated thoughts or even think about anything other then reproduce. For example, the government of Gilead has decided that women should no longer be burdened with having to read. Women are so infantilized to the point where they must do grocery shopping with pictures instead of real words. Men have ignored Offred’s womanhood and her education has been replaced by childlike depictions of the world around her. It is ironic because the more she does not know about this new society; the more she is hurting her own thoughts and ideas.
DeleteRebeca Hoey
The eighth quote really stuck out to me as showing the desire of women to be heard and the power that they do have; they strive to reach that light of societal respect and equality, but the oppression that they experience by that same society forces women back into the darkness of subjugation. "Buried things," like buried treasure, hold a sense of value and importance. This potential importance is what exists in the women of Gilead, which is why they must be subjugated; the threat to the male dominated power is too great and must be avoided at all costs. Offred knows of these "buried things" and refuses to give up the fight, as the plants in Serena's garden have done. As such, the rebellious image of the sprouting plants becomes a source of inspiration for Offred, as the plants emerge towards the light regardless of having been in the dark; Offred has the power to bear her present darkness and survive in order to see the light. She will strive to be heard, albeit silently, and will survive regardless of what Gilead dictates for the lives of women.
ReplyDeleteGina Spohr
I agree with you Gina. These "buried things" Offred mentions are the unheard voices of the women trapped in Gilead. The women in Gilead have been buried under the oppression of the men in charge, and through this oppression and subjugation, they continue to fight. Offred mentions how these buried things will burst out "silently" and "wordlessly" because these buried things are the voices of the silenced women, and the men are silencing these women in fear of what they might have to say. This statement is very optimistic, in believing that one day whatever is buried will find its way out into the open. Women will no longer be silenced by the words and actions of men, and Offred firmly believes that the trapped women of Gilead will one day be free.
DeleteThe fifth quote is a perfect example of commodification. Gildead views the handmaids not as people with feelings, thoughts, opinions, or minds but as “national resources.” Just as a nation utilizes gas or natural oil as a national resource to foster growth and prosperity, Gilead uses the handmaids for the same purpose. Gilead values these women only for their ability to reproduce, and if they are unable to complete this duty, they are sent away to the colonies, essentially discarded and left to perish. Another part of this quote that demonstrates the commodification of women is the fact that Gilead labels the women with a tattoo. This compares women to an article of clothing, which is also labeled with identification numbers and a price tag. This quote is ironic in the sense that these tattoos were supposed to guarantee that handmaids were not able to fade or be lost; they are always able to be identified and located by these numbers. Although the handmaids are physically unable to fade, their personalities, liveliness, and individuality have faded and are lost through the process. I think that this quote exhibits Offred’s survivor spirit, because she has retained her intelligence and insight despite the tragedy she has suffered. She recognizes what is happening in Gilead, and the purpose of its actions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Danielle, these women are really only natural resources to Gilead. I really like the idea of the numbers as price tag; it is the perfect description of the meaning of the tattoo. The fact that the women are given a tattoo emphasizes that the Gilead leaders think this society is a permanent thing, yet throughout this novel Offred constantly thinks about escaping to a normal life. Although her tattoo can never be removed from her body, Offred can be removed from her life as a handmaid and Offred knows this.
DeleteWhen I was reading over the quotes, the sixth one left an impression on me. The concept of naming in Gilead is one of the most basic, yet horrific forms of control. A person’s name is the first form of identification he or she knows and when you take that away, you are removing his or her primitive and fundamental form of self and belonging. When you first think of a person, his or her name comes to mind. Then, the characteristics and ways in which you view the person follow. By removing that first form of recognition, the traits of the person will eventually diminish until there is almost nothing left in your memory. The way Gilead names the handmaids illustrates subjugation and objectification. With subjugation, a person is enslaved and brought under control. By taking away the handmaid’s name, she is no longer allowed to be her free old self. Whenever someone says their names, they are constantly reminded of who they belong to because the names of the Commanders are the basis of their identity. Similarly, when the Nazis tried to gain influence and control over others, they took away their names and gave them numbers. With the novel, Atwood is showing how powerful and domineering people are once again removing others’ sense of identification. History repeats itself. The naming method also represents objectification. People label their belongings so others know to whom it belongs. The handmaids are labeled just like objects, named after their owners. Style mirrors plot. The manner in which the handmaids are named is the way they are treated. They are named like objects and they are treated like objects. This quote alone shows just how strong Offred is, particularly, when she claim, “I tell myself it doesn’t matter…but what I tell myself is wrong, it does matter.” When a person goes through a terrible situation, he or she must confront the past head on if he or she wants to survive emotionally. At first, Offred tries to pacify herself by claiming her original name is insignificant, but she then realizes it is a major deal. Remembering her past must not be easy, but instead of giving into the darkness, she proves just how strong she is. It would be much easier to try and forget her past and just accept the current situation. She discusses her name as if it will rise and be dug up because it has survived. This is a metaphor for herself. Offred is capable of surviving, she has survived this far, and one day she will no longer have to be kept hidden and will triumph because she made it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe third quote is significant because most people misattribute the cause for women’s subjugation. Although men have played a large role in the suppression of women throughout history, it is important to remember that women themselves play a role in their own disempowerment. During the women’s movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, women were among some of the most outspoken opponents of equality and women’s rights. Many women were comfortable with their duties in the domestic sphere, and thought it was improper for a woman to pursue a career and compete with men in the workforce. The Aunts and Wives in The Handmaid’s Tale represent these women betraying women. Serena Joy is the best example, because she advocates women’s place in the home. She gets exactly what she wants when Gilead is born, but she realizes the consequences of her wish once Gilead is established. She is a “defeated” woman, but instead of having sympathy for Offred, a fellow woman, she is hostile and unfriendly towards her. I think this quote emphasizes the need for women to come together in their struggle for equality instead of sabotaging each other. Women themselves are their biggest obstacle. If solidarity is not achieved amongst women, equality will never be reached.
ReplyDeleteOut of all the questions, number five made the biggest impression on me. Offred is objectifying herself by calling herself a resource. This horrifies me to see that she thinks of herself as only a means to reproduce a child and nothing more. Offred also has a four digit number on her ankle, which reminds me of how farmers brand their live stocks as their property. The author refers to this code as a “passport in reverse”. This shows that women are not allowed to leave Gilead and that the society has full control over women. This four digit code is supposed to mean that Offred will never “fade” because she is important. This is not true because society will only keep her if she is able to reproduce a child for the Commander. If she cannot do this then she will be sent to the colonies. This shows that women are not valued. They only have one purpose and if they cannot fulfill it then they will be sent away without a thought.
ReplyDeleteGreat point Chelsea! I agree with you that the tattoo on Offred’s ankle symbolizes her role as a piece of property in Gilead. The tattoo proves that she is a victim of minionization and commodification because she is being treated as if she were livestock. Her only purpose is to reproduce. I agree that she objectifies herself when she refers to herself as a resource. I think that she allows herself to be subjugated in order to survive in Gilead. She cannot avoid the sight of the tattoo as it constantly reminds her that she is nothing but a means of reproduction in Gilead. It is a constant display of the pressure she feels to get pregnant and to survive in the demeaning and terrifying society of Gilead.
DeleteI agree with you Chelsea on the fact that to Gilead, Offred is only important for one reason: to give the Commander, his wife, and society a child. Even though she is objectifying herself by claiming to be "a natural resource," I think in some warped way, it demonstrates her sense of spirit. In a society, such as Gilead, where women are constantly viewed as objects and possessions, it has become second nature for Offred to refer to herself in the same manner. She attempts to turn something as horrific as being branded into something significant and powerful. Instead of viewing it in the way society does, Offred looks at the tattoo as another event in which she has survived. She will never be able to "fade" because she is "too important, too scarce for that." Offred will not fade, but survive because she is aware of society and refuses to succumb to the new norms. In the current society, there are not many women who discuss, or even think about, rebelling. Offred is one of the few. She is too important to fade because she needs to survive and tell her story to future generations in order to prevent this type of horrific situation from ever happening again. At first, Offred is mentioning another evil thing that has happened to her, but by the end of the quote, she has turned this nefarious situation into a positive outlook. The apparent self-objectification validates that when exposed to something for so long, people often unconsciously pick up and act on it. Despite that, Offred tries to remain strong spirited and survive, ultimately triumph.
DeleteChelsea, I definitely agree. A passport identifies a traveler as a citizen or national with a right to protection while abroad however, in this quote the meaning is entirely different. Here, a reverse passport is binding Offred to her own society rather than offering admittance into a hypothetical 'new world.' Also, in this instance it is questionable whether this "passport" offers any protection at all. This is arguable because one may be able to say the womb of a fertile woman is protected because it is valued, however, the mentally stability of a woman is completely disregarded when the expectations of the new society are placed upon them.
DeleteI analyzed the eighth quote: “There is something subversive about this garden of Serena’s, a sense of buried things bursting upwards, wordlessly, into the light, as if to point to say: Whatever is silenced will clamor to be heard, though silently.” This quote emphasizes Offred's undying desire to escape from the life she has been trapped in. Flowers can symbolize fertility, which is a negative and objectifying comparison; yet Offred chooses flowers as a symbol of rebirth. Offred wants to burst up and clamor to be heard and remove herself from her life as an objectified woman. In her position as a handmaid she is seen only as someone who can have children. Offred is not happy in this position and is aware that it is possible for her to escape. Throughout the duration of her life in Gilead she has constantly be placed in situations meant to degrade and objectify her, yet through this statement it is shown that Offred wants to break from her silenced life and be heard.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Claire! In this point of the novel, Offred feels buried by the oppressive forces of the Commander, Serena, and the society of Gilead. This statement shows that she is fighting tacitly to break out of the restraints of objectification. Also, I would like to compare what you said to the sixth quote, because in that statement Offred refers to her old name as a buried treasure, so quote six and quote eight combined show that she is no longer putting up with society forcing her to give up her identity. Offred is waiting to come out into the light and fight for the self worth she knows she has.
DeleteClaire and Grace, your analysis of the flower symbolizing life and fertility reminded me of our class discussion about Offred's reference to dandelions. A dandelion is generally considered ordinary and plain when compared to popular flowers. Even though the dandelion lacks colorful beauty, it makes up for it with its geometry as a flower. The dandelion is like no other flower because technically it is not a flower, it is a weed. A weed such as the dandelion is deeply and intricately rooted and can easily spread and pollute its surroundings. In this instance, Offred reminds me of a dandelion in the sense that she has the capability to 'pollute' her surroundings by spreading her beliefs and indifferences with the other Handmaids within Gilead which could result in a hypothetical 'weed infestation,' but more realistically, a rebellion. Offred has the ability to change her society if she is given the little push she needs to do so, because like a dandelion, the seeds will not be able to spread without the force of wind.
Delete“My name isn’t Offred. I have another name, which nobody uses now because it’s forbidden. I tell myself it doesn’t matter, your name is like your telephone number, useful only to others; but what I tell myself is wrong, it does matter. I keep the knowledge of this name like something hidden, some treasure I’ll come up to dig up, one day. I think of this name as buried. This name has an aura around it, like an amulet, some charm that’s survived from an unimaginably distant past.” Offred is given a name based upon the man who she is a handmaid for. This emphasizes the complete lack of empowerment for women. These handmaids are commodified and seen only as servants for the men whom they wait on. Offred's continued survivor spirit is seen as she hold on to her real name. She will not let herself be fully submerged into Gilead's demeaning traditions and rules. Just as an amulet is treasured and worth something, Offred knows that she is too. She believes that even though she is constantly objectified and treated poorly, she will leave this society soon and that she will "dig up" her name, as well as her independence, in the future. Offred is a survivor and holds on to her first name as a symbol of how she holds onto her hope for eventual self-determination.
ReplyDeleteThe seventh quote epitomizes the "evil-ations" of objectification and commodification. Aunt Lydia says to the handmaids that something is valued only if it is rare and hard to get, then goes on to compare the girls to an object that is rare and hard to get: pearls. As she continues to objectify these women, the handmaids do not stand up for themselves and correct her, saying that they are more than just "pearls": they are people. Offred talks about how she and the other handmaids "suffer" from Aunt Lydia's adjectives, how the handmaids are hers (Aunt Lydia's) to define. They no longer have a voice for themselves and are subject to whatever Aunt Lydia says. But as a side note, Offred ponders over the essence of a pearl and what is really is: congealed oyster spit. Once to break a pearl down, it is really nothing special. People only value the appearance of the pearl, not what it is on the inside. Offred notices this, that the handmaids are meant to be seen and to be used only for their appearance, not valued for their character, and shows her survivor spirit through this revelation. She also shows her survivor spirit through the fact that she is still thinking - "I think about pearls" - which is what Gilead is trying to stop handmaids from doing.
ReplyDeleteI like how you connected this quote to Offred's survivor spirit, Maddie. The fact that Offred maintains her ability to think critically and ponder circumstances is the only thing that is keeping her from becoming just another brainwashed member of the Gilead society. She recognizes that although Gilead may be able to control her body, it cannot control her mind or her feelings. She is free to think whatever she wants, and she takes full advantage of this. As readers, we see her progression of thoughts and can tell that on the outside she may be obedient and submissive, but internally, she has a rebellious spirit. Her will to live on and her mental strength are what allow Offred to survive in this suppressive, demeaning, and cruel environment.
DeleteThe sixth quote is significant because it shows that Offred has not given up on her lost identity. She refers to her real name as a treasure that she one day hopes to dig up. This shows that her identity and self worth are valuable to her and she wants to regain them. In Gilead, the handmaids’ so-called names are made up of the word “of” followed by their master’s names. This is an example of commodification and objectification, and shows readers how oppressive and suffocating Gilead is to women of this standard. Offred says that she tells herself no longer having a real name is important, that it is just for other’s convenience, but even she knows she is wrong. Her name is who she was, and she can’t just make herself forget it. A name makes someone unique, and even something as simple as this is denied from handmaids. In Gilead, everyone is conformed to be as similar as possible. People are put in categories, and everyone in those categories is supposed to be the same. Handmaids are supposed to have no individuality whatsoever, but this is hard for them because they remember when they had a name, an identity, and a life. Readers have hope that Offred will once again have her identity back, because this statement shows how important her name is to her.
ReplyDeleteYes, Gracie, I agree. When we are babies the very first thing we ever learn is our name. It makes us who we are and how we distinguish one from another. Gilead takes away Offred's real name and masks her identity by giving her a name like all of the other handmaids. Gilead goes as far as taking away a human beings' sense of uniqueness and originality. The society objectifies the handmaids by taking away their identity and labeling them with the name of their masters. The handmaids are seen as the masters' possessions and cannot forget it since their new names exhibit who they belong to. They are essentially stripped of their sense of freedom and self belonging.
DeleteAnne Blanco
Grace I completely agree! By taking away someones name you are taking away a piece of them that makes them who they are. Our identities are extremely important because they set us apart from one another and allow us to be our own person. Ofred knows this is true but she is too afraid to admit it. She hopes that one day that she will be able to use her real name again and she is determined to do so. The handmaids' are being made into object that are only identified by their masters name, this is similar to how products have labels that we use to identify them. This society is completely degrading because the freedoms and rights that every individual should have are being taken away from the handmaids'.
DeleteI totally agree with you, Grace and Annie! Annie, I found your observation of the handmaids being "stripped of their sense of freedom and self belonging" particularly intriguing and troubling. I find it's almost as if the men and even some women in the new society wish for women to become one unified body therefore a system of differentiation of one woman from another is unnecessary because all a woman is to do is bear a child, consequently, the specifics should not matter. Thinking further into this, in society we often classify others by their physical features and more times than not, I feel we classifying by hair color. How often when describing someone to another person do we first refer to his/her hair color? A person can be easily distinguished by the color and texture of hair, and in literary context, a woman's hair is a direct indication of life. In Gilead, a handmaid's hair is covered at all times by her veil, which further proves the point that in the new society, a woman is stripped of all identification, even her physical identification, because all she is useful for is her purpose as an outlet for reproduction.
DeleteIn the sixth quote Offred is subjugated by the lack of a name in Gilead. She shows her survival strength by allowing her name not to be used, but she secretly remembers it. She realizes that for her own protection she must not use her name. A name is one of the first things we learn to say and spell as children. It is how we identify ourselves and others. Women are so infantilized in Gilead that their name and literacy are being taken from them. By removing the handmaids names the women are stripped of their identity. They are seen only as a means of reproduction. Offred shows her survivor spirit by secretly remembering her name. She tries to tell herself that a name isn’t important. She knows that if she becomes too obsessed with remembering the past she will not survive in Gilead. Many other handmaids had committed suicide because of the pain of the present and the longing for the past. Offred’s memory trickles in slowly so that she can survive in the traumatic society of Gilead.
ReplyDeleteErin, I 100% agree. This quote and the ideas revolving around are similar to quote 10. Her name is something of the past and she remembers it, but tries not to in order to keep herself alive. When she thinks about the past she also thinks of why she would want to live through this. I find this understandable considering she has lost everything that ever mattered to her. Her name is her identity and part of her individuality. Without a family, friends and an identity, who are you? Most people would consider this not existing and that is why she feels like she is trapped in an elevator falling. Is this really happening? Is she alive? Does she still exist? I think these are all thoughts going through her head.
DeleteI agree Erin! When we meet someone new the first thing we ask is their name because that is how we identify people. In Gilead by taking away their names they are stripping them of their identity. Even though Offred tries to tell herself that a name doesn't matter, she knows it does. Calling her Of Fred shows the severity of the objectification in Gilead. She is a possession not an individual. I also agree that Offred uses the secret memory of her old name as a survival mechanism. She can only handle so much of the past at a time so her brain slowly helps her remember.
DeleteThe sixth quote really puts an emphasis on Offred's subjugation of her identity. In this quote Offred is not allowed to voice her own identity. She is not allowed to use her real birth name; rather she has to go by the name she was given at Gilead. Offred's inability to outwardly express herself depicts the extreme censorship Gilead has on females. The Gilead society is stripping each female of their individuality further stripping them of their self worth. The women in Gilead are not seen as valuable people, rather as worthless females whose only existence is for pro-creation.This lack of identity, ultimately hinders the female persona both physically and mentally. Offred's sense of hope is also portrayed in this quote. Offred realizes that this silencing is terribly corrupt and remains positive in the idea that one day her real name will be heard again. When she says I’ll come up to dig up, one day" - referring to her name, she is seen optimistic female who is going to survive the Gilead era, and will be able to one day rise up and let her name be heard.
ReplyDeleteI analyzed the fourth quote. Although it is the shortest quote out of all of the options, I felt that it best explains the plot. “What you don’t know won’t hurt you.” Society is almost telling Offred and all of the other handmaids to just accept their defeat and that they don’t mean anything. They are shut out of society and are forbidden from many things. They cannot read, write, or even talk to certain individuals. Although society does turn off Offred’s voice, it does not stop her daring curiosity. She is determined to make a better situation for herself and likes to live a little bit on the edge. She absolutely knows she should not be alone with the Commander in his office, but she does it anyway. When he asks her if she wants to play Scrabble, she cannot turn down the offer although she knows there would be harsh punishments if she were to get caught. Scrabble gave Offred part of her voice back. The first word she played was ‘larynx’. Offred dares to not completely conform to society and try to change things for herself. She has hope that one day she will be able to know these forbidden things that she “must not be told”. Gilead cannot take her voice away form her forever.
ReplyDeleteAnne Blanco
In quote ten Offred is referring to the moment her family was attempting to cross over the border into Canada and when they are discovered, however, in a broader spectrum her words are applicable to what was happening to all women in the new society. Even the Commander's Wives, who appear to have it the best, are prisoners of their own homes and also prisoners of societal expectation. If they are unable to bear children, they are expected to accept the role of a Handmaid in the home and although this is socially accepted, it is questionable whether or not it will ever be morally accepted. It has also been revealed that some of the women, particularly the older women, have been sent to The Colonies where they are on cleanup detail. That is to say, they have to clean up dead bodies while others are made to go into prostitution, something that is officially not allowed but which is an option for punishment. I find the comparison to an elevator to be interesting because when picturing being trapped in a falling elevator, it would be assumed that a passenger may wish for the elevator to be recovered before falling, or if it does eventually fall, that it may fall gently avoiding fatality. Contradicting this thought, majority of the women placed in the falling elevator of the new society are anxiously counting down the seconds for the elevator to collide with the ground because once it does, they will achieve the ultimate freedom through death, the only state in which all people become equals.
ReplyDeleteThe fourth quote really stood out to me as an example of infantilization. This quote shows how women like Ofred do not have a say in any aspects of their lives. To me this is extremely upsetting because it is extremely difficult for me to imagine life without the many freedoms that I have today. This quote shows how woman are on the same level of children because they cannot be trusted to make the right choices, so their fate will be decided for them. The quote discusses not being told information, and this is because woman are seen as fragile and uneducated so if they were told pertinent information it was believed they would not be able to handle it. During this time, woman have one job and that is to reproduce so in the eyes of society and commanders woman should not be bothered with other information because it may distract them from their task; however, there is hope in this quote because it shows that Ofred is determined to survive. Although conversations are prohibited, Ofred accepts the risks in order to find out new things from Rita. Ofred knows what life was like previous to these events and because of that she is determined to not allow anyone to stifle her voice and to get her daughter back.
ReplyDeleteI analyzed quote 10: This quote really shows that she is struggling with what is happening to her. She does not want to admit it, but what she is going through is a nightmare. She has had thoughts of suicide, but stuck through it. I think this shows how strong of a character she really is. She proved that no one can hold a woman down. She had her own child taken away from her, her mother is in the worst place one could be, and her husband missing. She didn't know when the nightmare would end yet, she still had a yearning to live. She was depressed, lonely and suicidal and constantly thought about how her life used to be. She took chances like having a relationship with both the commander and nick that were prohibited. She had nothing to lose and I think this quote helps to explain that. The people were evil. The government took away everything from Offred and other women in the same position. She lost everything that ever mattered to her. She was subjugated and brought under the control of the Commander and his wife. With strict rules, she lost her freedom. Offred was objectified by society and the commander. To the government, she basically was a set of ovaries and that is all that mattered to them. To the commander, she was a sex object. This novel really symbolically exemplified evil-ations that do occur in society. It also explains how people may feel. When someone gets hurt, they feel alone and like everything is falling apart. They feel as if they are falling and it may never stop.
ReplyDeleteIn the first quote, Margaret Atwood brings up an important message by stating the lack of unity between women. There is no word that means to behave like a sister, however, there is a word that means to behave like a brother. Men tend to unite with each other to make their voice louder and empower themselves as a whole. Women have trouble helping each other due to jealousy and pity, which may be why women are in a constant cycle of suppression. Even after women lost all of their rights in Gilead there is still a division between wives and handmaids. Serena Joy cannot form a bond with Offred after she is thrown into the Commanders house. Serena takes her anger out on Offred instead of focusing her hatred on her husband. They are unable to unite with each other to help stop the injustice taking place. This lack of a sisterly bond has inhibited women from protecting their rights in Gilead.
ReplyDeleteIn the fifth quote, Offred is acknowledging herself as an object and as a commodity. This is particularly disturbing because it is bad enough for the society of Gilead to view women as commodities, but when the women start to view themselves that way, there is a sense of lost hope. A passport is a means of traveling to different countries and it is the ultimate symbol of freedom. Offred refers to her tattoo as "a passport in reverse," which is so accurate because her tattoo confines her to the boundaries of Gilead and allows for absolutely no freedom. She commodifies herself when she compares herself to a national resource. Gilead does treat their women as resources because they are high in demand and are treated as property. They are used for the advancement of society and are not regarded as individuals.
ReplyDeleteThe tenth quote describes how we all feel when we experience disloyalty and unfaithfulness and all the lasting damages it can have on a person. Throughout this novel, Offred is both a victim of betrayal and betrays others. Offred’s flashbacks throughout the work tell us that she was involved in an affair with Luke, while he was still married to another woman. When Luke eventually leaves his first wife for Offred, both he and Offred are both betraying his previous wife. Offred also finds herself betrayed by the government and society. She has been betrayed in the sense that all that she has ever loved has been stripped from her, including her husband, her mother, her daughter, her home, and her happy and free lifestyle that she once had. Offred is literally experiencing “hell on earth” and she has no way of escaping it. She finds herself to be prisoner within the Commander’s household because that is not where she truly belongs. In my opinion even through all the heartache she endeavors, she never once gives up hope or faith that one day things will be right again.
ReplyDeleteI agree Caitlin! In this quote, the truth of disloyalty and betrayal is revealed. We are often betrayed and deceived by people who are closest to us. In reality the people that are the closest to us, hold the key to our downfall. You never know what can happen, but when it does you are in awe because you never thought that something in that context could happen. Not only does Offred aid to Luke’s betrayal to his previous wife, but she too is betrayed by society and the government. She always took advantage of her rights, even after her mom told her to appreciate everything. Likewise to the way the government gave people their rights, they could easily retract them back. Not only was her humanity taken away from her, but so were her loved ones. She never has closure to where they went, just as we the readers don't have closure to where Offred ends up. She is stifled and trapped by society with no one except herself and a little bit of hope; hope that she can trust Nick and not be betrayed by him.
Delete“My name isn’t Offred. I have another name, which nobody uses now because it’s forbidden. I tell myself it doesn’t matter, your name is like your telephone number, useful only to others; but what I tell myself is wrong, it does matter. I keep the knowledge of this name like something hidden, some treasure I’ll come up to dig up, one day. I think of this name as buried. This name has an aura around it, like an amulet, some charm that’s survived from an unimaginably distant past.” This quote reminds me much of what happened in the Holocaust and Anthem by Ayn Rand, in all cases names and the sense of individualism were stripped from the people. In both Anthem and in The Handmaid’s Tale, technological advancement led to the elimination of individuality, but most importantly-humanity. I do respect Offred for being strong, she kept telling herself that it didn’t matter but it was just a defense mechanism-because it really was important to her. She has been subjectified and objectified by society but she still holds on to her dignity as a person- she doesn’t fall into the hypnotized mentality that the upper hand wants her to. She objectifies her own name comparing it to an amulet that survived from an unimaginably distant past, but this isn't something that happened a long time ago. I feel that she thinks that if she forgets about her name, she can forget about her past as a whole, especially her family- not with bad intention but to protect herself. She hopes to dig up her name in the future, and get the life she had back not only her family, but independence. She fights for independence when she trusts Nick and the vehicle that comes for her at the end, this shows that she will do anything to achieve her goal, no matter the risks.
ReplyDeleteIn quote #5 Offred is contrasting about her life in the past to the one she has now. Before, she able to be her own person, but now, she is considered as just an object. This shows the reader how Gilead treats women. They are not treated as individuals but as objects. This is shown by the tattoo that the Handmaid's have 'four digits and an eye, a passport in reverse'. ".....It's supposed to guarantee that I will never be able to fade, finally into another landscape. It am too important, too scarce, for that. I am a national resource." By having the tattoo 'four digits and an eye', it 'guarantees' that she and the other Handmaid's will not be sent away to places outside Gilead as they are considered as 'too important, too scarce'. They are the few women in Gilead who are able to bear a child, therefore, their wombs are considered as a 'national resource'. The choice of accepting the doctors offer to impregnate Offred scares her, not just because of the punishments she will receive if she was found out, but because she is being offered a way to escape. This shows the reader Offred's ability and need to survive in Gilead. This is reinforced when Offred states that she has 'crossed no boundaries, given no trust, taken no risk', yet she is feeling like she is rebelling against the regime by thinking about and being offered the chance of salvation. Offred is used to playing it safe so it seems comforting to her. However, the idea of freedom and salvation gets her out of her comfort as she is used to following the rules of the regime, and the thought of rebelling against the regime frightens her. Offred describes her body as an object for living. It's only purpose is to be 'a cloud congealed around a central object'. That central object is her womb. Her womb is considered 'more real' than she is. This shows the reader that in Gilead, the Handmaid's only purpose is to be an instrument for living. It is surrounding the womb, which is considered important in Gilead and therefore a 'national resource'.
ReplyDeleteQuote nine is illustrated by a flashback to the time Offred is captured and loses her husband and her own little girl, never knowing what has become of them. The three of them are preparing to make a run for the border and in considering this they wonder what they can do with the cat. They are supposed to be pretending to day trip for a picnic and therefore should not take the cat. They cannot "give the cat away" as that would be suspicious and they cannot just leave it outside because it would "hang around and mew at the door." What I found interesting was that the cat was once referred to as "she" and then pages later referred to as an "it." Similarly, a woman becomes a handmaid, an it, and even worse, a pet. All of these objects are replaceable, therefore one and one and one and one will only add up to one because one is simply taking the role of its predecessor and eliminating the opportunity of ever being an individual.
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