My Thoughts on "The Handmaid's Tale"

"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood is a controversial piece because of the manner that certain opinions and behaviors are frowned upon in this novel.  This work is and in depth look at extremism and serves as a reminder against such actions.  Reasons such as this are one of the grounds that I use to support my enjoyment of the work.  The blunt, unemotional manner in which the novel is often presented in, aids in the realization of how trapped the people in this society are, that they must stop emotion from entering the equation or they might break down.  This helped me connect to the character of Offred and become personally invested in her story.  The author manipulates the language of this piece so that the reader feels sympathy and empathy for Offred.  In addition, I liked this novel not only because of this form of delivery, but also on the basis of Atwood's use of symbols, flashbacks, and allusions that add to the story.  Another cause for my pleasure with the novel is the satirical aspect to it.  In "The Handmaid's Tale," the views of extremists, whom often take their beliefs and ideas too far, are mocked in a subtle and interesting way.  Atwood introduces a novel that not only maintains the readers attention, but at the same time convinces them to reevaluate their opinions and view on life as it is today.  I do not agree with the values of the society of Gilead, however, because Atwood made the work satirical, she develops agreement with her audience that this society is wrong, which I believe is an excellent technique and develops the point of view.  Another rationale for why I enjoy this work is because there was not a clear ending stated.  Atwood purposely left the ending open to the reader's interpretation.  This allows for each person to individually decide on the life that Offred lives once she exits her enslavement.  All of these different reasons contribute to why I liked the novel, "The Handmaid's Tale".

"The Handmaid's Tale" Favorite Quote

"Not every Commander has a Handmaid: some of their Wives have children.  From each, says the slogan, according to her ability; to each according to his needs.  We recited that, three times, after dessert.  It was from the Bible, or so they said."

This line is my favorite from the novel because of the pure irony of the statement. The slogan "From each . . . his needs.," is interesting because the country, Gilead, takes an ideal from Marxism and incorporates it into the governing system claiming that it is from the Bible.  This society is named the Republic of Gilead, however, according to this slogan, this organization appears to lean more towards communism and totalitarianism rather than being a republic.  A passage such as this, is a synecdoche, representing the Gileadian society.  During their reign, this organization manipulates and reorganizes different portions of culture and society in order to form their "perfect" country, however, when reading about the work of this government from someone on the inside it is obvious that the frameworks of this new culture is based on half truths and selection of detail.  This specific quote is derived from a communist ideal and passed off as a religious text.  Things such as this happen many times in the novel and portray this society.  Which is why this passage alluding to Marxism represents the Gileadian method of forcing people to cooperate, by making up laws and biblical text as they go along.  The irony of this quote and the fact that is a synecdoche for this organization are some of the reasons behind why this line is my favorite out of this novel.

"The Handmaid's Tale" Anaysis of Allusions

In the novel "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, several allusions to biblical texts are used.  These allusions become justification for the society of Gilead to force people into restricting positions that they must conform to.  Several examples present themselves throughout the text, for instance the roles of the Handmaid's and the Martha's.  Both are biblical references that are altered to fit the need of Gilead.  The Handmaid's originate from the Genesis and states how the maid of a women who could not have children proceeded to deliver children for this women.  In this fictional reality Gilead presents this one passage as a rationalization to forcing women to bear children for others.  By naming these enslaved women Handmaid's, the reference is easily attainable and the irony and unbelievability of these horrific actions are obvious.  Another allusion that Atwood employs is basing the position of servants in this civilization on the biblical character Martha.  Martha was of women mentioned in a biblical text, she is described as an immaculate housewife and the perfect hostess.  Gilead, once again twist the connotations of this reference and uses it as a template to force others in servitude.  Both of these allusions are tampered with in this novel, representing the irony of all the different "jobs" of the people in this nation.  In this work, even the name of this "republic" is based off an allusion. Gilead refers to a border on the promised land known for its' healing balms.  However, this government is the exact opposite, exemplifying the very hypocrisy it stands for.  Atwood, develops all of these different allusions into her novel in order to prove a point against extremism, taking things too literally, and forcing people to do things against their will.  Her satirical piece exposes the truth about all of these ideas and leaves a warning against these behaviors.