"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.