Margaret Atwoods The handmaids tale Analysis

Document Type:Thesis

Subject Area:Religion

Document 1

Much of Margaret’s work touches on things that already happened or that are currently happening in different parts of the world making it a relevant story that needs a close study. By doing so, it will give us with ideas on how to address these challenges and how to help victims of these retarded systems that have been established by powerful and selfish individuals who don’t value freedom and equality for all. Atwood’s Handmaid’s tale extensively portrays how women bodies are made objects for men. Basing on their usefulness, Gileadean women were ranked into classes. The few who got lucky to be married to powerful men sat quietly and were respected by the household while the other majority of women who were considered unlucky were treated as servants to these powerful men; this is seen through the roles played by Offred in commanders house.

Sign up to view the full document!

The Handmaid’s Tale portrayed the depth in which hypocrisy had taken a deep-rooted channel amongst the elite political class in Gilead. The elite class saw themselves above the law. This is parallel to the fact that they were pushing for the changes of the constitution as well as complete adherence to the rule of law. They broke the law when situations and circumstances were not in their favor. Ironically in Gilead, women who were found guilty of having extramarital affairs were given a tough punishment by making them handmaids. Despite the rampant rape, hurts, and harassment they had to bear as handmaids in Gilead. According to Aunt, being subjected to the strict confinement as handmaids protected them from the harm of freedom and this is one of the major rhetoric in Atwood’s writing.

Sign up to view the full document!

Comparing this to the real world of today, some religions and cultures still confine their women into strict rules failure to which they are subjected to tough punishments. Therefore, as much as we feel that we are living in a world full of freedom, one has to take note of the rising number of freedom activists across the world even in the most civilized nations. This means that the quest for total freedom has not yet been met. The sterility and declined childbirth rates in Gilead were as a result of Environmental Pollution. This is seen when through Commander and his wife’s inability to sire kids making them turn to Offred, the fertility handmaid to help them sire a child. Their infertility is in one way or the other a result of the harmful industrial wasted which damaged their reproduction system.

Sign up to view the full document!

In Gilead, there were no proper established systems for industrial waste management. Industries carelessly disposed their industrial wastes to rivers which served as a source of water for the people hence exposing them to the dangers of ingesting harmful industrial elements. It can be concluded that the writings of Margaret Atwood about the handmaid were to stage a warning about the disastrous consequences of evil activities people engage in. She touched on feminism as a way to advocate for women empowerment, equal rights and the focalization of gender in matters development in the society. Issues touching on society regarding governance should be approached soberly to avoid chaos and foster harmony and equal rights for all. Work Cited Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale.

Sign up to view the full document!

From $10 to earn access

Only on Studyloop

Original template

Downloadable