Table of Contents
Women’s bodies as political instruments
The Power of Language
Complacency and its Causes
Women’s bodies as political instruments
Gilead’s structure is built to control reproduction. Its religious trappings, rigid political hierarchy, and its entire structure are all built on this single goal. By subjugating women politically, the state assumes complete control over their bodies. Women are prohibited from voting, holding property or jobs, reading, or doing anything else which could enable them to become independent or subversive. Gilead has a pro-women agenda, but the subjugation that women face creates an oppressive society. They are reduced merely to their fertility. A womb, a pair of ovaries is all they are. Offred lazes in the bathtub and thinks that, before Gilead took hold, her body was a vehicle for her desires. But now, her body is only a mound surrounding a hollow womb. Gilead is trying to strip women of all their individuality so that they can become docile, sterile carriers.
The Language of PowerGilead uses language to manipulate and ignore reality, in order serve the elites’ needs. Gilead created a system for titles after making it illegal to have women hold jobs. Men are defined by their rank in the military. Women are defined exclusively by their role as Wives, Marthas, or Handmaids. They are stripped of their uniqueness by removing permanent names. Blacks, Jews, and feminists are referred to as “Children of Ham”, “Sons of Jacob” or “Unbabies” in order to make them seem subhuman. It is forbidden to greet someone incorrectly, as it could be interpreted as disloyalty. Gilead’s rituals are defined by specially created terms, including “Prayvaganzas,” ‘Salvagings,” & ‘Participations. Gilead controls women through names.
The Causes of ComplacencyIn Atwood’s totalitarian world, people would tolerate oppression if they were given a small amount of power and freedom. Offred remembers how her mother told her that people are “amazing” at what they can tolerate if there is a little compensation. Offred’s complacency shows this truth. Her life is far more restricted than her former one, but Nick gives her a small piece of freedom. It is the physical affection, and the companionship that makes it almost bearable. Offred’s happiness is so overwhelming that she says no to Ofglen’s request for information about Commander.
Women are willingly supporting Gilead by participating in its existence, acting as agents for the totalitarian regime. Serena Joy does not hold any power among men but is the head of her household. Offred seems to be oblivious to her rule. She jealously protects and enjoys the power she does have. In the same way, the women called Aunts, and in particular Aunt Lydia, are willing agents of Gileadean rule. They indoctrinate and control other women, keeping a watchful eye for rebellion. In general, they perform the same functions for Gilead, as did the Jewish Police under Nazi regime. Atwood’s tone is depressing. In the same breath that she condemns Offred’s complacency, Serena Joy’s, the Aunts or even Moiras, she suggests, even though these women would have to muster strength to stop submitting, they wouldn’t be able make much of a difference. In Gilead tiny resistances may not be important. Offred’s escape is due to luck, not resistance.
