The Handmaid's Tale

Quote-

Throughout The Handmaid's Tale there is always some hope for Offred to maybe one day be free. Her friend, Moira, acts as an inspiration to Offred, because she does what she wants and she is not afraid of the consequences. She is an independent, strong person, who really does give Offred the impression that she is a women who is determined and does not quit. This really is the only encouragement that Offred has to go on for, a good part of the book. However at a surprising turn of events, Moira can not take anymore, and that is why I chose this specific passage, "So here I am. They even give you face cream. You should figure out some way of getting in here. You'd have three or four good years before your snatch wears out and they send you to the bone yard. The food's not bad and there's drink and drugs, if you want it, and we only work nights."

"Moira," I say. "You don't mean that." She is frightening me now, because what I hear in her voice is indifference, a lack of volition. Have they really done it to her then, taken away something- what? - that used to be so central to her? And how can I expect her to go on, with my ideas of her courage, live it through, act it out, when I myself do not?

This passage, just shows how much Offred had invested in Moira and her strength of character. That was very important to Offred and it gave not only Offred hope, but the readers hope, that Offred might be able to be like Moira and take things into her own hands. However, this passage really changes the mood of the book after that point because it seems as though there is no way out and Offred will be a Handmaid forever. This just made everything different and if Moira someone with great spirit and fight, could not break through the barriers of Gilead, then could anyone? Also it seems to affect Offred in a really negative way, because she feels that she can not be disappointed in Moira, when she has not done anything that comes close to that.

This passage is also very important because it shows just how harsh the Republic of Gilead is, and how hard it is to escape. Moira signifies a person who fights and does not give up, however even this society with all its rules and regulations is able to break her down. It just shows the difficulty of this place and the government that is heading it, they must see the suffering they are putting all these people through, yet they still do it. Their daily struggles from day to day, are direct results of the choices the government has made to help the birth rate, however ruin their lives in the process.

My Opinion-

I found The Handmaid's Tale hard to follow sometimes and it definitely was not a fast read. I do not really like the overall mood throughout the book, because it is very depressing. Offred is happy by the simplest things, because it is so hard to see the good in this strict society. Religion plays a huge role in this book and many different religions are hinted at and maybe criticised by the author. The government really is harsh in what these people can and can not do. I hate how the women are not allowed to read, and they take many of their privileges away. Even though this society is supposed to protect women from being raped or just violence in general, it is definitely not better than their lives were before Gilead. Offred was truly happy with her family before this, and know she is depressed and so very lonely. The government no doubt made it worse for almost everyone, including men, because they took away the many freedoms that they once had. Offred remembers her life before and longs to go back to her husband and daughter, however she knows that that is nearly impossible. I just hate that this book does not give Offred the chance to take a stand and do what she wants to, and try and escape. I expected her to step up and at least attempt some kind of rebellion against Gilead, and set an example for others to do the same. But that never happens.

One thing I did like was the ending because at least it did end with a little bit of hope. Even though it is unlikely she was saved, at least it is not a definite that she failed to be. It does give that last glimmer of hope, and lets the reader decide for themselves what to believe.

Theme/Symbols/Etc.

The Eyes show that they represent the highest power possible, being named the Eyes of God. They give that sense of no matter what you do, somehow you will be found out eventually. The government has Eyes everywhere and Offred and some others are afraid of doing anything wrong in case they are being watched. Also, she can not really trust anyone, because who knows who is watching and against her. The Eyes just make all the people of this place, haunted by the fact that if they slip up or say something offensive, someone will probably find out. It gives the reader the impression that there are people lurking behind every street corner, just waiting for someone to mess up. It is not a healthy way to run a society, scaring the people into obeying, and killing them for the most absurd things. They Eyes just represent too much power, however there is nothing that can be done to stop it.

A theme throughout this book is that this place of Gilead is for the protection of women. They are concerned with them getting raped, or being exploited inappropriately, and they are in need of protection. However, the irony in this is that, Offred is almost forced to have sex with the Commander when they go to the club and it borders on rape. As does that entire place that they go to, and it shows the same things are happening however it is a secret now. It is even worse because their is no more passion or romance to this society anymore, just women being used. It is terrible what they have to live through and it is ridiculous that anyone could think that this place is better for women.