The novel I am reading is called ¨The Handmaid´s Tale¨ by Margaret Atwood. The main characters in the book so far are Offred, who is the protagonist, Aunt Lydia who is in charge of all of the Handmaids, Nick who is a guardian, and Commander Waterford and his wife Serena. The novel takes place in Gilead, the totalitarian society in which the Handmaids live. This blog will cover pages 1-79.
It is apparent from the beginning of the story that the society in which Offred lives in is under strict control. The story begins with a group of women, in which we later find out are called Handmaid´s, in a gymnasium being trained and assigned to their commander. If one is to act or speak out of turn, they are shocked with electric prods and punished accordingly. The Handmaids must always travel in pairs, only being allowed to address each other through Biblical sayings and talk about simple things such as the weather. They also are required to wear distinguishable red dresses that are extremely modest, along with white ¨wings¨ on their heads. As the story develops, readers learn that each Handmaid lives in a house with a commander and his wife. Offred, the protagonist of the story, is assigned to commander Waterford and his wife Serena Joy who automatically develops a strong hatred toward Offred. Mrs. Waterford avoids Offred as much as possible and often tells her to stay away. As the novel progresses, readers learn that before the creation of Gilead, Offred was married to a man named Luke in which she had a daughter with. Offred often has flashbacks to her life before Gilead but has trouble remembering details which she blames on the injection she was given upon being taken to this society. It is recognizable that the Handmaids in the society are used to reproduce with their commander as Offred has regular doctor visits to see if she is pregnant. Though the commander's wife cannot have children, if the Handmaid becomes pregnant it is the commander and his wife's child, not the Handmaids´. Offred says she often feels not like a human but just an item used to have children as the declining birth rate in Gilead is the central problem. Chapter 13 ends with Offred recollecting on the day she got her daughter taken from her as that is something she thinks of often.
So far I think this book is extremely futuristic and well written. Although totalitarian government isn´t a new concept in literature, I think Atwood makes it much more interesting and modern than it´s usually done because by bringing in other topics such as women's rights, gender roles in society and freedom of expression the audience is able to relate the conflicts happening in the story to our society today. I also think by the author adding the flashbacks to Offred's life before the creation of Gilead the readers are able to empathize with Offred more and get a better understanding of the position she and all the Handmaids are in as she was just a normal wife and mom before this happened. This also makes readers sympathize and like Offred as the protagonist and build resentment toward characters who aren´t kind to her like Serena which I think was intended by the author. As the novel continues I´m curious to see if Offred will rebel against her commander or try to plan an escape to her husband and daughter.
It is apparent from the beginning of the story that the society in which Offred lives in is under strict control. The story begins with a group of women, in which we later find out are called Handmaid´s, in a gymnasium being trained and assigned to their commander. If one is to act or speak out of turn, they are shocked with electric prods and punished accordingly. The Handmaids must always travel in pairs, only being allowed to address each other through Biblical sayings and talk about simple things such as the weather. They also are required to wear distinguishable red dresses that are extremely modest, along with white ¨wings¨ on their heads. As the story develops, readers learn that each Handmaid lives in a house with a commander and his wife. Offred, the protagonist of the story, is assigned to commander Waterford and his wife Serena Joy who automatically develops a strong hatred toward Offred. Mrs. Waterford avoids Offred as much as possible and often tells her to stay away. As the novel progresses, readers learn that before the creation of Gilead, Offred was married to a man named Luke in which she had a daughter with. Offred often has flashbacks to her life before Gilead but has trouble remembering details which she blames on the injection she was given upon being taken to this society. It is recognizable that the Handmaids in the society are used to reproduce with their commander as Offred has regular doctor visits to see if she is pregnant. Though the commander's wife cannot have children, if the Handmaid becomes pregnant it is the commander and his wife's child, not the Handmaids´. Offred says she often feels not like a human but just an item used to have children as the declining birth rate in Gilead is the central problem. Chapter 13 ends with Offred recollecting on the day she got her daughter taken from her as that is something she thinks of often.
So far I think this book is extremely futuristic and well written. Although totalitarian government isn´t a new concept in literature, I think Atwood makes it much more interesting and modern than it´s usually done because by bringing in other topics such as women's rights, gender roles in society and freedom of expression the audience is able to relate the conflicts happening in the story to our society today. I also think by the author adding the flashbacks to Offred's life before the creation of Gilead the readers are able to empathize with Offred more and get a better understanding of the position she and all the Handmaids are in as she was just a normal wife and mom before this happened. This also makes readers sympathize and like Offred as the protagonist and build resentment toward characters who aren´t kind to her like Serena which I think was intended by the author. As the novel continues I´m curious to see if Offred will rebel against her commander or try to plan an escape to her husband and daughter.
Thanks for sharing. Your book seems very interesting because even if it is fictional, the story could happen in real life, which creates an impact on the reader. furthermore, this aspect of totalitarian reflects what happen in some countries in the world
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds very interesting. I think that having the totalitarian government gives it a more modern feel. I like how Offred is also bringing conflicts such as equality and freedom of speech.
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