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Monotheocracies In The Handmaid's Tale

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Religion Magnifies Males ' Mindsets

Religions influence followers to put religion as their first priority—encouraging them to devote their lives to it. Unfortunately, this complete control of their lives creates ideal followers, without individuality/uniqueness, which renders one follower as useless. Since the followers receive power when working together, one follower has no power. For example, monotheocracies have control through religion and the government (two major leaders in society). Moreover, monotheocracies domination over their people eases oppression as Iran influences their people through religious holy wars (jihads) and veils (hijabs) for women. In The Handmaid 's Tale, Atwood argues (through the Marxist lens) manipulating religion is an efficient, yet brutal way to control lives—since one believer has no power unless combined with others.

The monotheocracy 's Biblical alterations and …show more content…

Both Iran and Gilead have veils to prevent love formed on looks. Additionally, Gilead references Bible verses in Genesis ' first part on His relationship with humanity (Bergant)—on reproduction: women shall birth "in sorrow" (King James Version, Genesis 3:16) and "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" (Genesis 1:28). Similarly, Gilead cites Genesis ' second part on Israelis '—"God 's chosen people 's"—"ancestral history" (Bergant)—for examples for Wives and Handmaids to follow: Rachel who used her maid to get children (Genesis 30: 1-3) and Leah who gave her maid to her husband (Genesis 30:18). Moreover, the birth emphasis is important to restore the Caucasian race, but it is hard on mothers. For example, my Grandfather 's farm has at least ten cats because he did not spay the mother. Sadly, she is thin due to feeding many kittens. Overall, wielding religion damages the believers ' lives, but bears successful

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