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Fear In The Handmaid's Tale

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Fear is defined as the emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. The emotion of fear is present in everyone's lives and we all have a variety of fears that are unique to us. However, in the book The Handmaid's Tale by Margret Atwood, the society the book takes place, Gilead, is structured in a way to create a fear into the people who reside there. The way this type of economy is shaped has multiple characteristics that lead it to believe that no change can be brought upon it to overcome any fear that it gives off. This literary text delves us into the setting of the book and begins to instate fear into us, the readers. Anything that could potentially restrict the basic freedoms of our current life, comes to life through this book and because of this, it relates to our fears on a more personal connection. The form of fear is derived from various scenarios in the book, including Offred's thoughts of her being infertile, being caught sneaking with the Commander, and being conformed to her new life, all of which add to the apprehension of the …show more content…

The social classes are organized in a way of like a hierarchy of authority. Each class, with their specific duties, serves a purpose to society where the handmaids are at the very bottom of the authority command line but yet serve the greatest of purposes. The handmaids are given set ways to act from their "training" they endure which includes being monitored by the Aunts class. The Aunts wore "Electric cattle prods slung on thongs from their leather belts," instigating the idea that they could use them if needed so (Atwood 4). This example portrays the fear between classes that the society creates and shows the reader the discipline levels that the lower class is put through in order to remain in

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(Atwood 187). Although Handmaids experience oppression by the Gilead regime, Atwood emphasizes the importance of unity and collaboration in the face of difficulties. The government of Gilead presents how hypocritical their society is toward women’s rights since the government uses a form of manipulation to make the Handmaid’s circumstances more tolerable. Additionally, Offred expresses how women do not have a right to their bodies because of the power others have over them as Offred states “I am abject” (Atwood 331). Offred expresses the removal of her individuality, autonomy, and basic human rights.

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This essay is meant to demonstrate the types of fears featured in these compositions and how it affects the characters. Literary works like these illustrate how fear can have a powerful physical, psychological, and emotional grip on individuals. Fear can be a physically exhausting disadvantage for a human’s body. Too much fear

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In The Handmaid’s Tale, the oppression of women was the absolute first thing that stood out. The exposing of handmaids inabilities The women that were not able to produce babies such as Offred were sent to this Nazi type regimes called the colonies. There were Guardians or “secret police” watching all of the Handmaids at all times. The Republic of Gilead did something called “Men’s Salvaging”, which occurred when either men, but mostly women got penalized from doing something forbidden and they got hung and killed. Women weren’t able leave their households unless they were going shopping for food.

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Once a week, the Handmaids’ escort themselves with the assistance of Aunt Helena and Aunt Lydia to the Domestic Science room. The sensation of comfortness in this area does not alter the probability of an unpeaceful awakening. The maids are forced to view explicit movies which have the description of “Unwoman” and are taught that a woman who acts in this manner wastes valuable time in her life. Offred reminisces on the sickening explanation for the pressure of sitting through a screening without the chance of leaving when she speaks out saying, “ They want us to hear the screams and grunts and shrieks of what is supposed to be either extreme pain or extreme pleasure or both at once, but they don't want us to hear what the Unwomen are saying” (Atwood 138). These horrifying sounds are being engraved into the womens’ brains which will manifest a new fear.

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957 Words | 4 Pages

Atwood clearly emphasizes this point through the inclusion of Offred 's inner thoughts; which in turn, help to illuminate to the reader the process of this deterioration. Atwood also shows how the Republic of Gilead uses totalitarianism tactics, which parallel those used in North Korea, in order to remain in control. In The Handmaid’s tale, a dystopian novel, Margaret Atwood uses imagery and allusion throughout the novel to illustrate how the republic of Gilead uses techniques to deteriorate one 's mind in order to maintain their power. Throughout the dystopian country

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When analyzing The Handmaid’s Tale, as a whole, these past and present comparisons add reinforcement to the idea of taking action about societal issues, such as feminism, freedom, and individuality The comparisons add a sort of fear into the reader’s minds. Atwood s revealing how everything we take for granted could be gone in a split second. The little bit of hope Offred still has comes from her longing and love for her daughter and her husband

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Home Life In Colonial America Life in colonial America was different for each of the colonies, however, one thing remained the same: home life. Every person had a different job or task, whether it was on the farm, in the home, or elsewhere. Everything each person did made a huge difference in the home, community, and even the economy.

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Atwood describes the bathroom an area of vulnerability for the handmaids to emphasize their weakness. Repetition of “blue” (81) creates a cold atmosphere that is not suitable for the handmaids, who are represented by red, the color of warmth. Atwood demonstrates the disapproval of handmaids as a function of the government. The description of the bathroom provides setting that seems complete, but lacks a central component, a “mirror” (81).

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1888 Words | 8 Pages

The Fear Itself "Fear is a powerful stimulant" (Atwood 268). The novel Handmaid 's Tale is a story that takes place in a dystopian society where in order to increase the fertility rate women who are able to have children are distributed across the country and are encouraged to have babies from the Commanders. Like most of the dystopian novels, the focus of the story is how people are oppressed in the name of fear. Fear is used as a controlling mechanism to keep people in check and stop them from rising up. In the book, fear is too strong of a feeling that it creates the base of most of the emotions and actions.

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Often, we see a society’s cultural values reflected in its citizens. For example, the United States values equality, a standard that is shared in all facets including gender. The opposite is true of Gilead, a fictional society in Emily Bronte’s The Handmaid’s Tale. The novel’s main character, Offred, is subjected to degrading treatment simply because she is a woman. It becomes apparent that this repeated degradation has affected the protagonist’s mind.

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801 Words | 4 Pages

There are two ways people will react to when their freedom is taken away. They will either accept it or rebel against it, which is what a lot of the female characters in Margaret Atwood’s novel, The Handmaid’s Tale accomplished. Shown through Offred’s repetition of certain events, Moira’s tone of being a fighter, and Serena Joy’s desperation, the reader can see that lack of freedom leads to rebellion. Offred, the novel’s narrator, now lives in a world where women are powerless. She has had her freedom taken away, and at times follows the rules, but ends up rebelling in many powerful ways.

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783 Words | 4 Pages

The Handmaid’s are not only not allowed to touch the Commander during the process; they are not even allowed eye contact. This portrays the idea that the Handmaid’s are only there to provide sexual stimulation for the man, and is not allowed to take any sort of pleasure in the act. The Handmaid’s must remember, “For him …I am only a whim.” (Atwood 159). Another example of sexual dehumanization during the Ceremony is when Offred is “serviced” beforehand.

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1462 Words | 6 Pages

Through the character of Offred and the other handmaids, the novel portrays a society that seeks to control women's bodies, minds, and voices. However, the characters' unwavering determination and perseverance in the face of this oppression inspire readers to resist and fight for a better future. The relevance of the novel to modern society lies in its exploration of the political, economic, and social factors that give rise to totalitarianism and oppression. By examining these structures and systems, the novel offers insights into the root causes of these issues and invites readers to think critically about the world around

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711 Words | 3 Pages

Rebellion in The Handmaid’s Tale Imagine not being able to do what you used to do because some actions are forbidden in this new society. In the Handmaid's Tale, Gilead is a dystopian society where people are limited to certain actions. Throughout the story, Offred’s actions are rebellious because she has broken so many rules. Atwood demonstrates that restricted expression leads to rebellion by showing the Commanders and Offred’s affair developing throughout time and the actions of both characters.

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777 Words | 4 Pages

Margaret Atwood wrote about a fear that lives with many, not having any freedom. Offred is one of the thousands of people who have had their freedom taken from them. Her life revolves around keeping others content and doing what she is told, but she begins to get bored and curious. When this occurs, Offred begins to break the rules due to temptation which helps her realize everyone is doing so. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, demonstrates that a lack of freedom leads to a breaking of rules.

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