Leadership In The Handmaid

Offred is a rebellious individual who makes a habit of breaking the rules just for her own pleasure. Furthermore, the novel takes place in the Republic of Gilead, which is located in the United States and is a totalitarian society. Has multiple rules that restrict the lives of many people in the Republic. The Commander or the highest one in control, is the leader of the Republic. Within the Republic there are Handmaids, Aunts, and many more. Due to the strict leadership of the Commander, many people of Gilead are going to turn rebellious. Atwood’s Novel proves that strict leadership can lead to rebellious acts as shown through the symbolism of the word “Mayday”, the Commander breaking his own rules, and the narrator’s only way of having fun

People who were rebels such as the Narrator and Ofglen used this code. One example was when Ofglen tells the narrator, “It’s a beautiful May day”. (Atwood 43). The Narrator at the time did not know what the phrase meant. She was thinking of what it could mean and and went into depth about the usage of the word. She remembered that the word would be used as a distress call.This symbolizes the word Mayday as a distress call or code in order to talk to a former rebel. Mayday is such an important word for the the rebels. If anyone found out the sole purpose of the word many rebels may get exposed or executed. When the narrator and Ofglen meet, the narrator questions Ofglen, “A password?” I ask. “What for?” “So you can tell,” she says. “Who is and who isn’t.” “Mayday,” she says. “I tried it on you once.” “Mayday,” I repeat” “ Don’t use it unless you have to”(Atwood 202). The word “Mayday” can only be used wisely and not for granted as Ofglen previously stated. If the narrator or any other rebel get caught saying the word repeatedly, the purpose of the word is going to be solved. This word is a symbol to the rebels due to the discretion and purpose it