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Symbolism In The Handmaids Tale

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recorded by Offred found later. In an academic conference of the year 2195, historians discuss the authenticity of the Offred’s stories. I think the Handmaid’s Tale deals with problems that the modern society faces such as fundamentalism, extremism, and objectification of women in today’s society. Atwood’s portrayal of these problems in extreme circumstances functions as a warning to the society. It shows that serious consequences will occur if these problems stay unresolved. As a nation like the Republic of Gilead decides its policies based on biblical stories, it shows how extreme applications of those verses can lead to intrusion of human rights and degraded roles of women to only reproduce and nothing else. In addition, Atwood also focuses on the executions and persecution of women and constant efforts of these women to fight against the male-dominated society. Many of the characters such as Moira, Offred’s friend, Ofglen, another handmaid, Serena Joy and Offred, try to resist in her own way. Furthermore, I think there were many efforts by Atwood to use symbolism to represent motifs of the novel. For …show more content…

The reason for this is that there are hints that male dominance is prevalent in the post-Gileadean society. In the conference, male historians gather to decide the title of Offred’s record as “The Handmaid’s Tale” which was influenced by Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales.” There are male professors in the book that refuse to believe Offred’s record, which showed that Offred’s voice was not accepted and taken seriously. In addition, the unwillingness to accept Offred’s story reconfirmed patriarchal mindset that persisted to future generations. The interesting thing was that in the end the reluctant professor asks the audience if there are any questions, which serve as an open ending leaving the final say for the

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