The Handmaid's Tale By Margaret Atwood

In the novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood, the idea that women are to be submissive in a male-dominated society is expressed. While this may seem like an anti-feminist ideology, it is the opposite. Instead of shedding light on the uplifting of women, Atwood explores the idea of what would happen to women in a male-dominated world, and how we would be negatively affected. The first way women are made to be submissive to men in their society is through their clothing. Women wear extremely modest clothing, not even showing their faces to the men. They are even made to wear different colors that represent their role in the world. Men are not made to have any clothing restrictions at all or restrict themselves in any way. Instead, the

Margaret Atwood writes, “The spectacles women used to make of themselves. Oiling themselves like roast meat on a spit, and bare backs and shoulders, on the street, in public, and legs, not even stockings on them, no wonder these things used to happen.” This quote represents the way men in Gilead have brainwashed women into submission. If women fear that it is their fault they are taken advantage of, the fear can be utilized to manipulate them. Another way women are forced into submission in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is through lack of education. In Gilead, women cannot read or write. This is perfect for men who want a submissive woman. The less women know, the less likely they are to fight back. Not only this, but women cannot record their history either. The quote, “Maybe I don’t really want to know what’s going on”. Maybe I’d rather not know. Maybe I couldn’t bear to know. The fall is a fall from innocence to knowledge.” This quote shows that in this society, ignorance is bliss, ignorance is innocence, and ignorance is submission. In this troubled world, the more women know, the more they realize how badly they are being treated. This is not ideal for the men who want to