ipl-logo

What Is The Abuse Of Power In The Handmaid's Tale

1257 Words6 Pages

In dystopian literature, the incorrect and improper use of law to further dictatorial objectives are frequently shown. It serves as a stern warning of the potential repercussions of permitting individuals in positions of authority to take advantage of the legal system. A great example of this concept is The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. The use of a religiously influenced legal system to oppress people serves to highlight the divergence between the actual goal of a legal system and how these laws are actually carried out in the book. A dystopic setting accentuates this as well as Atwood's use of literary devices including irony, metaphor, repetition, and imagery. This essay will evaluate Atwood's criticism of how persons in prominent …show more content…

Law is used by nations like North Korea, China, and Russia to control their citizens. Some nations use the law to enslave their citizens despite not adhering to spiritual principles. For instance, the "social credit system" in China is used to monitor and regulate citizen behaviour, whereas the judicial system in North Korea is employed to uphold social power. Examples include the use of force by the state, arbitrary or illegal executions, torture, cruel, brutal, or degrading treatment or punishment, severe and potentially lethal jail conditions, and so on. When we look more closely at the Middle East, the connections between Margaret Atwood's writing and, for example, Afghanistan become clearer. The public's beliefs can be influenced by a faith, and fear can be used to prevent people from expressing opposing views. the expectations placed on women's clothing and how they are perceived as inferior humans. These norms, laws, and rules all seem to be rather familiar, they seem almost identical to the ones from the book. Our current reality is not all that different from Atwood's ideas in The Handmaid's Tale. However, it is possible to interpret Atwood's literary work as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing those in positions of authority to abuse the legal system. The book challenges readers to think carefully about the law and how it is applied, especially …show more content…

The handmaids' blood-red aprons represent their fertility and function as the ruling class's reproductive organs. This symbolism puts the focus on how the law is applied to control female bodies in the story. Atwood uses vivid images to explain how the legal system is used to control women's body. For instance, the "ceremony" description paints a disturbing image of how the legislation is applied to prevent women from using birth control. Even though the term "ceremony" seems to be kind and innocent, it actually serves to hide the fact that women are raped by symbolising something holy. Because Atwood skilfully employs these literary devices, this abuse of authority is expertly shown in every chapter of her

Open Document