17. “Professor Pieixoto scarcely needs any introduction, as he is well known…and the well-known study ‘Iran and Gilead: Two Late-Twentieth-Century Monotheocracies, as Seen Through Diaries.’”(Page 300)
The “Historical Notes” begin with a notation of the studies Professor Pieixoto has been involved with. One of these studies is a comparison between the Iranian government of the late 20th century to Atwood’s Republic of Gilead. In the late 20th century, the government of Iran was very conservative. Women were under heavy restrictions (i.e. not a lot of freedom with their clothes or what they did). Furthermore, the Iranian government denied that the Holocaust happened and attempted to hide historic events from the Iranian people. In Atwood’s novel, the government tries to hide the past before the Republic of Gilead was created.
“Iran in the 20th Century.” Emayzine 2001. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. http://www.emayzine.com/lectures/Iran20Century.html.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Handmaid's Tale (pg. 307)
16. “Our big mistake was teaching them how to read. We won’t do that again.” (Page 307):
This passage is taken from the historical notes, which serves as an afterward. Atwood once again addresses the idea that reading serves as a control in a dystopian state. Reading gives you access to power and knowledge. When you limit knowledge, you will have control. According to Socyberty, totalitarian governments often come to power through tactics such as "propaganda, indoctrination, and censorship." Atwood embraces this control throughout the novel. The control over reading and knowledge is an example of the censorship seen in a totalitarian government.
"The Rise of Totalitarian Governments | Socyberty." Socyberty | Society on the Web. Web. 03 June 2010. http://socyberty.com/history/the-rise-of-totalitarian-governments/.
This passage is taken from the historical notes, which serves as an afterward. Atwood once again addresses the idea that reading serves as a control in a dystopian state. Reading gives you access to power and knowledge. When you limit knowledge, you will have control. According to Socyberty, totalitarian governments often come to power through tactics such as "propaganda, indoctrination, and censorship." Atwood embraces this control throughout the novel. The control over reading and knowledge is an example of the censorship seen in a totalitarian government.
"The Rise of Totalitarian Governments | Socyberty." Socyberty | Society on the Web. Web. 03 June 2010. http://socyberty.com/history/the-rise-of-totalitarian-governments/.
Handmaid's Tale (pg. 275)
15. “This she takes an undue length of time to unfold and scan. She’s rubbing our noses in it, letting us know exactly who she is, making us watch her as she silently read, flaunting her prerogative.” (Page 275):
In this excerpt, Atwood address two of her main themes: how a totalitarian state works and control through the power of reading. Offred is at a gathering where women will be punished for crimes they have committed. Atwood describes the frustration and anger that Offred feels for Aunt Lydia. Aunt Lydia is allowed to read and write because she has special privileges. The totalitarian government maintained control not only through surveillance, information control and torture but also by keeping the people in charge happy and giving them the illusion of power. Furthermore, in dystopian areas language plays a big part of control. If people can not read, they will not be educated. If people are not informed, they will not know what is going on. If people cannot read, they will not get any ideas. They will be more easily controlled.
In this excerpt, Atwood address two of her main themes: how a totalitarian state works and control through the power of reading. Offred is at a gathering where women will be punished for crimes they have committed. Atwood describes the frustration and anger that Offred feels for Aunt Lydia. Aunt Lydia is allowed to read and write because she has special privileges. The totalitarian government maintained control not only through surveillance, information control and torture but also by keeping the people in charge happy and giving them the illusion of power. Furthermore, in dystopian areas language plays a big part of control. If people can not read, they will not be educated. If people are not informed, they will not know what is going on. If people cannot read, they will not get any ideas. They will be more easily controlled.
Handmaid's Tale (pg. 269)
14. “It makes me feel more in control, as if there is a choice, a decision that could be made one way or the other.” (Page 269):
Atwood wrote Handmaid’s Tale in the 1980’s during the anti-feminist backlash in which feminists were criticized for breaking the female tradition of a housewife. Atwood’s main themes include sexual power struggle and struggle for control. Women struggle for a sense of power. Atwood’s novel is set in a female dystopia. Females have very limited rights depending on their social status. Women struggle for anything that makes them feel as if they have control over their lives.
“Powell’s Books-Review-a-Day-The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Reviewed by Powells.com” Powell’s Books – Used, New and Out of Print – We Buy and Sell. Web. 25 April 2010. http://www.powells.com/review/2005_08_13.html.
Atwood wrote Handmaid’s Tale in the 1980’s during the anti-feminist backlash in which feminists were criticized for breaking the female tradition of a housewife. Atwood’s main themes include sexual power struggle and struggle for control. Women struggle for a sense of power. Atwood’s novel is set in a female dystopia. Females have very limited rights depending on their social status. Women struggle for anything that makes them feel as if they have control over their lives.
“Powell’s Books-Review-a-Day-The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Reviewed by Powells.com” Powell’s Books – Used, New and Out of Print – We Buy and Sell. Web. 25 April 2010. http://www.powells.com/review/2005_08_13.html.
Handmaid's Tale (pg. 221)
13. “And Adam was not deceived, but the women being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved by childbearing.” (Page 221):
Atwood makes many religious references through her novel. This quote is part of what rulers of Gilead use to support the Republic of Gilead and its rituals. Women are not allowed to read. This is sort of a blind faith to the listeners since they do not get to see it or read anything other than what is read to them. In the past, the bible was only printed in Latin; old Catholic preists took advantage of bible because people did not know what the text really said- only what was told to them. The Republic of Gilead does this once again; only the Commander is allowed to read passages of the bible to listeners before rituals; only Aunt Lydia is allowed to read commandments before executions. Furthermore, this restriction mirrors the media that is broadcasted to viewers in the Republic of Gilead. Viewers only get to see what the leaders want them to see. This ties back to Atwood’s theme of control throughout the novel.
“Tudors – Protestant or Catholic.” History on the Net Main Page. Web. 25 April 2010. http://www.historyonthenet.com/Tudors/protestant_catholic.htm.
Atwood makes many religious references through her novel. This quote is part of what rulers of Gilead use to support the Republic of Gilead and its rituals. Women are not allowed to read. This is sort of a blind faith to the listeners since they do not get to see it or read anything other than what is read to them. In the past, the bible was only printed in Latin; old Catholic preists took advantage of bible because people did not know what the text really said- only what was told to them. The Republic of Gilead does this once again; only the Commander is allowed to read passages of the bible to listeners before rituals; only Aunt Lydia is allowed to read commandments before executions. Furthermore, this restriction mirrors the media that is broadcasted to viewers in the Republic of Gilead. Viewers only get to see what the leaders want them to see. This ties back to Atwood’s theme of control throughout the novel.
“Tudors – Protestant or Catholic.” History on the Net Main Page. Web. 25 April 2010. http://www.historyonthenet.com/Tudors/protestant_catholic.htm.
Handmaid's Tale (pg. 210)
12. “The problem wasn’t only with the women, he says. The main problem was with the men. There was nothing for them anymore . . . I’m not talking about sex, he says. That was part of it, the sex was too easy…You know what they were complaining about the most? Inability to feel. Men were turning off on sex, even. They were turning off on marriage. Do they feel now? I say. Yes, he says, looking at me. They do.” (Page 210):
In this passage Atwood depicts the Commander attempting to justify the creation of Gilead. The Commander states that because women had become equal to men and because sex was so easily accessible that men had lost their meaning. His justification may seem noble to him, however, the price of men feeling important has cost the happiness and freedom of both men and women. Atwood expresses that true happiness comes from freedom not the importance of control.
In this passage Atwood depicts the Commander attempting to justify the creation of Gilead. The Commander states that because women had become equal to men and because sex was so easily accessible that men had lost their meaning. His justification may seem noble to him, however, the price of men feeling important has cost the happiness and freedom of both men and women. Atwood expresses that true happiness comes from freedom not the importance of control.
Handmaid's Tale (pg. 145- 146)
11. “He was not a monster, to her. Probably he had some endearing trait: he whistled, off-key, in the shower, he had a yen for truffles, he called his dog Liebchen and made it sit up for little pieces of raw steak. How easy it is to invent a humanity, for anyone at all. What an available temptation.” (Pages 145-146):
In this narrative Atwood contrasts the Commander to a Nazi concentration camp worker. Offred is the mistress of the Commander; the Nazi worker had a mistress as well. Offred is depicted remembering that the German mistress said that the Nazi worker was not evil. Offred struggles with her situation. Although the Commander is nice to her and provides her with entertainment, he is also the creator of her unhappiness and struggles. Atwood depicts Offred attempting to make the best of her situation and yet knowing that her excuses are illusions.
In this narrative Atwood contrasts the Commander to a Nazi concentration camp worker. Offred is the mistress of the Commander; the Nazi worker had a mistress as well. Offred is depicted remembering that the German mistress said that the Nazi worker was not evil. Offred struggles with her situation. Although the Commander is nice to her and provides her with entertainment, he is also the creator of her unhappiness and struggles. Atwood depicts Offred attempting to make the best of her situation and yet knowing that her excuses are illusions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)