Emma Hert Written Task One- The Handmaid’s Tale
Rationale:
I decided to write a short story for my Written Task One on The Handmaid’s Tale. This narrative differs vastly different from Offred’s perspective in the novel. This story is from the perspective of a Commander; however, this is a tale of a Commander who opposes the ideals of Gilead. The Commander, John, followed his brother into the society, repressing his true feelings. After witnessing his brother murder his Handmaid, he realizes he must create change, under the leadership of his wife. This is a narrative of people who actively rebel, rather than accepting their position, because they have the means to do it, by not being on the bottom of society.
Furthermore, John and his wife, …show more content…
Not much is known of the Commander’s family, besides his wife, so it is plausible for him to have a brother. These two characters also act as a foil as one another. Additionally, this story reflects the novel by conveying the theme of rebellion, which is present throughout the novel.
I chose to do a short story format because I wanted to have John look back on the thoughts and actions that lead him to rebel. A short story is a good format to display this, since it can display the arc of events leading to his decision to …show more content…
Then everything stopped. His breathing stopped. Bang! The woman he saw was his own brother’s handmaid. It was blurry from behind the curtain from where he hid, but he could clearly hear the gunshot ring loud and clearly and sea stream of red bathe her body, nearly inviable against the red of her handmaid’s dress. And he heard his own brothers sadistic chuckle.
He darted home as fast as he could, to the only place he could have a small piece of freedom. He entered his bedroom. Claudia was already there, clad in blue, as all wives were. In the time before she would have never been seen in a dress, she would always wear paint splattered jeans and flip flops, even in winter. But it’s all different now. He sighed and closed the doors, in case anyone was to listen in. He sighed.
“What happened?” she asked softly.
“I can’t take it anymore. He’s gone mad. They all have. I don’t know how much longer I can pretend anymore,” he paused for a moment before whispering, “He
Rationale:
I decided to write a short story for my Written Task One on The Handmaid’s Tale. This narrative differs vastly different from Offred’s perspective in the novel. This story is from the perspective of a Commander; however, this is a tale of a Commander who opposes the ideals of Gilead. The Commander, John, followed his brother into the society, repressing his true feelings. After witnessing his brother murder his Handmaid, he realizes he must create change, under the leadership of his wife. This is a narrative of people who actively rebel, rather than accepting their position, because they have the means to do it, by not being on the bottom of society.
Furthermore, John and his wife, …show more content…
Not much is known of the Commander’s family, besides his wife, so it is plausible for him to have a brother. These two characters also act as a foil as one another. Additionally, this story reflects the novel by conveying the theme of rebellion, which is present throughout the novel.
I chose to do a short story format because I wanted to have John look back on the thoughts and actions that lead him to rebel. A short story is a good format to display this, since it can display the arc of events leading to his decision to …show more content…
Then everything stopped. His breathing stopped. Bang! The woman he saw was his own brother’s handmaid. It was blurry from behind the curtain from where he hid, but he could clearly hear the gunshot ring loud and clearly and sea stream of red bathe her body, nearly inviable against the red of her handmaid’s dress. And he heard his own brothers sadistic chuckle.
He darted home as fast as he could, to the only place he could have a small piece of freedom. He entered his bedroom. Claudia was already there, clad in blue, as all wives were. In the time before she would have never been seen in a dress, she would always wear paint splattered jeans and flip flops, even in winter. But it’s all different now. He sighed and closed the doors, in case anyone was to listen in. He sighed.
“What happened?” she asked softly.
“I can’t take it anymore. He’s gone mad. They all have. I don’t know how much longer I can pretend anymore,” he paused for a moment before whispering, “He