In the novel, Atwood uses the character of Dr. Jordan to be a representative of this patriarchal society and he ensures that women are conforming certain roles and they are not trying out new roles. Lydia, who is one of the Governor’s wife’s two daughters is a young teenager who is transitioning to become a woman, is willing to try out new roles as she has a huge interest in Grace Mark’s case. This interest makes her wish she had attended James McDermott’s execution but Dr. Jordan refuses her to watch an execution. “‘I would have attended it if I had been there,’ says Miss. Lydia…‘But I wouldn’t have allowed my sister to attend, supposing I had one’…‘women should not attend such grisly spectacles,’ he says. ‘They pose a danger to their refined
