Underneath the color and beauty of flowers lurks a symbol that is representative of the abuse of the handmaids occurring in Gilead. The book The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood is a literary masterpiece containing a multitude of symbols concealed throughout the text, from the flowers to the clothes worn by the characters. These symbols are used to represent the purpose of the characters in Gilead, the setting of the book. The flowers are a symbol for the sole reproductive role of the handmaids and the colors are used to symbolize how the characters are meant to behave; red meaning fertile, white for purity, green for service, and blue for sadness.
Everything about the characters in The Handmaid’s Tale, from their names to their clothes, is used to symbolize their roles in the book, the handmaids’ apparel is no exception. The handmaids all wear the same clothes: a red, ankle length skirt, red gloves, and a white bonnet. The red of the handmaids’ clothes is described by Offred as “the color of blood, which defines us” (Atwood 8). The color of blood defines the handmaids because menstrual bleeding symbolizes fertility, which is what the handmaids are used for; they are nothing but baby-makers. Their fertile bodies are not the only aspects of the handmaids …show more content…
Martha was a woman who, when Jesus came to her house busied herself with housework (Templin 37). This name was specifically chosen for this class of women because all they do is housework, similar to the Martha in the bible. The Marthas’ green dresses also symbolize healing, as the Marthas would care for anyone sick in the house. The main character, Offred, addresses this when she says “[Martha is] in her usual Martha's dress, which is dull green, like a surgeon's gown of the time before” (Atwood 9). This ensures the connection between the Marthas and healing is solidified in the mind of the
Everything about the characters in The Handmaid’s Tale, from their names to their clothes, is used to symbolize their roles in the book, the handmaids’ apparel is no exception. The handmaids all wear the same clothes: a red, ankle length skirt, red gloves, and a white bonnet. The red of the handmaids’ clothes is described by Offred as “the color of blood, which defines us” (Atwood 8). The color of blood defines the handmaids because menstrual bleeding symbolizes fertility, which is what the handmaids are used for; they are nothing but baby-makers. Their fertile bodies are not the only aspects of the handmaids …show more content…
Martha was a woman who, when Jesus came to her house busied herself with housework (Templin 37). This name was specifically chosen for this class of women because all they do is housework, similar to the Martha in the bible. The Marthas’ green dresses also symbolize healing, as the Marthas would care for anyone sick in the house. The main character, Offred, addresses this when she says “[Martha is] in her usual Martha's dress, which is dull green, like a surgeon's gown of the time before” (Atwood 9). This ensures the connection between the Marthas and healing is solidified in the mind of the