Mayfair Rucker
Friday, December 1, 2017
C Block
Analysis of Language in The Handmaid’s Tale
There is a proverb that came to my mind when reading The Handmaid’s Tale: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” There is more to our language than strict grammar and spelling; words carry beliefs with them, and so they can harm or heal you at the deepest levels of your being. I was caught off guard with how well Atwood portrays this theme in The Handmaid’s Tale. While Gilead does use force to keep their citizens in check, they also clearly recognize the power that words possess and accordingly take that power away from women. As someone who has studied at private schools since pre-kindergarten, I have always been taught that intellect is an asset. …show more content…
Gilead deprives women of their individuality by classifying them based on the colors they wear. Offred, after noticing a mirror, sees herself “like a distorted shadow, a parody of something, some fairy-tale figure in a red cloak” (9). Women are no longer defined by any individual qualities, rather solely by their clothing. In this quote, Offred recognizes her reflection as a facade; she is isolated from her former self and now sees herself in relation to her red clothing. To further accomplish this complete obliteration of identity and simultaneously to promote Handmaids’ subservience to their Commanders, Gilead renames the Handmaids. When Ofglen is replaced with a “new” Ofglen, Offred reflects that, “And of course she is, the new one, and Ofglen, wherever she is, is no longer Ofglen” (283). Names are a representation of identity, and therefore their removal is also a removal of identity. Then, they are given titles taken from the names of their Commanders, defining them solely by the men who have control over them. Offred’s comment reveals how women are considered replaceable commodities and are given no acknowledgement of humanity. To further establish the subordinate position of women, Gilead removes certain words from their lexicon to blame all reproductive failures on women. While at her monthly doctor’s appointment, Offred mentions that “there is no such thing as a sterile man anymore, not officially. There are only women who are fruitful and women who are barren, that’s the law” (61). Offred’s sentiment reflects a patriarchal ideology that absolves men of any fault in reproduction, whether it be sterility or birth defects. As such, the societal pressure, expectations, and failures are forced onto the women. Through language, Gilead achieves human classification at an inconceivable level where individualism is close to
Friday, December 1, 2017
C Block
Analysis of Language in The Handmaid’s Tale
There is a proverb that came to my mind when reading The Handmaid’s Tale: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” There is more to our language than strict grammar and spelling; words carry beliefs with them, and so they can harm or heal you at the deepest levels of your being. I was caught off guard with how well Atwood portrays this theme in The Handmaid’s Tale. While Gilead does use force to keep their citizens in check, they also clearly recognize the power that words possess and accordingly take that power away from women. As someone who has studied at private schools since pre-kindergarten, I have always been taught that intellect is an asset. …show more content…
Gilead deprives women of their individuality by classifying them based on the colors they wear. Offred, after noticing a mirror, sees herself “like a distorted shadow, a parody of something, some fairy-tale figure in a red cloak” (9). Women are no longer defined by any individual qualities, rather solely by their clothing. In this quote, Offred recognizes her reflection as a facade; she is isolated from her former self and now sees herself in relation to her red clothing. To further accomplish this complete obliteration of identity and simultaneously to promote Handmaids’ subservience to their Commanders, Gilead renames the Handmaids. When Ofglen is replaced with a “new” Ofglen, Offred reflects that, “And of course she is, the new one, and Ofglen, wherever she is, is no longer Ofglen” (283). Names are a representation of identity, and therefore their removal is also a removal of identity. Then, they are given titles taken from the names of their Commanders, defining them solely by the men who have control over them. Offred’s comment reveals how women are considered replaceable commodities and are given no acknowledgement of humanity. To further establish the subordinate position of women, Gilead removes certain words from their lexicon to blame all reproductive failures on women. While at her monthly doctor’s appointment, Offred mentions that “there is no such thing as a sterile man anymore, not officially. There are only women who are fruitful and women who are barren, that’s the law” (61). Offred’s sentiment reflects a patriarchal ideology that absolves men of any fault in reproduction, whether it be sterility or birth defects. As such, the societal pressure, expectations, and failures are forced onto the women. Through language, Gilead achieves human classification at an inconceivable level where individualism is close to