Manipulation In The Handmaid's Tale By Margaret Atwood

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood shows us that power leads to manipulation. The ones who are in charge, in a higher position manipulate those who seek a thrill in doing something risky to their advantage. In the Novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood we notice what happens when those in charge manipulate others to their advantage such as when the doctor tries to manipulate Offred into doing something she is against of, the commander forcing Offred to have an affair with him, and seeing Nick behind his back encouraged by Serena Joy. Throughout the story we see that everything revolves around power and those who are in charge breaking the rules they created. Power leads to manipulation we see this in “The Handmaid’s Tale” with the commander, Serena Joy, and the doctor at The Red Center. The doctor at the Red Center uses his power of being at a higher rank than Offred to try and take advantage of her. When Offred goes to get her regular check up at the doctor's office and he finds out that she still is not pregnant and her time is almost …show more content…
I’ve helped others.” (Atwood 60). The doctor is telling Offred that he could help her get pregnant if she is having trouble. He explains to her that he has done it before with other patients. The doctor tries to take advantage of Offred because she is already there with him and he has power over her in that moment. After she refuses he explains that he has done it before and they will not get caught, as if she is afraid of that. “He’s taken off the glove. The door’s locked. No one will come in. They’ll never know it isn’t his” (Atwood 60). The doctor continues to try and convince Offred to go against the rules. He tries to make her feel better by letting her know that it is not the first time that he has done that. He is trying to manipulate her into doing something for her “own good” that really is more beneficial for himself. He acts like he wants to help her but he is actually helping