“Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people” - Karl Marx. Systematic oppression can be used to control the ways of society and get into the minds of civilians to “convert” to new methods of life. In the novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale”, by Margaret Atwood, civilians of lower class and women are targeted in the society, known as Gilead, to enforce laws put together by the upper class civilians. Individuals in this society are methodically persecuted through religious laws stripping minorities of their freedom of religion, women’s rights and the intense surveillance, reducing the power of intellect people have to make decisions for themselves.
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Contrary to the elites of Gilead that make sure that strict religious laws and concepts are integrated into the minds of lower class civilians to restrict the wanderence of the mind. For example, to convince and “prepare” the handmaid for the insemination ceremony, like when one of the bible verses reads “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Atwood 84). This quote reveals the mindset of Gilead and how they are being projected onto people of weaker class because they are easily manipulated, since they don't have the power to speak up. In this scene they depend on the bible to integrate their new social norms and dictate what is right from wrong. Furthermore, news is used as propaganda to fixate the idea of following the “right” religion (Atwood 79) by installing fear that those who differ and want to follow what they believe will be arrested. In addition, handmaids are trained to remember their purpose by feeling dependant on their God. For example they greet each other by “Blessed be the fruit” and responding with “May the lord open” (Atwood 19). Again, these phrases propagates their beliefs because they are using religion to define their purpose. Encouraging an environment that make sure that people can be psychologically trained to make sure that they do not change their beliefs religiously and keep their …show more content…
Offred observing moiras behaviour feel as if she is behaving out of control and describe it as
Contrary to the elites of Gilead that make sure that strict religious laws and concepts are integrated into the minds of lower class civilians to restrict the wanderence of the mind. For example, to convince and “prepare” the handmaid for the insemination ceremony, like when one of the bible verses reads “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Atwood 84). This quote reveals the mindset of Gilead and how they are being projected onto people of weaker class because they are easily manipulated, since they don't have the power to speak up. In this scene they depend on the bible to integrate their new social norms and dictate what is right from wrong. Furthermore, news is used as propaganda to fixate the idea of following the “right” religion (Atwood 79) by installing fear that those who differ and want to follow what they believe will be arrested. In addition, handmaids are trained to remember their purpose by feeling dependant on their God. For example they greet each other by “Blessed be the fruit” and responding with “May the lord open” (Atwood 19). Again, these phrases propagates their beliefs because they are using religion to define their purpose. Encouraging an environment that make sure that people can be psychologically trained to make sure that they do not change their beliefs religiously and keep their …show more content…
Offred observing moiras behaviour feel as if she is behaving out of control and describe it as