Dystopian Critical Analysis
“Whether this is my end or a new beginning I have no way of knowing” (Atwood 295). In Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale a young women named Offred is trapped in a dystopian microcosm being forced to do the unthinkable. In the United States an outbreak of syphilis occurred causing many people to become infertile. The population is declining and the country is scared as a whole. Then, a group of extremists break into the congress building during a session and kill everyone inside; as well they kill the president and the vice president. A new group of people called Gileadians takes over and changes the country substantially. The fertile women are forced to sleep with Commanders who are fertile to produce “the …show more content…
If you don’t follow the strict social normality, you will be either killed or sent off to the Colonies. Offred often steals minor things from the Commander and Serena Joy that may seem small, yet stealing these things can get her killed. “There’s a pat of butter on the side of the plate. I tear off a corner of the paper napkin, wrap the butter in it, take it to the cupboard and slip it into the toe of my right shoe, from the extra pair, as I have done before” (Atwood 66). In this line, Offred steals butter and uses it for lotion to moisturize her face since she has no access to lotion. Offred also steals a flower from Serena Joy because she wants something to call her own. Stealing is considered unorthodox and is punishable by death or by being sent to the colonies, which in the end may be worse then death. Offred is also unorthodox with her emotions, she has feelings for Nick yet she is still married and sleeps with the Commander. “I went back to Nick. Time after time, on my own, without Serena knowing” (Atwood 268). Serena Joy wants Offred to sleep with Nick because she wants a baby very badly. Offred is somewhat angered by this deal with Serena because she already had feelings for Nick, but now Nick is being paid to sleep with her. She knows if the Commander catches her with Nick, the Eyes will arrest her. This is one of the biggest unorthodox decisions she makes in this entire novel, as well; her …show more content…
Fred the commander’s duty with a handmaid is strictly business. His objective is to produce a baby with the handmaid and that’s all, no romance or emotions. Even though Fred knows his expectations, he makes unorthodox advances towards Offred. Offred learns of this one night when she’s wandering the house and runs into Nick. “Nick says. “He wants to see you. In his office”” (Atwood 99). Fred is lonely and wants to have more interaction with Offred. He knows this is against the laws but he willing to take chances to satisfy his emotional needs. As well, the Commander is unorthodox in the way he provides Offred with gifts. The commander’s relationship with a handmaid is supposed to be strictly business, yet he gives her gifts. “They were once common enough. It was a magazine” (Atwood 156). Fred knows Offred isn’t allowed to read, or receive gifts from him, yet he still goes through with giving her magazines and books. This is very unorthodox in which the commander could be killed if his wife found out. As you can see, Fred Moira and Offred are very
“Whether this is my end or a new beginning I have no way of knowing” (Atwood 295). In Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale a young women named Offred is trapped in a dystopian microcosm being forced to do the unthinkable. In the United States an outbreak of syphilis occurred causing many people to become infertile. The population is declining and the country is scared as a whole. Then, a group of extremists break into the congress building during a session and kill everyone inside; as well they kill the president and the vice president. A new group of people called Gileadians takes over and changes the country substantially. The fertile women are forced to sleep with Commanders who are fertile to produce “the …show more content…
If you don’t follow the strict social normality, you will be either killed or sent off to the Colonies. Offred often steals minor things from the Commander and Serena Joy that may seem small, yet stealing these things can get her killed. “There’s a pat of butter on the side of the plate. I tear off a corner of the paper napkin, wrap the butter in it, take it to the cupboard and slip it into the toe of my right shoe, from the extra pair, as I have done before” (Atwood 66). In this line, Offred steals butter and uses it for lotion to moisturize her face since she has no access to lotion. Offred also steals a flower from Serena Joy because she wants something to call her own. Stealing is considered unorthodox and is punishable by death or by being sent to the colonies, which in the end may be worse then death. Offred is also unorthodox with her emotions, she has feelings for Nick yet she is still married and sleeps with the Commander. “I went back to Nick. Time after time, on my own, without Serena knowing” (Atwood 268). Serena Joy wants Offred to sleep with Nick because she wants a baby very badly. Offred is somewhat angered by this deal with Serena because she already had feelings for Nick, but now Nick is being paid to sleep with her. She knows if the Commander catches her with Nick, the Eyes will arrest her. This is one of the biggest unorthodox decisions she makes in this entire novel, as well; her …show more content…
Fred the commander’s duty with a handmaid is strictly business. His objective is to produce a baby with the handmaid and that’s all, no romance or emotions. Even though Fred knows his expectations, he makes unorthodox advances towards Offred. Offred learns of this one night when she’s wandering the house and runs into Nick. “Nick says. “He wants to see you. In his office”” (Atwood 99). Fred is lonely and wants to have more interaction with Offred. He knows this is against the laws but he willing to take chances to satisfy his emotional needs. As well, the Commander is unorthodox in the way he provides Offred with gifts. The commander’s relationship with a handmaid is supposed to be strictly business, yet he gives her gifts. “They were once common enough. It was a magazine” (Atwood 156). Fred knows Offred isn’t allowed to read, or receive gifts from him, yet he still goes through with giving her magazines and books. This is very unorthodox in which the commander could be killed if his wife found out. As you can see, Fred Moira and Offred are very