The Struggle of Women
In the novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, the women in Gilead appear to have diminished rights and a limited amount of freedom. These women have lives that resemble a lifestyle similar to the women who lived prior to women’s suffrage, even though this novel takes place in a futuristic time. Some of these women, like Offred, remember the past and long for a time when they can be free again. However, for many of the women, they will never understand what it is like to obtain freedom in their lifetime. The women in Gilead are ultimately given two choices: to become a handmaid or to go to the Colonies. Within the Colonies, the women who cannot have children or chose not to reproduce are referred to as “Unwomen” …show more content…
Seemingly stuck in the past, Offred struggles to move on without knowing what really happened to them. The Handmaids, including Offred, are supposedly “more safe” in this society, but they are not free. The women must carry passes everywhere with them (p. 21). Also, the women are not allowed to travel on their own. Instead they must travel in a pair with another Handmaid (p. 17). For most of the Handmaids, this is their way of life, and they do not find it strange. However, Offred’s mind refers back to the past, and she cannot erase the memories that mean the most to her. Some of the most recurring dreams are those of Offred’s mother. Her mother, a feminist, seems to visit her frequently in her dreams or when Offred is sitting alone in her room. Offred’s mother fought for feminism in the past. Despite her actions, the women are not treated as equally as their male counterparts, and do not have the same rights. When hoping to communicate with her mother, Offred says, “Can you hear me? You wanted a women’s culture. Well, now there is one. It isn’t what you meant, but it exists. Be thankful for small mercies” (p. 127). One might find this strange, as the society of Gilead appears to be far from a women’s society. Instead of women being treated equally, the women are only used for “breeding purposes” and are essentially the property of their Commander (p. 136). This idea is contrary to many feminist beliefs, where women are given the choice to choose what they want to do with their
In the novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, the women in Gilead appear to have diminished rights and a limited amount of freedom. These women have lives that resemble a lifestyle similar to the women who lived prior to women’s suffrage, even though this novel takes place in a futuristic time. Some of these women, like Offred, remember the past and long for a time when they can be free again. However, for many of the women, they will never understand what it is like to obtain freedom in their lifetime. The women in Gilead are ultimately given two choices: to become a handmaid or to go to the Colonies. Within the Colonies, the women who cannot have children or chose not to reproduce are referred to as “Unwomen” …show more content…
Seemingly stuck in the past, Offred struggles to move on without knowing what really happened to them. The Handmaids, including Offred, are supposedly “more safe” in this society, but they are not free. The women must carry passes everywhere with them (p. 21). Also, the women are not allowed to travel on their own. Instead they must travel in a pair with another Handmaid (p. 17). For most of the Handmaids, this is their way of life, and they do not find it strange. However, Offred’s mind refers back to the past, and she cannot erase the memories that mean the most to her. Some of the most recurring dreams are those of Offred’s mother. Her mother, a feminist, seems to visit her frequently in her dreams or when Offred is sitting alone in her room. Offred’s mother fought for feminism in the past. Despite her actions, the women are not treated as equally as their male counterparts, and do not have the same rights. When hoping to communicate with her mother, Offred says, “Can you hear me? You wanted a women’s culture. Well, now there is one. It isn’t what you meant, but it exists. Be thankful for small mercies” (p. 127). One might find this strange, as the society of Gilead appears to be far from a women’s society. Instead of women being treated equally, the women are only used for “breeding purposes” and are essentially the property of their Commander (p. 136). This idea is contrary to many feminist beliefs, where women are given the choice to choose what they want to do with their