Theme Of Naming In The Handmaid's Tale

Atwood’s emphasis on the act of naming illustrates the ways in which names and language create identities, as well as the challenges given to these identities. The fact that the society of Gilead names females based on their roles reveals how the act of naming coincides with how individuals identify themselves. For instance, the naming of the store ‘Milk and Honey’ as discussed above, already assumes a certain classification of people and creates a label for these individuals. Analysis of the naming in The Handmaid’s Tale is used to further understand the theme of oppression in which one can learn to inquire about the issue of representation, not only in the novel but also in their own society. The association for progressive communications …show more content…
There is an instance where Offred takes a word literal and overlooks the meaning; “I wait for the household to assemble. Household: that is what we are. The Commander is the head of the household. The house is what he holds. To have and to hold until death do us part” (Atwood, 1985). Offred plays with words to demonstrate that it is her role as a handmaid that allows her to interpret the word differently. Offred takes symbolic language literally and reveals how different the meaning is now to her as her life in Gilead also changes. The Commander is the “head”, in charge, but supported by a body, the members of the house. Atwood takes a seemingly neutral word like household and breaks it down turning it into a word with a negative connotation that means male dominance. Offred relates this new view of hold to the universally known wedding vows “to have and to hold,” questioning the romance of the words and if it still fits in with the new society. What was once held as a symbol of love is now reconstructed by language to something more spoiled. The acceptance of such lanaguge allows for sexism along with the rigid regime of Gilead to even exist. Growing accustomed to this world where language is dominated by men, women learn to adopt subservient roles; “Fraternize means …show more content…
Much of the gender inequality in language goes unnoticed, contributing organizations like the fictional Gilead. A closer look at the power of language would expose the danger in ignoring this power. Women are forced to participate in submissive roles through language because it requires an acceptance of the discourses chosen for them by oppressive male leaders. The Handmaid’s Tale has identified the ways in which language is used to construct beliefs. Gilead use of language to place individuals into specific gender roles affects members of society with an increase in fear. In addition, the use of language also affects the way in which individuals perceive themselves and society around them. The novel makes clear the ways in which language can be used as a persuasive device to force individuals into certain ideals, commanding how individuals behave and their perception. This shows how language operates to define identity. Overall, language can have different meaning, dependent on the context, and can result in ideas being altered. There are many totalitarian societies in the world, communist or religious extremist societies which have constant control on their citizens’ mind and behavior through the power of language. Through dystopias the author makes the readers to think about the hidden dangers in the society where they live. The main concerns in