There are several elements from fairy tales that exist in the novel. Margaret Atwood has received a fantasy award for her pieces of work honoring her for her writing that makes it interesting to read. Similarly, after reading just a few pages of the novel, I see how elements of fairy tale are used in order to create a motif or morals like a fairy tale does. For example, as the author states, “…some fairy-tale figure in a red cloak, descending towards a moment of carelessness that is the same as danger” (Atwood, 9). In this line, Atwood is making reference to Little Red Riding Hood by stating a figure in red. In addition, as we see Offred going shopping with a basket in her hand it can be linked to Little Red Riding Hoods’ basket that she used on her path to the forest. Where
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As a reader, it can be concluded that like Red Riding Hood was running away from the danger which was the big bad wolf, similarly, Offred would run away from danger that we might see in the future since she already feels lost and powerless after looking at the mirror. This also explains that she has lost her identity and that’s the reason why she links herself to a fairy tale figure where everything is imaginary in the real world. Another fairy tale element that is evident is the connection between Cinderella and Offred. For example, as the author writes, “A bed. Single, mattress medium-hard, covered with a flocked white a flocked white spread. Nothing takes place in the bed but sleep; or no sleep. I try not to think too much. Like other things now, thought must be rationed” (Atwood, 8). This line is similar to the fairy tale character Cinderella, who had a bed made out of straw and slept in the attic, where her step sisters slept in wide beds. The similarities of the bed reveal how these two characters were controlled throughout their life by someone giving up their freedom to live, since Offred is also living in a Gilead community in the Commander’s
As a reader, it can be concluded that like Red Riding Hood was running away from the danger which was the big bad wolf, similarly, Offred would run away from danger that we might see in the future since she already feels lost and powerless after looking at the mirror. This also explains that she has lost her identity and that’s the reason why she links herself to a fairy tale figure where everything is imaginary in the real world. Another fairy tale element that is evident is the connection between Cinderella and Offred. For example, as the author writes, “A bed. Single, mattress medium-hard, covered with a flocked white a flocked white spread. Nothing takes place in the bed but sleep; or no sleep. I try not to think too much. Like other things now, thought must be rationed” (Atwood, 8). This line is similar to the fairy tale character Cinderella, who had a bed made out of straw and slept in the attic, where her step sisters slept in wide beds. The similarities of the bed reveal how these two characters were controlled throughout their life by someone giving up their freedom to live, since Offred is also living in a Gilead community in the Commander’s