Identity In The Handmaids Tale

A loss of one’s self-worth and identity is a direct result of conforming to a dystopian society. Margaret Atwood showcases the emotional change one experiences when pinned amongst the unfavorable standards of a dystopia. The main character of The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred, has her identity stripped by the Gilead government. The dystopian society revokes her of the ethical morals she was once entitled to. Thus, Offred undergoes a transformation of identities, creating two separate identities within one mind. Her former self was identified with the use of her name, the dystopian version lacks this sense of selfhood derived from her name and encourages a burdensome past, as Offred is faced with the unwanted toll her memories entail. Overall, her

Offred is dehumanized by society, causing her to relate her existence to that of inanimate objects. The handmaids are seen as sisters dipped in blood and categorized and treated as objects; they are seen as a collective unit with no identity unique to one person. Offred alludes to the dehumanization in this manner when she states, “one and one and one and one don’t equal four. Each one remains unique, there is no way of joining them together. They cannot be exchanged, one for the other. They cannot replace each other. Nick for Luke or Luke for Nick.” (Atwood 192). Offred acknowledges the dehumanization that occurs through collectively appropriating the handmaids. She sides with the concept that “one remains unique” and that the “joining” of individuals into a collective one is unrealistic and merely impossible. She hints to her interpretation of the meaning of having a name when she uses “Nick for Luke or Luke for Nick,” proving that two different names mean two different things and cannot coincide as one. The dehumanization of women has derailed Offred within the constraints of the dystopian society but has not caused her to neglect her past morals. Offred conforms to society publicly, but internally Offred has not fully “let herself go.” She demonstrates her deeper thoughts on meaning of names when she states, “My name isn’t Offred, I have another

However, Offred makes it clear that she is still holding on to that name and not fully conforming to society. Although difficult to find a medium between the two selves, Offred manages not to accept the dystopian version of herself but portray to society that she has. Offred shows us the inner mechanisms of her mind by avoiding the use of her name. The government removes their names to dehumanize them and Offred doesn’t say the name because she doesn’t conform to it. Thus, showing a silent rebellion and minute longing for the