Masculinity In The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid’s Tale shows a dystopian society in which men have a certain role in society. Those at the top of the hierarchy, like the Commander, support the current order of society, while Nick, a common man, questions his role. The Handmaid’s Tale portrays masculinity as a dominant and hyper-sexualized trait. The roles of Nick and the Commander in society show stratification within the male gender. Initially, the men appear to have dominion over the women. They are the ones in power, the heads of the household, like the Commander. The men act as guards and have access to upward mobility in society. Their ability to move is shown during the marriage ceremony, when Offred says that “The Angels will qualify for Handmaids, later, especially if their new wives can’t produce. But you girls are stuck,” (221). Contrary to those in power, Nick still adheres to their past societal values. The passing comments he makes towards Offred, saying “Nice walk?” while Offred replies “I nod, but I do not answer with my voice. He isn’t supposed to speak to me,” (45), which demonstrate how Nick disregards societal boundaries. The Commander at first plays a very different role. He appears secure in his dominion, believing that the women are now

Later chapters in the novel reveal a new side of the Commander’s character, one of forbidden loneliness. The Commander craves moments of intimacy, stolen in late night conversations and secret games of Scrabble. Even so, the Commander retains his sexual desires, and they appear as the driving force of all of his actions. Nick still treats Offred with respect; the Commander is not inherently sexual. The male characters adhere to many aspects of how their society defines masculinity, but none of them are able to do so perfectly, showing the reader that they are still