Examples Of Individualism In The Handmaids Tale

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Thesis
Throughout the novel, The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood makes many connections to the destruction of individuality; The characters names, living in a futuristic theocratic society, references how an individual is stripped of things that define them as who they are. Atwoods attention to these connections are to enhance the readers understanding of the novel and further reveal ……………………..

Background
In the novel The Handmaid's Tale, even the powerful live unsatisfying lives. However the handmaid’s have it the worst, confined to a house and only allowed to leave on various occasions for example the grocery store, ceremonies when about to engage in sex, and executions. It’s safe to say the handmaids have it worst than most. Being trapped by their so low on the social status and having fertile bodies, these poor women don’t get to live the happily life that most aspire to have. Having fertile body enforces them to be giving to “commanders” so they can have children for other families which ultimately is what confines them and strips them of their freedom. When the handmaid’s become pregnant, if they do, they reward is not to be
Witt 2 executed. But since they have the gift of being fertile their really is no reward because they have to stay in the house with the commander and are forced to give birth.

Setting
The setting takes place in The Republic of Gilead, what used to be a democratic government has been overthrown and replaced by a totalitarian one. A now alternative futuristic state. What makes the town of Gilead so terrifying to the people is that it looks the same. Reminding them of the past when there freedom wasn't taken away. However this new futuristic society seems to permeate most of everyones psyches, “T...

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... beautiful as a flower can’t always hide the awful way some things are. For Offred, stuck in this dreadful place where just about everything was taken away from her, it would almost be adding insult to hide the horrible place she now lives in and the emptiness she now feels, “i wish this story were different. I wish it were more civilized. I wish it showed me in a better light” (267). It seems almost impossible for Offred to put forth positive images, she tells the story how it is, no sugar coating.

Conclusion
Dystopian societies can craft horrifying and unexpected roles for the people that become subservient within them. Women can serve different masters, and those masters may direct them differently than if they were in full possession of free will. These women have hopes and desires that are subjugated by the constructs of an environment beyond their control.

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