The Handmaid's Tale: Rebellion Within A Dystopian Society

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The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood explores rebellion within a dystopian society. Offred’s duty as a handmaid is to become pregnant. At her doctor’s appointment, the doctor offers his assistance to get Offred pregnant which is forbidden within Gilead. Offred contemplates the idea, however she ultimately conforms to the rules of Gilead. Throughout her role as a handmaid, Offred wishes to steal. She wants to steal a knife and shears yet, she does not give in to her desire. Ofglen, Offred’s shopping partner informs Offred of the resistance occurring in Gilead. Before Offred becomes involved with Nick, she pays attention to Ofglen’s knowledge. Once Ofglen dies, Offred wishes she had not tuned out Ofglen. Offred, in spite of her inward questioning, …show more content…

During her doctor’s appointment, the doctor offers to help Offred get pregnant to ensure she is not stripped of her position as a handmaid. Offred is aware that allowing the doctor to impregnate her defies the rules of Gilead. She inwardly questions the offer presented to her, however she has “crossed no boundaries, I’ve given no trust, taken no risk, all is safe. It’s the choice that terrifies me. A way out, a salvation” (Atwood 69). Despite knowing that the doctor’s offer could help her, Offred denies it and does not rebel against the rules of Gilead. Offred’s outward conformity prevails against her inward questioning which reveals the ineffectiveness of rebellion. Offred wants a salvation, however “‘It’s too dangerous,’ I say. ‘No, I can’t.’ The penalty is death.” (68). She decides to outwardly conform due to the risks of rebelling regardless of her desire for a …show more content…

Stealing is against the laws of Gilead, but Offred still wants to steal. What she would “like to steal is a knife, from the kitchen” (112), instead she steals a dying flower. Her inward questioning brings her the desire to steal a knife to assist her, however Offred’s outward conformity stops her from stealing it due to the risks accompanied by the act. She steals the flower instead because it will not be missed. Offred does not completely rebel against the rules of Gilead as her outward conformity stops her from giving in to her inward questioning. Her desire to steal returns when what she “coveted was the shears” (175). Despite wanting the shears, Offred’s outward conformity prevails as she does not act on her longing. The ineffectiveness of Offred’s thoughts of rebelling against the rules of Gilead are due to her conforming to what is expected of her rather than acting upon her inward

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