Turning Point In The Handmaid's Tale

This quote highlights a turning point in the novel where the reader finds out Offred is not just a mindless handmaiden who is following the rules set by the Gilead. By using phrases such as “I’m not ashamed after all,” and “I enjoy the power,” Atwood highlights how Offred is against the society she was forced into and showcases feminism in this strict patriarchal society of a dystopian America. This quote starts the turning point in the novel by allowing for the reader to discover that Offred will somehow disband from the herd mentality of this society and find a path to freedom; likewise, by using such vulgar and harsh language one discovers that Offred is not as innocent and maiden like as she appears. This quote showcases the feministic

aspects that will later impact decisions made by Offred throughout the novel and the fact that Offred is not just an object for men’s pleasure but an intelligent woman.

Atwood in this excerpt reveals to the readers that Offred’s daughter is not actually dead, but in fact alive. This highlights that this society is very extreme to the degree that they take away mothers from children and tell them it is better to think that they are dead, which shows that this society is corrupt for breaking something so sacred as the bond between mother and child. Furthermore, this showcases that Offred does in fact wish to see her daughter again and brings forth a willingness to the novel’s plot by making Offred have something worth getting out of this coercive life for, to be reunited with her daughter. Likewise, by Offred released the fact that she has a daughter, this brings a weakness to her character by showing she in fact does have something to live for, which can be seen later on in the novel. By the use of the rhetorical questions in this quote, Atwood leads the readers to empathize with Offred , for she does not know where her daughter is and what has happened to her, and creating a sense of suspense to find out what has happened to her daughter and if Offred will ever see her again.
Atwood shocks the reader by introducing them to the work of the handmaidens who are meant to provider there Commander and Wife with a child.

Phrases such as “fucking the lower part of my body,” “one is involved,” and “nor does rape cover it” are bold and straightforward highlight to severity of this society with its enforcement of strict patriarchal systems and beliefs. Continuing these phrase introduce Offred’s disgust with this society, for she is being used to try and provide a child to this man and his wife. This excerpt further highlights and moves along the plot of the novel by adding to Offred’s distain of this society and further pushing along Offred’s somewhat hidden feminist agenda to get out of this society and find her husband, Luke and daughter. Likewise, this passage suggest to the audience that today in modern times women are seen as pieces of meat that are only used for carrying children, showcasing that to a degree our societies are still heavily patriarchal, and that we need feminist ideas and concepts to be molded into society in order for women to become equal to men. Atwood not only leaves the reader to empathize with Offred and her purpose in society, but leaves the reader to question the purpose and views in society today in the modern

era.

This excerpt is the first time seen in the novel where Offred starts to think about killing the Commander to try and escape to freedom. By using the phrase “sexual, over my hands,” one can infer that Offred would take pleasure from killing the Commander because sexual brings forth pleasure; on the other hand, sexual can be seen as sinful which can also suggest that by killing the Commander Offred would have a murder on her hands, a sin. Thus this quote leaves the reader to understand whether Offred would murder the Commander and gain freedom, or is merely daydreaming about the thought, too scared to commit such a sinful act. This quote further highlights the plot of the novel, of Offred gaining freedom because it demonstrates that Offred is almost desperate enough to take action in order to gain freedom, even though there could be extreme consequences which could lead to her demise. One is left to question to what extent is Offred willing to deviate from societal norms in order to gain her freedom and reunite with her husband and daughter.
Since the novel is told by Offred, a handmaiden, this quote showcases an insight into the male’s thoughts behind this situation. This shocks the audience because it show the corrupt thoughts held by many men in this society by saying “nature demands variety for men,” suggesting that monogamy is not natural right for men; however, monogamy is natural for women. Atwood showcases to the reader the strict patriarchal society by having the Commander say such ignorant and misogynistic phrases which depict strict social constructs. Likewise this quote suggests a common flaw with modern society, how men are not shamed for being promiscuous and having many sexual encounters and partners, the word player being used as a trophy to getting many women. However, double standards exist; women who are promiscuous and have many sexual partners are considered sluts, shamed by being called such words as loose showcasing how misogynistic and patriarchal modern society is. Men and women should be treated as equals, which means being equally judged in every way possible including on a sexual level, for does it really concern everyone who has sex with who and how many partners someone has. By Atwood having the Commander say this she not only suggests how corrupt this society is, but how corrupt our society is by always trying to put women down in every way possible, while on the other side of the double standard trying to push men up in every way possible.