In Gilead being a handmaid means that Offred is stripped of her former normality, she is no longer able to do the simplest of things, such as reading, due to the oppressive policies of the Republic. Through Offred’s role as a handmaid Atwood shows us that she can no longer express who she truly is, or was, before the takeover of the regime even her name is taken from her and changed to that of her 'owner' - the Commander. Gilead tries to indoctrinate all the women who are to become handmaids, that being a handmaid is their only use and their only form of identity is their bodies, which they must use to the benefit of the regime or suffer the consequences. Atwood shows us how Offred, reconstructs her physical and psychological identity including how her identity is effected by how she is perceived by other characters involved in the regime. Being reduced to the role of a handmaid has meant Offred's physical identity has been severely altered from how it was in her past life, Atwood presents her attempts reconstruct her physical identity under the supervision of the regime throughout the novel.
Women were discouraged for their struggle of independence. It was purely a man dominated society who wanted to keep them oppressed. They always used to keep women dependent so that they may not violate the established rules of that time masculine society. Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre in such time to give vent to female voice for independence. She injected this feature into her protagonist Jane Eyre.
We do not expect the women Kemp describes to survive the tortures of the gang, for example having to either be beaten up or continuously raped for the rest of their life, but there’s an argument that assumes they are already surviving. The fact that they are going through this pain shows their means of survival in their culture, but it contradictory to this, perhaps the women have a lack of survival for not taking action against the pain inflicted on them by the gang. Following this, the use of the third person singular ‘she’ and third person singular possessive, ‘her’ imply an inferiority with
Atwood presents the female characters as being both oppressed and dehumanised through how their freedom being stripped from them. An example of this is how they are no longer allowed to smoke cigarettes due to the potential harm it can cause their pregnancy. Woman are protected in Gilead however this also means that they must submit to the state-sanctioned rape by their specific commanders. In chapter five Aunt Lydia states that “There is more than one kind of freedom… Freedom to and freedom from.” The freedom to that she is referring to is the ability to make a decision, an example of this is evident through how Offred is given a chance to escape by the doctor, however she immediately questions herself by thinking “why am I frightened?” This implies that she is so accustomed to being oppressed she is almost scared to take the chance of freedom that is being handed to her. This portrays a sense of dehumanisation in terms of female characters as freedom is regarded as a basic human right.
In Gilman’s short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the 19th century female narrator experiences societal restrictions but does not yet have the confidence within herself to break free and fulfill her ambitions, giving the world all she has to offer. Through the use of the symbols, the wallpaper and the nursery she is confined in, the restrictions on this woman’s ambition are exemplified. Especially in the 19th century before the feminist movement, society restricted many types of people from satisfying their dreams; consequently, these oppressed groups were forced to submit to this dominating force. Gilman writes, “Then in the very bright spots she keeps still, and in the very shady spots she just takes hold of the bars and shakes them hard.” describing the sub pattern, a woman, of the wallpaper. While this woman depicted in the wallpaper is in the light, the view of society, she doesn’t move or rebel; equally, when the woman is in the dark, alone, she resents society and the “bars” it places in front of her.
We might know the Marthas’ names but the Handmaids’ real names are never used. They are labeled Of-someone which shows how they belong to their Commanders and have no real identity of their own. This labeling itself is a method of control on women as the women are constantly reminded that they are not identified by names but by labels and that they have no identity of their own. Gilead is a society where on the surface, it promotes solidarity between women. The Aunts teach the Handmaids at the Red Centre about how women are now protected and respected.
Women fighting combat The idea of women fighting in combat is absurd. Women should stay in the house where they belong. There are too many reason women should not be fighting. Women are the ones who bare children and without them we could not have future children, women are more likely to get captured, also women are not built the same way that men are which makes it hard for them to carry the equipment. Therefore, the reasons I explained and among many more women should not fight in combat.
“Critics of the industry warn that the stresses of competition, coupled with an extreme focus on physical appearance, can have a negative effect long before these girls will be eligible for Miss America.” (Triggs, West and Aradillas 160-168) The loss of self-esteem, the inability to show a full range of emotions, the fear of failure, the extreme focus on physical image, and the discord with or fear of parents are a few of the symptoms those little girls will suffer from. Each of these symptoms, or problems, is not associated with all contestants in beauty pageants. They are
I have read an article about the danger women faces everyday when they go out alone on the streets. Silko, the author, argues about if women should be taught to use a weapon to defend themselves. I think it's not the best solution because there are many risks. Weapons should not been used by any mean by women or men. Women are easy target for men to abuse them because women can't defend by themselves.
Girls in Afghanistan could have it all if they could stand up for themselves. But it's not that easy all the time. Some schools in Afghanistan have to close because of attacks by insurgents who are against women's education. It's dangerous for girls to go to school in Afghanistan for many reasons but even when they do get to go it's not the most joy that you would