Introduction
The dystopian world of Gilead is a future where women are devoid of human rights. The book focuses on the experience of Offred, a Handmaid whose only purpose in society is to serve the couple she is attached to and give birth to a baby for her masters. The main character represents one aspect of a complex social system built around a dogmatic religion. The state of Gilead practices psychological, social, and physical restraint to control society, resulting in Offred’s acceptance of her new role in this system.
The Dehumanizing System of Margaret Atwood’s World of Gilead
It is essential to notice how religious language is used in Gilead and how it affects its citizens. Though the author does not directly criticize religion, some aspects are portrayed as dangerous when used with the wrong motives. A different name in a new status signifies rejecting one’s old life as essential and devoting oneself to serving a new purpose. Thus, all the Handmaids are renamed according to their Commander’s first name with the preposition “of” to accent the sense of belonging to this figure.
Moreover, the use of the previous name is forbidden as it creates a false sense of identity, which is criticized by the state. The book describes Offred’s perception of this topic: “I keep the knowledge of this name like something hidden, some treasure I’ll come back to dig up, one day” (Atwood 79). Her current name is more of a status, as illustrated by Ofglen, who is replaced by a different person after the death of her predecessor. These techniques resulted in Offred struggling to keep her identity throughout the book.
The system uses psychological techniques to prevent any pushback from the Handmaids and redirect the conflicts back into the social group. Janine’s story illustrates the functions of this social structure. Instead of receiving support as a victim after sharing her history of rape and abortion, she is blamed by others, and the Aunts strongly support this process. The text describes the ceremony, “But whose fault was it? Aunt Helena says, holding up one plump finger. Her fault, her fault, her fault, we chant in unison” (Atwood 69). This is one of the reasons Offred rejects assisting Ofglen in gathering information about their masters.
Shifting blame is also relevant in Gilead’s medical field. As it is said in the book, “There is no such thing as a sterile man anymore, not officially. There are only women who are fruitful and women who are barren; that’s the law” (Atwood 60). Even suggesting that reproductive problems may be caused by male health is forbidden.
The religious stylization also adds to the overall picture of a dogmatic society. This system alludes to the original biblical sin as a permanent burden, which makes all the women less worthy of respect in the eyes of the Gilead citizens. That is especially relevant for the Handmaids as their only purpose is to bear a child, which is considered to be the result of the original sin. Therefore, Gilead’s religious conservatism provided circumstances that forced Offred to accept her low status.
In addition to attempted identity erasure, blackmail is shown to be used as a control method. Serena, the Commander’s wife, uses Offred’s daughter as leverage to convince the Handmaid to conceive a baby with Nick. Even though it is not stated clearly, the reader may suggest that this control technique might be systematic.
Offred is undoubtedly one of the countless Handmaids who cherish the memories of their old lives as hope and have relatives whose fates are unknown. The fact that their masters are aware of this lets them use servants’ feelings for their loved ones as tools when the spirit becomes more resistant to personal tribulations. However, going through an experience like this showed Offred how unattainable her previous life had become.
It is also crucial to analyze the living conditions of the main character and the way they are used to limit her freedom. The descriptions of the Handmaid’s schedule state that they are not allowed to leave their houses for any reason other than shopping trips. The Eyes monitor all their actions, the secret service, whose purpose is to control the current state of society and prevent any revolutionary activities.
The Handmaid’s rooms lack anything unnecessary, and these women’s rights to have personal belongings are limited to the extreme. These precautions’ reasons become clearer after the description of Offred’s dinner, “I have a fork and a spoon, but never a knife. When there’s meat, they cut it for me ahead of time, as if I lack manual skills or teeth. I have both, however. That’s why I’m not allowed a knife” (Atwood 210). In addition to using the knife as a weapon, it may also be used as a suicide tool. The inability to choose not to participate in the system shows how restricted the main character is in her choices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the state of Gilead has constructed a complex control system that uses religious dogmatism, psychological tactics, and limited rights to support itself as a dystopian society. Any revolutionary activity is quickly repressed and blamed on the suspected disobedients, and their places are filled with other recruits who take up their names. Shame is a significant aspect of psychological oppression and includes both victim blaming and gender inequality propaganda.
Physically, the main character is constricted by the limits of her freedom of movement and free will. All these factors are interconnected and interchangeable in different situations, which makes them universal and practically undefeatable. This results in Offred losing all the will to return to her previous life and succumbing to her new position as a Handmaid.
Work Cited
Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale. Epublibre, 1985. Archive.org, Web.