Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Handmaid's Tale is a novel in which all men have power, and all women don't. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

This is a very important question, to which I actually
think you can argue both sides. Certainly Gilead, as a theocracy where fertile women are
nothing more than "walking wombs" as Offred describes herself, is a world where women's
rights are clearly suppressed. Offred's very existence and life is dependent upon her
successful conception - time is running out for her, and we are introduced to her as she
starts her last assignment after two failures. If she is unsuccessful this time she will
be sent to clear up toxic waste which will result in her death after two
years.


However, on the other hand, I think it is also
important to focus on how Offred is able to use her sexuality as power in the novel.
Note the way that the Commander takes her away to the club and Nick creates a plan to
save her and smuggle her out of Gilead. It appears that even in the bleakest of
situations women are by no means defenceless. Offred shows that she is able to use her
sexuality to help herself and also to give her power over
men.


So, with your statement, I think it is plausible to
look at both sides rather than just side with one. This novel in some ways is a
tremendous celebration of the power of women even in the toughest of
circumstances.

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