Atwood emphasises this theme of oppression by describing the gymnasium as it had “once been” in a list like style; clearly illustrating the image of freedom which the girls in “mini-skirts”, “pants”, then “one earring, spiky green-streaked hair” represent, and which the narrator can now only know “from pictures”. Atwood further emphasises these lost times, by appealing to the senses of the human body, which vivifies the lost images and also sets the foundation for us when we realise that even the fundamental senses of the body are denied from the maidens.
With oppression, leads to the suppression of women in particular. There is a prevailing irony which is: women are used to oppress women – in this case, it is the Aunts with their “electric cattle prods” to stop the women communicating with each other, and later in the novel, it is the pairs of maidens that go out together and act as spies on each other for the regime, but still with the Aunts around to enforce their manipulative rhetoric upon the women; which consequently grants result with the maiden’s thought “where I am is not a prison but a privilege”. The patrolling of the Aunts in the opening chapter symbolises yet again the oppressive and tyrannical system the society governs itself upon and conveys what women are seen as in the society – mere cattle. Their existence is governed by their masters, and just as cattle are bred to be eaten, a women’s purpose is to procreate. This dismal outlook upon the purpose of women portrays the emotionless and usually, brutal nature of the system. Sexual discrimination and subjugation is even shown towards the Aunts who cannot have guns because they “could not be trusted with guns”. This lack of trust consequently leads to lack of power and inevitable lack of independence.
The general atmosphere of sex is prevalent throughout the novel and is conveyed through the maidens’ “fantasy” to “trade-off” their bodies so that “something could be exchanged”. It is revealed that that they “still have” their “bodies” and this seems to suggest that they only have their bodies left. Their social freedom and liberty have already been destroyed and moulded into a heaping mass of emotionless tyranny, which inevitably decomposes their morals. Sex – as aptly described in the sex ceremony chapter – is mere routine. It is controlled and monitored and has even been made a ceremony, scheduled and empty. Therefore, the maidens’ emotionless persona on the topic of sex in the first chapter signifies how sex is viewed in the Gileadean regime.
Religion is feared throughout Gilead due to its power. This is clearly remarked upon in the first chapter through the view the women have of the Angels as “objects of fear”. Their anonymity initially confuses the reader and allows them to assume that they bear relation to the heavenly angels of salvation. This is of course, foolish to think due to the presence of machine guns with the Angels. Irony yet again raises its head, for religion has been coupled with violence, whereas religion seeks peace. This shows that the state – symbolised by the machine gun – controls religion and dictates it’s every move – in this case, turning away from the maidens, offering them no hope of salvation. In the “soul scrolls” scene further on in the novel, there is a clear problem with religion being mechanised and controlled by the state. It has lost its essence just as the woman has lost theirs. This comparison between women and religion seem to further exemplify the extent of the Gilead’s oppressive power.
Even though such a dismal outlook is portrayed in the opening chapter, there is still hope, or rather some sort of action against the system, no matter how small. Offred – and the rest of the maidens – show signs of rebellion by touching “each other’s hands across space” and talking to each other through “lip-read”. This sense of prevailing independence the women have no matter how horrible the situation grants some respect back to the women who seem to be so willing to conform to the regime. This initial characterisation of Offred as a slight rebel is further enforced throughout the novel by her little rebellious actions and her outstanding one – being the affair with the officer. Atwood cleverly ends the chapter with a list of names of the women - clearly signifying their grasp on their identity, power and independence, no matter how little.
