A Detailed analysis of chapter 16 focusing on typical characteristics of the novel in subject matter and treatment.

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A Detailed analysis of chapter 16 focusing on typical characteristics of the novel in subject matter and treatment.

“The Ceremony” is the main content in Chapter Sixteen and the most important role of a handmaiden. This ritual like process takes place once a month in the effort to impregnate the maidhand. The wife of the commander also has to be present in order to accept the baby as her own when it is born. Serena Joy, the Commander’s wife, lies with Offred between her legs to represent that they are one body. However the baby’s mother is considered to be Serena as she will take care and care for it. Offred is only considered to be lending her womb to the couple in order to provide them with a family.

Chapter Sixteen begins as every other chapter, with a very short blunt sentence, “The Ceremony goes as usual.” One of the most intimate actions between a man and a woman is considered very every-day to Offred. This is because she does not want to take part and therefore detaches herself from reality in order to keep her sanity. She does this by remembering what she had before Gilead came to form, for example things like Luke and her daughter bring her happiness. This remembrance of the past also, I feel, causes her great pain as she considers what she is missing. Also the fact that this is a regular process in her life makes it mundane to her and those involved. She even tries to stop referring to herself in first person but instead starts to use third person. “One detaches oneself. One describes.” Offred’s description of the process refers to militaristic terms, for example when referring to the Commander as having “a regular two-four marching stroke.” This demonstrates to reader of how militaristic and unemotional Gilead makes even the most intimate things.

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Gilead considers the process of “The Ceremony” as being normal when actually to us, the readers, and those who resist Gilead it is quite horrible and disturbing. This view Gilead has adopted is continued to the way Handmaidens are viewed and treated. They are vital to further the community but are dehumanised and are only valued for their fertility. I feel it would be worse for Offred if she were forced to be intimate each time “The Ceremony” took place. If this were true then it would be harder for her to detach herself and therefore rebel. Detachment is ...

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