Nicola Evans
Remind yourself of the last few paragraphs of Chapter 30 of The Handmaids Tale where Offred says ‘Tonight I will say my prayers.’ How central is the theme of religion in the novel?
The theme of religion is very central throughout The Handmaids Tale. Gilead is a theocracy, a government in which there is no separation between state and religion, and its official vocabulary incorporates religious terminology and biblical references. Domestic servants are called ‘Marthas’ in reference to a domestic character in the New Testament and the Commanders are officially ‘Commanders of the Faithful.’ Even the stores have biblical names such as ‘Loaves and fishes’ and ‘Milk and Honey.’ Using religious terminology to describe people, ranks, and businesses provides an ever-present reminder that the founders of Gilead insist they act on the authority of the Bible itself. In the Red centre the Aunts use religious propaganda to try and get the Handmaids to accept the new regime. ‘Gilead is within you’ is ‘drummed’ into the minds of the Handmaid’s to make them believe that their new life is much better than it was in the time before. Gilead was formed in response to the crisis caused by dramatically decreased birthrates, therefore the state’s entire structure is built around a single goal which is control of reproduction. The bible is used to justify the changes made because the bible encourages reproduction. The bible is also used to justify the ceremony as it is a biblically sanctioned tradition therefore as it is God’s will it is almost impossible to argue against. Also Offred often prays to God to help her cope with the new regime. She has nobody else to communicate with so she turns to God to help her get by.