During the 5th chapter Offred and Ofglen complete a regular shopping trip and Atwood offers us more descriptions into the religious undertones of Gilead. Already we have been given hints of this through Biblical quotes, Offred's reference of her life; with the other handmaids like being in a "nunnery", and the "Angels". During the chapter it becomes apparent that even the freedom of shopping has been removed, however by including ration books Atwood relates Gilead to the state of emergency during the Second World War and therefore gains acceptance for what would usually be considered restrictive rather than beneficial. The shops have been renamed as " milk and Honey" and "habits". the second of these is a clever double pun which, as Offred notes is "A Good name for them. Habits are hard to break" as well as referring to the uniforms of nuns, linking back to the religious nature of the society.
At the end of the 5th chapter Atwood decides to introduce an outside society directly into the present, with the arrival of Japanese tourists and this immediately bring to the reader's attention that Gilead co-exists with outer societies such as our own. On first sighting of the tourists the reader becomes aware how much Offred longs for their freedom. "I used to dress like that. That was freedom" / I'm looking down, at the sidewalk, mesmerised by the woman's feet" This however is countered by "We are fascinated, but also repelled. They seem undressed. It has taken so little time to change our minds, about things like this" This clear distinction between how she's expected to feel and how she actually feels becomes distorted as we are unable to define where one starts and the ends. This however is not the first time and this help gain interest into Offred, as one wonders how much she's begging to believe what she's being told. This is one of the defining aspects of the novel during the opening chapters as Offred's characters is never directly revealed to the reader as she sways between survival and ambition. As each chapter unfolds we are offered more into the feelings of Offred into the society of Gilead however it is often difficult to determine what comes from herself and what is simply repeated from the Aunts.
The Japanese also act as a way for Atwood to ask of Offred what the reader clearly wants to ask; "Are you happy". To this Offred eventually answers "Yes, we are very happy" however by the text surrounding her answer it is clear to the reader how she really feels.
This novel is at heart an exploration of individuality and the need in human nature to express one's own personality through freedom of thought and speech. In order to complete this at an effective level Atwood has had to create Gilead, a society with a complete blindness to the needs of its individuals, for reasons that become apparent as the novel continues. The severity of Gilead's members' loss of control over their own lives is highlighted by Atwood on many occasions during the first 5 sections. "She wanted me to feel as that I could not come in the house unless she said so. There is much push and shove over such toehold these days." This quote appears shortly after Offred offers a description of the Commander's wife in her past, as a television celebrity. "she could smile and cry at the same time, one tear or two sliding gracefully down her cheek, as if on cue". The stark contrast between the later quote and the action of Serena Joy once under the control of Gilead offers insight into how the society has affected the lives of everybody, not only the handmaid, as everyone makes a desperate grab for some form of power.
Atwood chooses not to give the handmaid a name during the first 5 chapters and this helps distance her from the reader and re-iterate her lack of individuality. This creates interest as the reader questions firstly whether she has a name and secondly what her motives are for not telling us, is she ashamed, afraid? We know from her time at the red centre that names were very precious to them, maybe they're considered unnecessary for a woman of her position. This adds further mystery to her tale and encourages the reader to continue so that they can understand more into the society.
The extremety of Atwood's fictional society takes the novel into an area often described as Sci-fi, here though, we are shown Atwood's most important trait; the incredible personalised style of writing associated with her novels. This, alone, is what separates "The handmaid's tale" from other books of a similar concept, as by using a first person perspective Atwood is able to explore rather then describe Gilead and therefore the society appears more definite and believable, all of which helps the novel become more interesting during the opening 5 sections.
Many details into the society are left undescribed, we know of an existing war through the talk of the frontline, ration books and the loss of Central America to the "Libertheos", however Offred never offers more than this. It appears as though this is because Offred expects to know a certain amount into the society of Gilead already, as though we are expected to read this book in the aftermath of the society. A secret diary almost
The readers interest is maintained throughout the opening 5 chapters by masking the character of Offred, Giving hints towards a possible escape or ending in another manner and by slowly introducing an unusual society which has clearly developed in America from the present existing population. Offred's character is masked by; Not introducing the reader to her by name, quoting the opinions of others in order to create confusion as to what she truly believes, contrasting her past actions and beliefs with those actions in which she participates in the present and that which she feels now. The hints into escape, of some form, are offered in two main forms; Through her understanding of the actions of others in order to end their own life and her seeming acceptance of the reasoning behind it and her continued rebellious nature in always looking for a way to break and bend rules. The society unfolds in front of the reader in a mixture of normality and genuine discontentment, prompting the question How, When and Why? All this ensures one's desire to discover more into the life of Offred, the society she lives in and her intentions for the future.
