Sarah Driscoll January 17, 2005
ISU Essay
The Handmaid’s Tale
The novel The Handmaid’s Tale written by Margret Atwood is about how the government chose to control the way the community was run and control the lives of men and women. The novel tells the story from the perspective of a middle-aged woman named Offred who questions society’s accepted beliefs and conventions. Offred is a handmaid in the Republic of Gilead who is constantly questioning the government beliefs and rules. Her character pushes the limits set out by the government. This is thoroughly illustrated through her defiance of against the social conventions, her methods of challenging them and the final outcome of her challenge.
Firstly, Offred challenges many laws within The Handmaid’s Tale including socializing with the commander and Nick, and being in the sitting room. Handmaids are a class who are not to socialize with the commander; Offred explains, “It’s forbidden for us to be alone with the commanders” (Atwood 128). She spends a large amount of time with the commander although she is well aware of the laws within the community. Being a handmaid Offred is not allowed into the sitting room. One night she wanders down to the sitting room to try something new, she is there to be independent; she likes to be on her own. “I like this. I am doing something, on my own. The active Tense. Tensed. What I would like to steal is a knife from the kitchen, but I’m not ready for that” (Atwood 92). At this point Nick interrupts her. Nick and Offred are not allowed to associate with each other. “I freeze, white was a mistake. I’m snow in moonlight, even in the dark” (Atwood 92). She breaks laws, knows what she is doing to be wrong but her need to test the laws convinces her to proceed.
