The Real Female Power: Sex - Does it Really Exist?
The Real Female Power: Sex Does it Really Exist? What if women dominated the world? What if over time the sexual power that women hold over men was wielded in such a way that the females of a nation took power? Is it possible that women as a whole could withhold sex as a means to gain power in a nation? If they were capable would men dominate the world? Imagine a world without sex. Is it possible for women to withhold sex from the male species for an extended period of time without dissent from any of the women? I would say that women do not even hold the power of sex above men. Granted, the male sexual urge is stronger and more frequent than that of women, but women too have a desire to be touched and a desire for sex. Men cannot "rise to the occasion" on command; rather they must be "into the situation". Women would be unable to exercise this power over men, women's desires and the physical strength that men possess counteract the measures women may take to dominate men. The initial dilemma women face is how to employ their sexual power over men. The way women can get men to be submissive is to withhold sex. This is an idea that has transcended time. As far back as Athenian times it has been perceived that women can force men to do what they want by withholding sex, "pussy whipping" the men. This was illustrated in Aristophanes' Lysistrata and the ideas of
The Handmaids Tale - At the beginning of chapter twenty-three Offred says, "This is a reconstruction. All of it is a reconstruction." What have you found interesting about the way the book is written? Explore the problems and pleasures, which you have enc
At the beginning of chapter twenty-three Offred says, "This is a reconstruction. All of it is a reconstruction." What have you found interesting about the way the book is written? Explore the problems and pleasures, which you have encountered. Some of the pleasures I found while reading the Handmaids Tale include, how the readers feel they trust Offred, the use of language and how Offred speaks directly to the readers. While some problems I found in the Handmaids Tale are the chronological order and the ending. An aspect of the Handmaids tale that I found a problem, while reading the book is the chronological order of the story. As the main plot of the story is when Offred is being a handmaid for the commander and Serena Joy, there are many flashbacks, of the past, to show the readers how Gilead was formed. I found this very off-putting from the point of view of a reader. I also feel it puts the readers of the book at a disadvantage. An example of this is when the story begins, as it starts in a flashback, when Offred is at the training camp. The readers have no idea what is going on and it is not until several chapters later that the readers can work out what is going on. Though some readers may see this as a good point as the book is a challenge to read, which in their opinion would make it more enjoyable. Another point of the book that I did not like was how Offreds
Investigate the theme of power, as presented in The Handmaid’s Tale.
Investigate the theme of power, as presented in The Handmaid's Tale. Power. What do we think of when we talk about power? Perhaps we think of the power of a country armed to the teeth with weapons of mass destruction. Perhaps we think of a millionaire, able to buy his way through anything thanks to the power of money. We may even think that we have some form of power ourselves, such as the power of having lent someone money or of having done someone a favour. Nevertheless, while we can easily think of examples of powerful people, we may have great difficulty thinking of a case where someone has absolutely no power. Could it be, however, that Offred is one of these isolated cases? To understand Offred thoughts properly, it is first necessary to understand the situation she is in. As a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, her sole function is to bear her Commander children. She is regarded by the state as a thing, not a person - hence her name Of-Fred (Fred is the name of her Commander). The Commander and his Wife are both superior to Offred in Gilead's hierarchy. Below her come all the other members of society. Of course, this does not automatically mean that she has power over all the lower classes. They are responsible to the Commander and his Wife only. Offred herself, of course, is responsible to the Commander, although the Wife also has the power to get rid
Offred describes her narrative as "A limping and mutilated story". How does this image relate to either the structure or content of "The Handmaids Tale"?
Offred describes her narrative as "A limping and mutilated story". How does this image relate to either the structure or content of "The Handmaids Tale"? The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood is a dystopian novel told by a handmaid called Offred. Deprived from her own name and legal rights her job along with other handmaids is to produce offspring for elite barren couples against her will. She continually lives in fear of being sent to the Colonies as an Unwoman if she does not produce a child. Offred is under constant surveillance from the commander's wife and other female servants, so she cannot afford to disobey the rules. Throughout the novel we admire Offred for her courage in coping with the limping and mutilated situations. Right from the start of the novel it prepares us for the events to come. When we read; "Aunt Sara and Aunt Elizabeth patrolled; they had electric cattle prods slung on thongs from their leather belts" we are shocked because it makes the association between these women and breeding animals. There is an element of irony right from the start because normally we would associate "Aunts" to be close friends or family not with cattle prods. It is believed the dislocated opening emphasises the fear and confusion to come. It is believed Offred's description of her narrative can be associated with her relationship with the commander's wife (Serena Joy).
How does sexuality a woman's way to be free in the Handmaid's tale? Humans are sexual beings. When we are born, we are affected by a sexual life.
The handmaid's tale How does sexuality a woman's way to be free in the Handmaid's tale? Humans are sexual beings. When we are born, we are affected by a sexual life. According to psychology, since we are born, we start to explore our body. When we are three years old, during our anal stage of sexual development, we start to discover our body. This is the stage in which we start to feel independent. By being social, the most things we are concerned are related to our sexual life. All our thoughts are occupied in how to use our body to reach something. To take advantage of someone. This makes us fill free. Because we own our body. And we can use it however we want to, whether it is to manipulate someone, or to kill it, in order to show that you own something, and that no regime, no one can make you feel totally possessed, because, at the end you will always own something: your body. Your sexuality. Your freedom. I believe that the author in the Handmaid's tale, places a theory, in which women seem to be totally degraded, but are in fact the main power. Because as the most important thing in the regime is to procreate, women are the ones who give birth, so I believe that it is through their body, how they control the society. And it is their sexuality their way to feel free, as they own their thoughts, and their feelings. Existentialists, state that human beings are able to
To what extent is Offred a heroine? There are many unique features that make up a heroine of a story. Generally, the hero or heroine
To what extent is Offred a heroine? There are many unique features that make up a heroine of a story. Generally, the hero or heroine is the main protagonist of the story, and they are likely to be a very strong and extraordinary character. This strength is not just physically, but also emotionally and intellectually. Their bravery and luck tends to get themselves out of trouble. In Offred's case, it appears that she is mentally and emotionally very strong, and luck seemed to be on her side, during most of the story. Despite this, Offred is not a heroine to a large extent, and there are many reasons why she does not fulfil the role of a heroine. There is immediate references that Offred is going to be the heroine of the story from the first chapter, where she explains a few of the ways that the girls rebel. They "learned to whisper" and "learned to lip-read", which gave the reader signs that they intentionally broke the rules of their society in whatever way possible. Later into the story, there are more signs that Offred is going to break the rules and rebel against the Aunts and Guards, and other higher members of the hierarchy. When Offred sees the message "Nolite te bastardes caborundorum" it appears to inspire her. Although Offred does not know that it means "don't let the bastards grind you down", she still feels it "pleases" her to see it. This is because she knows
Using the extract as a starting point discuss how Atwood uses language in the novel as both a tool of oppression and a means of rebellion.
Alex Hayes Handmaids Tale 01/01/2005 Using the extract as a starting point discuss how Atwood uses language in the novel as both a tool of oppression and a means of rebellion. "We play two games. Larynx, I spell... the letter C. Crisp and slightly acidic on the tongue." Scrabble is a game using random glossy letters to spell out words, and communicate. The words Larynx, Valance, Quince and Zygote are what Offred chooses to spell whilst sitting with the Commander using letters to make forbidden words and show oblique protest. The general fact that Commander and Handmaid are playing a game is rebelling against regime rules that exist in Gileadean society, Both are in the wrong, not that Offred has much choice she decides to use this chance to communicate her feelings and reflect her life as a Handmaid using the well described "glossy counters with smooth edges", is Offred getting pleasure from this? A radical departure from the formality of their prescribed relationship. The words Offred goes on to spell with these glossy smooth edged counters shows the reader how this self conscious narrator is feeling, weighed down using the above specific words to make herself heard by the commander whilst laughing in his face, "Limp", "Gorge", more words she decides to spell. Outside normal hours, without Serena Joys knowledge or presence, "it's like sneaking into the dorm after hours"
How is the character of Serena Joy presented in chapter 3?
How is the character of Serena Joy presented in chapter 3? By Claire Fisher The character of Serena Joy in chapter 3 is presented as a mysterious unsympathetic character to the reader. Atwood does this by numerous devices. The reader meets Serena Joy through the narrator and protagonist, Offred, and gains her perception of Serena. This keeps her distant from the reader. Offred mentions Serena Joy to the reader before they meet her saying 'I Don't like to come across the commanders wife unexpectedly' this shows the fear possessed by Offred for the commanders wife and the power that Serena Joy has over Offred. By referring to Serena before coming across her Atwood shows her as a distant and mysterious character, by not revealing too much about her. This gives the reader nothing to sympathise with her as she intimidates Offred and is presented as an unsympathetic character Serena's dialogue is also another indication of her power and how she intimidates Offred, The first time she is presented to the reader her first words are 'so you're the new one' these are not warm and inviting as you would expect from someone who is meeting someone for the first time. This demonstrates Serena as a hostile and abrupt character who has not much feeling. Her actions on their first meeting also portrays aggressive behaviour she stands at the door and Offred describes that 'She wanted me to
How Effective Is The Opening Of The Handmaids Tale? Concentrate Of The First Four Chapters, Incorporating Analysis Of Characterisation, Themes And Atwood's Use Of Symbolism
How Effective Is The Opening Of The Handmaids Tale? Concentrate Of The First Four Chapters, Incorporating Analysis Of Characterisation, Themes And Atwood's Use Of Symbolism The first four chapters act as an effective and appropriate introduction to the Handmaid's Tale. Throughout the first four chapters, Atwood uses several techniques, and also the creative anti-chronological feature of the novel to the engage the interest of the reader. Chapter 1 immediately sets up the time scale of the novel, within the first sense Atwood cleverly employs the past tense, 'We slept in what had once been the gymnasium', the interesting combination of the past tense and a contemporary feature of life, suggests to the reader that the novel is set in a future. Atwood then appeals to the reader, through Offred's description of the former gymnasium. Atwood also takes the first chapter as an opportunity to introduce the reader to the ironic parallels of the hierarchical society of Gilead, Atwood intrigues the reader by contrasting the pleasant connotations of the words 'Angels' and 'Aunts' against the vengeful, militaristic feel of words like 'guns' and 'cattle prods'. Offred's descriptions of her surroundings are vivid, her description contains use of each of the senses, and she smells 'the pungent scent of sweat, shot through with the sweet taint of chewing gum and perfume', this invites
'The Handmaid's Tale' - Based on your reading of the text so far, what do you find interesting about the way Atwood presents the character of Offred?
Jonathan Newcombe 'The Handmaid's Tale' October 2002 Based on your reading of the text so far, what do you find interesting about the way Atwood presents the character of Offred? 'The Handmaid's Tale' is a novel written in the early 1980's by Canadian author Margaret Atwood and published in 1986. 'The Handmaid's tale' reveals an eerie dystopia that is set in our future, we learn about a society called Gilead where every law is based on manipulated extracts from the bible. As a result of the new society reading has been outlawed, women's bodies are used as instruments and education doesn't exist. 'The Handmaid's tale' combines a bleak futuristic reality, feminism and politics to create a dystopian atmosphere that draws the reader into questioning the rules of the new society and those of their own. In the opening chapter the reader is quickly introduced to a new world and to Atwood's chosen style of narration. We are introduced to novel by one of Offred's memories, a time in her past but in the reader's future. Offred and some other girls are sleeping in what used to be a school gym. As Offred describes her surroundings she suggests that something has happened to America. 'Army issue blankets, old ones that still said U.S'. Although we are not sure what has happened this heavily suggests that the U.S no longer exists. This is the first time the reader is