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
How Effective an Introduction to the novel is in Chapter 1?
How Effective an Introduction to the novel is in Chapter 1? David Gutterson made good use of his introduction in 'Snow falling on Cedars'. He takes advantage of it by setting the main scene; he goes into great detail about the courtroom, while at the same time he is trying to emphasise how serious the trial event on the small island, 'San Piedro'; such like "In the public gallery every seat had been taken..." There is obviously a low crime rate on the island, so this was a major event for the whole of its community. His description of the courtroom also portrays what the citizens lives are like, e.g. "It was a place of gray-hued and bleak simplicity..." his readers can interpret this to mean that the citizens lives are boring, and simple. Also, the phrase "sluggish radiators" can be interpreted to mean that their lives are slow working. He gives us the impression that the island has a close knit community; the courtroom was "cramped", the citizens also seemed to have attended the trial as an act of respect towards all those that have been affected by the whole event. He also uses the introduction to introduce the type of people that inherit the island, "two truck farmers, a retired crabber, a bookkeeper, a carpenter..."etc. Gutterson also takes the opportunity to add extra details, such as their religious nature and the different cultures of the people that live on
'The Keepers of the House' - Commentry.
The extract taken from the novel, 'The Keepers of the House,' written by Shirley Ann Grau is a well-written prose which captures the events that take place when the protagonist who has recently undergone a divorce with her husband is amongst the townspeople. During this time, the attitudes and views of both the people of the town and of the protagonist are cleverly expressed. Through the use of various literary techniques and devices this extract appears to be eloquent to the reader. The title of the novel 'The Keepers of the House,' is relevant to the passage in which the reader will later become aware that the protagonist is determined to accomplish a goal. Her chief aim being to take full control of her life, being both dominant and having authority. Thus, from the title, the reader becomes familiar with the protagonists aim of wanting to be the 'keeper' of the house. Hence, the title plays a coherent role in allowing the reader to become aware of the events which are to follow. The prose is written in first person perspective, hence the reader is able to attain a better understanding and insight into the feelings and attitudes the protagonist has towards the situations which are taking place. The use of dialogue becomes a common literary technique that enhances the reader's understanding and gratitude towards the prose. This style of writing stands out from the rest of
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 are people enslaved and by what means do they attempt to free themselves? - A reflection on "Blade Runner" and "Cuckoo's Nest"
How are people enslaved and by what means do they attempt to free themselves? Throughout both Bladerunner and Cuckoos Nest, characters are enslaved either through their own means or because of others actions upon them. Many of these characters become free of their slavery as their stories go on, though whether becoming free or actually being a slave in the first place are actually negative things is something that can be disputed. How slavery is defined is another factor that will contribute to how negative or positive being a slave is, for if we define slavery as someone who is the property wholly to another person or thing compared to if we see it as someone who is enslaved by their own fears and beliefs, will change the outlook completely. Chief Bromden is largely enslaved throughout the novel by many things; he is a slave to the nurse and the combine, his past and his own mind, fear and the fog and his confidence or lack of. Broom's slavery can be looked at as being a safe type of slavery for as long as he sticks to the image he has created of himself he is safe and although he doesn't have much freedom, what he does have is the knowledge that he is safe, which is a reassuring thing in Ratched's ward where the slightest mishap could have you beaten up by the black boys or sent down to disturbed to meet "their little battery charger" as McMurphy puts it. As the novel
Straying from the Path
Straying from the Path Based on a short story by Angela Carter, Neil Jordan's The Company of Wolves (1984) is a film that is rich in fairy tale symbolism and imagery. While in many variations of the story of Little Red Riding Hood celebrate the coming of age of a young woman, the most well known versions of the fairy tale warn young girls about the dangers of sexual maturity, and stresses the importance of obedience and conformity to a passive feminine gender role. However, Carter's feminist revision of the fairy tale challenges conventional gender roles by depicting a fearless girl who refuses to be victimized. Like the strong-minded child in Carter's short story, Rosaleen is an independent young girl who becomes an equal to the fiercest of wolves. The film presents a symbolic dream world where a girl's transition into womanhood is both beautiful and terrifying. There are many versions of Little Red Riding hood. In European oral tradition during the middle ages, the girl is going to her grandmother's house and meets a wolf or a werewolf, and each of them takes a different path to the house. The wolf arrives first, devours the grandmother, waits in disguise for the girl, and offers the girl her grandmother's flesh and blood to eat and drink. Then the girl strips off her clothes, throws them into the fire, and joins the wolf in bed. After a ritual exchange about body parts
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
Book Review - "Sunwing" by Kenneth Oppel
Book Review Oral : 4th June 2003 Book Reviewed : Sunwing Author : Kenneth Oppel This book is the epic sequel to the first book, Sunwing, which is an outstanding story of how a colony of Silverwing bats loose their home to a colony of owls, and they make their way south to their hibernation grounds. In the first book, Shade a newborn is undersize and weak, and during their flight south, he gets caught in a storm, and on his journey he makes a new friend, Marina. Together they set off to try and find the rest of the colony. On the way they encounter many obstacles, and together they manage to overcome those trials. When they finally find the rest of the colony, they all rejoice and set off to Hibernaculm, the Silverwing hibernation grounds in search of Shades father, Cassiel who was captured by bigger and more evil bats before Shade was born.... In the second book, Sunwing, Shade is determined to find his father, and together with other elders of the colony, they all set out in search of Cassiel. The move further south and on their journey, Shade discovers a large building which houses a huge, man-made forest. Without thinking Shade quickly enters the building, not realising that it is a one-way entrance. The building is home to thousands of different bats, and it is as warm as a summer night. There is plenty of food and the colony end up living there for some time, and