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Gilead's Cowardice


As a society we cannot hide from the fact that the unexpected will inevitably occur. Thankfully, it’s when the unexpected transpires that we can both accept and learn from it. This is the complete opposite of what is shown in chapter 19 of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. In the novel, Offred’s perspective helps us visualize what happens to Unbabies after they’re taken away. We also learn how in the Gilead society it’s not only considered normal to kill these Unbabies, but it is seen as good thing by some. Killing these babies, whatever the reason may be, should under no circumstance be normal or encouraged.

In the chapter Offred discusses her fears for Ofwarren and her unborn child. Early in the chapter Offred says: “What will Ofwarren give birth to? A baby, as we all hope?” (139) Here she is referring to the fact that one in four babies that are born in Gilead are not considered normal. These abnormal babies are called Unbabies. They’re called Unbabies because they suffer from either a physical or mental defect. It is not long after saying this that Offred mentions that if the child is deemed an Unbaby it will be taken away and killed. “We didn’t know exactly what would happen to the babies that didn’t get passed, that were declared Unbabies. [...] But we knew they were put somewhere, quickly, away.” (140) This means that if the child were to be born with a defect, it would be taken away, never to be seen again. Offred is well aware of the fact that disposing of the Unbabies is disgusting and inhumane.
Sadly, like everyone else in Gilead, she cannot do anything against what the government has already imposed upon them. To the government, everyone in Gilead is like a pawn. All that they need is for everyone from the community to comply in order for their regime to function. From the Unwomen to the Commanders everyone is the same in the end. Everyone is either aware of the problems that the society is suffering from or they’re outright oblivious of their presence. I think Offred is a good example of what the common person feels like in Gilead, or at least how a common Handmaid thinks. If this true it is a clear problem for Gilead. If one day, the people decide to rebel against the government, it will fall. The people have more power than the government. As soon as these people realize this, it will be the fall of Gilead’s regime. It is just a question of alliance.
Gilead is a society of cowards; Instead of trying to find a way to help or cure the Unbabies, they kill them because of their impurities. Even though the public is being oppressed by the government on a daily basis, nothing is done. No rebellion is formed and nothing in view seems like it’s leading Gilead to change. The government is always in power but when it is when it loses its people that the power begins to slip away.

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  1. Anonyme15 novembre 2018 à 17:31

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    1. Anonyme15 novembre 2018 à 17:35

      Nice post! I think your perspective is very interesting because I saw the chapter in a different light. For one, I don’t think the treatment of the “unbabies” is limited to the Handmaid’s Tale. As a matter of fact, many parents in our society would prefer to know if their child has any mental or physical handicap during the pregnancy, and many resort to antenatal tests. Some even agree that they would prefer to terminate the pregnancy if their child is at risk. I think Atwood is just trying to illustrate an already existing issue rather than creating a whole new one for the sake of the book. However, I do agree with you that getting rid of a child based on whether or not they have a disability is harmful, and, yes, cowardly.

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  2. Anonyme19 novembre 2018 à 05:37


    I must say I disagree with your introduction. You state that Gilhead is the complete opposite of our society, as it kills all babies that are not considered “normal”. However, even if we’ve become a little more accepting in the past decade, I think our society still has a lot of work to do before we can say that we’ve accepted all differences; essentially getting rid of the general concept that is “normality”. Just look at governments who are removing laws on gender identity (which can be directly compared, in my opinion, to the way the Unwomen and Unbabies are being treated). On another note, I love your insight on the fact that everyone in the regime is a pawn, even those who seem to have more power. It made me look at some characters with a new perspective, thus making me see the chapter from a different point of view. All in all, great job!

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