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A True Perspective

In a world where life as most know it has been erased and redone completely, changing
every single person's values by inflicting strict laws and positions in society, violence seems to
play a very important part in changing the mindsets of each and everyone of the characters.
Some may be more affected than others, but it's effects can be quite surprising.

          Chapter 43 of Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale is in my opinion the most graphic yet. I
n this chapter we see as per usual bodies hung up on the wall as punishment as well as to show
the consequences on breaking the law. This is used to not only scare the public, but to brainwash
them into sticking to their rules. As Aunt Lydia directs the Handmaids to circle around, a clearly abused
man is dragged in the middle, accused as a rapist. The Handmaids are told that it is time for a Particicution,
a kind of ceremony which Handmaids are free to beat the man to death if they wish. However, the part I
find the most interesting is by carefully analyzing the directions, Aunt Lydia has not forced them to beat
the man; “You will wait until I blow the whistle. After that, what you do is up to you, until I blow the whistle
again. Understood?” (Atwood 347). It took time for me to realize that these women were to beat or kill the
man. That their altered values and loss of sympathy has made them into dangerous creatures I am sure
they wouldn’t have thought to become in a normal world. The strongest women are the women who
seem to be mentally powerful as well as conscious of the changing world and values. In this case,
characters such as Offred and Ofglen, are thought to be strong not only because of their similar values,
but because they have not been carried away by the propaganda and brainwashing.  This to me
indicated that Ofglen like Offred still have the caring mindset they used to have. Offred never stepped
close to man, imagining if it could have been Luke in that man’s position, her feelings stopped her from
taking her anger out like the other women. And for Ofglen, she chose to approach and kick the man
into an unconscious state thought Offred disagreed at first, Ofglen claims she did it because he was
not who he said he was; a Guardian who raped two women. He is truly a member of the resistance,
whose identity has been altered to further the brainwashing effects of the Handmaid’s. This is but a
small situation that once we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, we can see that the Gilead
society has control over everything even the minds of its people. Here we also see those effects on a
continuously questioned Janine who went crazy beating the man. “She’s holding something tightly, in
her right hand. It’s a clump of blond hair. She gives a small giggle.” (Atwood 351).  At this point, Offred
doesn't know if she should feel bad or angry at Janine. All of this, simply because the society is convincing and turning these women [Handmaids] into people completely setting aside sympathy and inhumanity for others.
In conclusion, the importance of analysing that one quote proving that these women were purely pushed by inner power, inner anger and frustration has changed my perspecive on the Handmaids in general, that they are not all like Offred. That these women have been changed internaly to follow rules and values that some of the truest characters such as Offred and Ofglen have strongly fought. That the influences by the regime may be stronger that I had thought. Not to mention the secrecy behind the man's identity brigning in question; does Offred have a chance to join the resistance? To escape the cruelties of the regime? To return to her family?

Commentaires

  1. Zoë Gagnon17 novembre 2018 à 17:04

    You make some really good points here. I agree that it’s important to note that the Handmaids were never forced to take action. Although it was expected of them, they made that choice. It truly shows how Gilead has affected their values. It’s almost hard to believe that anyone could be so cruel, but when you consider Gilead’s pervasive brainwashing, it’s not that surprising at all.

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  2. Anonyme19 novembre 2018 à 17:00

    I totally agree with your points, yet I wish that you have touched more on the fear that drives the Republic of Gilead. It was talked about a bit in the beginning of your developpement but I believe that fear is what drives Gilead. Without it rebellion would be far more of a threat. The fear of humiliation, death, letting go of the past and the various other punishments, is what drove The Republic of Gilead to what it is today. I thought this was an important part about the book that you should have highlighted more. Though I think Gilead is mainly run by fear, I like the descriptive approach you took, the examples made for a broader idea of what exactly the inhabitants of Gilead are going through, instead of just saying they were overcome by fears.

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