Gilead's Loyal Pawns

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Every society can thrive in freedom and happiness if they pay the price. However, in chapter 42 of The Handmaid's Tale, we can clearly see that the characters choose submission and oppression. Sadly, Gilead’s population decides to act like pawns and serve the leaders instead of taking action.

Gilead’s population knows that “They tell you only the day before”(Atwood 340) the “salvagings” or other cruel activities. It’s very interesting that people don’t prepare in advance for what is to come. Maybe they are afraid? After all, an Eye could catch them in the act and repercussions could take place. When Offred arrived at the “Salvaging”, she looked up and remarked  “These buildings belong to the Eyes now”(Atwood 340), implying that she is aware of the Eyes potential headquarters, unsurprisingly no plans of attack were even thought of. Offred claims to be against Gilead’s new ideology yet does nothing to inconvenience them. Before the “salvaging” begun, Aunt Lydia made a speech to express what she wants the handmaids to think: “(...) I am certain we would all rather be doing something else (...) it is in the name of duty that we are here today.”(Atwood 343). Aunt Lydia implies that the handmaids should think that it is indeed an unfortunate event, but their duty must be executed. Sadly, some of the handmaids will give up on their own thoughts and will submit to this ideology and the rest of them choose to accept the suppression put upon them. This will sound crazy but even Gilead has admitted that they are afraid of rebellious acts. “(...) we have found that such a public account, especially when televised, is invariably followed by (...) an outbreak I should say, of exactly similar crimes.”(Atwood 344). This announcement creates a perfect opportunity for the citizens of Gilead to plan an attack to break free of this horrendous newly formed society. Yet again, the people do absolutely nothing… Instead of looking for opportunities to take action and get themselves out of this terrible society, they suppress themselves further by looking down and doing what they are expected to do. “I don’t want to see it anymore. I look at the grass instead.”(Atwood 345) At this point, there’s no getting out.

All in all, the people of Gilead have went from independent to pawns that serve the “kings”. If the people of Gilead want to end the oppression, they need to take risks and act against Gilead. Ultimately, oppression will only end when risks are taken by Gilead’s citizens, but as of now, the pawns seem to enjoy life in their new, oppressive society.