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Offred's Rebellion


Dreams and reality can often be difficult to distinguish, but for Offred it is simple seeing as everything about her reality is a nightmare and her only escape is to dream. Through her dreams, the narrator is able to tap into memories from her past even though she realizes that her old life has disappeared and she can never get it back. My interpretation of the chapter leads me to believe that the more the narrator remembers her past, the more it pushes her towards wanting to act against Gilead’s totalitarian regime. In fact, Offred’s lack of power under the new government's control motivates her rebellious thoughts and actions pushing her to act against her government.


Coincidentally in this chapter, our narrator receives helpful information that could be just what she needs as fuel to move forward with the rebellion. This is seen when Ofglen decides to share information about the organized rebellion with Offred during their routine walk to the store, “There’s a password...so you can tell who is, and who isn’t.” (Atwood 253) Here, Ofglen confirms that not everybody is following the rules, and the use of the word 'Mayday' allows rebels to identify who is willing to fight against the government. To wrap up this conversation, Ofglen allows Offred to see that playing by the rules can be more dangerous than breaking them like, her trouble getting pregnant with the commander being perceived as her fault.



Incidentally, shortly after her discussion with Ofglen, Offred is put in a position where she must decide whether or not to break the rules.This makes Offred reflect on her pregnancy situation. Offred has little time to get pregnant. She has already had many issues with the pregnancy over time. After many tries in three different homes and commanders, they have all been unsuccessful in impregnating her. She gets an offer from Serena to get pregnant another way, “Maybe you should try it another way... another man” (Atwood 257). This is against the laws of Gilead. This dangerous proposition, makes Offred hesitate, she really wants to be safe from being sent to the colonies, but by not getting pregnant she is not safe either. Offred is terrified of taking the huge risk that could end up putting her life on the line. The other man that Serena proposes is Nick. This gives Offred more hope of becoming pregnant and she accepts the offer. Serena acted with sympathy and kindness, she even gives Offred one of her cigarettes.


Thus in this chapter, Offred finally decides to take a step towards freedom. It is the first time that she would commit a rebellious act against the new government. Offred's lack of control and power and being in this society leads her to do anything to have influence over her own actions. She learns that there is hope for a better and brighter future. Will she finally become pregnant?

Commentaires

  1. Anonyme18 novembre 2018 à 20:51

    I find common grounds with you when you state that Offred despises Gilead's ways and that she feels the need to rebel against it. However, I haven't seen Offred do any rebellious actions against the newly formed government. When you say that Offred acknowledged the secret password "Mayday", in no way did she partake in rebellious actions, she was just throwing the word to identify the other "rebels" and talk smack against Gilead. No actions were taken by Offred, in fact, she didn't even dare to lift a finger on an authoritative representative of Gilead throughout the whole story! In addition, how is getting pregnant considered rebellious? She wasn't getting pregnant with someone she loved, she was getting pregnant because she is obeying Gilead's rules. All in all, I understand where you're coming from, but I wouldn't call her little actions rebellious. To me, those are actions of selfishness and self praise, to brag about pregnancy and avoid the colonies or secretly talk behind Gilead's back to feel relief.

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