1) Choose a passage that stands out to you/intrigues you/confuses you.Type up the passage, in its entirety, and cite it.
2) Then, either:
- Ask a question and work through your confusion in a thorough response. Call on your classmates to also engage with this passage and unpack it together.
OR--
- Make a connection to the news/your own life/another text as a means to dig deeper into the meaning of a passage
OR--
- Look at specific language/literary devices/tools and write a response in which you examine the EFFECT of these devices. What do these observations that you've made DO for your initial understanding of the speaker and the world that she lives in?
Some reminders:
- Make sure that you BOTH create your own comment and also respond to a classmate's comment.
- Sign in using your full name so that your first and last name appear next to your comment.
- Make sure that you comment under your band
- Don't repeat classmates' passages. If someone has already used yours, then respond to it directly and choose another. There's plenty to discuss.
- Your comment should be at least 5-7 sentences or longer. Your reply to a classmate should be a thorough reply that pushes the conversation forward by asking follow-up questions and/or making connections to other parts of novel or other works. The use of textual evidence in a response is a great way to keep the conversation going.
- Please use appropriate grammar/punctuation. This is NOT a text message.
- Blog posts are due by 10pm the night before class so that I can read them ahead of time. Let's get this done at a reasonable hour, people!
Format:
"......" (17).
Response:
“Night has fallen, then. I feel it pressing down on me like a stone. No breeze. I sit by the partly open window, curtains tucked back because there’s no one out there, no need for modesty, in my nightgown, long-sleeved even in summer, to keep us from the temptations of our own flesh, to keep us from hugging ourselves, bare armed. Nothing moves in the searchlight moonlight” (191).
ReplyDeleteAtwood’s use of simile illustrates the oppression that Offred feels in Gilead, as the dark night bears down on her “like a stone”. The lack of a breeze indicates that life at Gilead is static, as its undesirability and routine seldom changes. The dystopian environment that Offred must tolerate is devoid of meaningful human connection and freedom, hence the “long-sleeved” nightgown Offred has to wear “even in summer”, so she does not experience human touch, even if it is her own body. Soothing oneself is not allowed, which fuels the sense of loneliness even more. The reader certainly feels for her, and realizes that she will never get used to her “new normal”, that is, her life in Gilead. Moreover, the confining environment Offred has to live in is portrayed by the lack of liveliness in it, as “Nothing moves in the searchlight moonlight”, thus showing the area is devoid of life/movement. Does Offred feel that the moon is like a searchlight, as she is used to seeing searchlights in an oppressive environment and now thinks this way, or, is Atwood cleverly combining these two terms, to show the combination of the man-made (the searchlight) conflicting with the natural beauty of nature (the moonlight)?
I truly love your analysis of this quote. I truly agree that the fact that Offred is forced to where a long sleeve night gown during night time intensifies this notion of loneliness. It is so significant that the handmaids can't even make too much contact with their own body. You would think that at night the handmaids are finally able to set free, kind of like when you get home after a long day and your able to kick off your shoes and lay down. I have also noticed that Atwood constantly refers to clothing in Gilead. For example the color coded dress attire that each women of different rank is forced to obey. And now the long sleeve sleepwear, forcing the women to even look a certain way when they sleep.
DeleteI completely agree with this analysis, and believe that Atwood is definitely symbolic in comparing the night to that of a stone. As well, many nights, Offred is summoned by the Commander and illegally spends time with him. Although we do not know what happens if she were to get caught, we know that it is imperative she does not. Because of this, I believe that many nights Offred lives in fear and almost feels weighed down with guilt. For her, nighttime is a time when she is alone, and this is most terrifying to her, as it forces her to confront the all too real reality she is living in.
Delete"Little of that formality remains between us. I no longer sit stiff necked, straight-backed feet regimented side by side on the floor, eyes at the salute. instead my body's lax, cozy even."(page 183)
ReplyDeleteWhat does this quote imply about offreds relationship with the Commander and the way they both feel?
Well for starters it is very clear that the commander offers Offed a sense of comfort. As individuals they seem to find warmth in their relationship making it weirder for them to do their job. According to Offred "His approbation laps me like a warm bath".Sexually their relationship is now awkward. You can tell that even the commander feels secure in the presence of offed because Atwood states that " As for the Commander, he's casual to a fault tonight. Jacket off, elbows on the table. All he needs is a tooth pick in the corner of his mouth." It is clear that Offed feels some kind of privilege when she's with the commander, the way they play scrabble and chat. It is also interesting that since Offred went out with Luke while he had another women it isn't so weird for her to feel like the Commanders mistress even though he's married to Serena Joy. It is even interesting that Offed find things in the commander that Luke himself lacked. "I sense in him none of the animosity that i used to sense in Luke sometimes. Hes not saying bitch in his head." This is a big transition in the book, it proves that Offred and her feelings about the commander are truly intensifying.
I totally agree with you. The contrast between their current meetings in the Commander’s study from when Offred was first “sent for”, is immensely different (181). Offred’s “red shoes are off”, as if she is, for the moment, physically breaking free from oppression, while the Commander is “positively daddyish” towards her (183-184). What is also interesting is that their relationship includes “a repertoire of...familiarities”, which frees Offred enough to tell the Commander that she would “rather just talk” about him, a move that under any other circumstance in this dystopian world would be treasonous (184). When the Commander reveals he “was in market research” and is “a sort of scientist...Within limits”, that clues the reader that perhaps he is one of the men in charge of Gilead, who even constructed its rules and manipulated people in order to make Gilead a reality. Market research involves using techniques to convince people to buy a certain product or lifestyle, and Offred’s Commander may have used those same procedures to give people an unrealistic sense of calm so the regime could take over, or to lure certain people to buy into the idea that this dystopian society would be the only way to save humankind, thus putting himself at the top of the societal hierarchy. What do you think?
DeleteI also noticed the parallel between Offred’s former life, when she was Luke’s mistress and “was poaching, on another woman’s ground”, just as she is the Commander’s mistress in Gilead and expressed “I was an intruder, in the territory that ought to have been hers [the Commander’s Wife]” (161,171). The only difference is that before, she did not appear to care about Luke’s wife, as Luke “was a human being and could make his own decisions”, versus now, Offred feels that “I was taking something away from her, although she didn’t know it” (161,171). I find this difference interesting, especially since the Commander’s Wife means “nothing” to Offred, and “she’d have me out of the house in a minute, or worse” if she were to ever find out (161).
“He hesitates at this novel idea. Possibly he doesn’t remember I can. I’ve never held a pen or pencil, in this room, not even to add up the scores. Women can’t add, he once said, jokingly. When I asked him what he meant, he said For them, one and one and one and one don’t make four. What do they make? I said, expecting five or three. Just one and one and one and one, he said” (186).
ReplyDeleteThis passage stood out to me in the reading, because, at first, it seems that the Commander is being ignorant of the female capability to retain information. It becomes clear that he means otherwise. In the first sentence, it is already made clear that this passage is focusing on women’s knowledge and now restrictions by Atwood who uses the word “novel” from among the wide range of options to describe an idea. As a noun, a novel is a book, something the Handmaids are forbidden from looking at or reading. The fact that Offred suspects the Commander of not remembering that she can write shows just how quickly the people in this society seem to have conformed. Offred herself can somewhat easily recall her life prior to the war but she questions the ability of her companion to, her companion being the one is has saved magazines as he is not ready to release the former world. Offred says that she has never held a pen or pencil in the Commander’s study, which also shows how quickly he has unknowingly adjusted to this society. Even in private, he does not offer Offred the pen or pencil because it does not occur to him anymore. This passage also lacks quotation marks, which might be because it is in the past or because they are discussing a woman’s role and the role of women in this society is somewhat unreal, therefore it is not a "real" conversation with quotation marks. Later in the book, Offred thinks, “What the Commander said is true. One and one and one and one doesn’t equal four. Each one remains unique” (192). I found this to be interesting because it highlights the difference between the two’s thoughts. From this, you can see that the Commander is aware of the fact that this society is wrong and women should not be generalized together. Offred is differentiating men in her mind, each of them being "a one". I find this to be ironic because Offred is spending so much time questioning this uniqueness of another gender when she, or any other woman, does not receive any sort of thought about this in return.
“She would say this a little regretfully, as though I hadn’t turned out entirely as expected. No mother is ever, completely, a child’s idea of what a mother should be, and I suppose it works the other way around as well. But despite everything, we didn't do badly by one another, we did as well as most. I wish she were here so I could tell her I finally know this.” (181)
ReplyDeleteIn this passage, a shift in how Offred views her mother is represented. As a child, Offred never quite understood her mother’s strong opinions as a result of her dive to stand for women’s rights, causing some sort of void in their relationship. Now thinking back, Offred appreciates her mother, and realizes there is no right way in parenting, and wishes she could tell her this. Though, why is it now that Offred comes to this realization, having lost her child and now living in a oppressive society? I believe, as a result of losing her daughter, Offred feels she has failed her child, and sympathizes with her mother, as Offred had once too put that sort of burden on her. Knowing this, Offred wishes she could tell her mother she did the best she could, as she wishes her own daughter could do the same, to relieve her of the guilt she may be feeling. However, living in a society where women are not allowed to be individuals, the reason why Offred now appreciates her mother more could be because she now understands what she had been fighting for all along. Maybe she wishes she had been more open to the idea then, and fought with her so women could be protected today. Overall, this new society have made Offred more appreciative of the relationships she once had, no matter which ones, because she’s not allowed to have any in her new world.
This is a really interesting point that you're making, I didn’t really think about Offred maybe regretting not fighting for women's rights with her mother. I agree that she is definitely thinking about her relationship with her own daughter. I think we can dig a little deeper into this mother daughter bond that is represented quote. This bond reminds me of how we have talked about sisterhood undermining patriarchy and brings up the question, how does the bond between a mother and her daughter used as a means undermine patriarchy? Throughout the book I have noticed that Offred never reveals the name of her daughter. I think the author keeps this a secret to show how Offred knows her daughter better than anyone else, which highlights how women get to have this bond with a bond with their children that men never really get to have. Additionally, this mother daughter bond highlight that although the men have all the power in this society, the society still completely relies on the women to have children.
Delete"If I were Moira, I'd know how to take it apart, reduce it to cutting edges. I have no screw driver, but if I were Moira I could do it without a screwdriver. I'm not Moira… Moira was always more logical than I am." (171)
ReplyDeleteWe talked in class about how when Moira left the Red Center on p. 133 she was both revered as Offred’s “fantasy” and was also “like an elevator with open sides. She made [her] dizzy”. We decided in class that this was very telling as to Offred’s desire and ability to stand up for herself. So when I read this passage it made me think that when Offred says that she is not Moira she is not just referring to the fact that she cannot take apart an electric fan. I believe that Offred is actually admitting to both herself and the reader for the first time that she is not able stand up for herself and revolt in the way that Moira did. Additionally, I think that Offred’s diction shows to me that she is envious of Moira’s ability to be defiant. Phrases like “if I were Moira I could do it” are what led me to this conclusion.
I also began to think that Moira knowing how to “take it apart” and “reduce it to cutting edges” is symbolic for Moira’s ability to “take… apart” a situation and deduce what the correct response is; something that we have seen Offred fail to do, and is realizing she needs to know how to do as a result of seeing the Commander in his room.
Although this passage is from the first page of the reading, I believe there is a lot to pull from it and I wanted to hear what you guys think about this passage!
I think this bring up the question: how can Moira be so defiant and unafraid? I think that this is because Moira is more focused on herself and what she does in the world. On 178, Moira expresses excitement for the change to an extremely constrictive government. Offred, on the other hand, cannot understand her reaction. Offred still clings onto the idea that her life will someday be different and better, and she doesn’t want to be defiant in order to achieve that because she’s afraid of being killed, and not being able to experience a better life. This endless loop of thought that is most likely occurring in Offred’s brain is what bars her from setting herself free.
Delete"Since she'd decided to prefer women, and as far as I could see she had no scruples about stealing them or borrowning them when she felt like it. She said it was different, because the balance of power was equal between women so sex was an even-steven transaction" (172)
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this passage it reminded me of the relationship between the Comander and Offred. I thought about how Offred asked the Comander for lotion of some kind. In this situation Offred had as much power over the Comander as the Comander ahs over everyone else. They have an even-steven relationship just like Moira said about her relationships with women. I feel like this quote also shows us about sisterhood and how all the women used to care about each other and there was an idea of sisterhood in the society. However we see now with the Commander's Wife and Offred that this idea that sisterhood is not as prominatan.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDea Brogaard-Thompson
DeleteI think this quote is really interesting and I like the connection you made. to add on, I think this brings up the interesting idea of what happens to you if you're a homosexual in Gilead? Are you welcome? And In context of Moira and even others in the society who have come to the same conclusion as Moira about their sexuality, are they homosexual or is their desire for a sensual relationship that is equal, where they have the same power, so strong that their desire for a relationship with equal power overpowers their desire for a sexual relationship with the gender of their preference?
I think that both your analysis and Dea's question are interesting. In response to when you said the Commander and Offred’s relationship was “even-steven,” I think that that only holds true if you believe that bottom power is equivalent to actual power. In the example you used, Offred uses the Commander’s sexual desire for her as leverage for getting the lotion. Also, I wanted to reply to Dea’s question: what happens if you’re a homosexual in Gilead? I think on page 43 it is answered when it is said that two Guardians were hung for “Gender Treachery.” This leads Offred to question where these two were found and she suggests, “A barracks, a shower?” A barracks is building or set of buildings where soldiers are housed and a shower is a shower. Both are places where two men in this society could be intimate, and they were put on the Wall for it. This leads me to a slightly different but related question: are there homosexuals who had the same thoughts as Moira and decided to get out for no other reason than their sexuality?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete“Luke knelt beside me and put his arms around me. I heard, he said, on the car radio, driving home. Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s temporary.” (179)
ReplyDeleteThis passage stood out to me for many reasons, and I was able to make an immediate connection to Adiche’s Ted Talk we viewed in class. In the Ted Talk, she explains how a man cannot understand the true struggle and discrimination a woman faces unless he is put in her position. Luke, although he loves Offred, cannot grasp the severity of her, in this instance, losing her job and being revoked of monetary privileges. A few paragraphs down on the page, this is further demonstrated when Luke, consoling Offred, says, “It’s only a job.” (179) in reference to her being let go earlier on in the day. To Offred however, this is not only a job—it’s simply the inciting incident to the blatant discrimination that follows. By taking away the things that make someone independent, how can they not feel less like an equal human being? I think that this also provides interesting commentary on sisterhood within the novel, and the similar experiences the women go through to ultimately bind them together.
I really liked your analysis of this quote. I also wrote something like this, it had to do with Luke and offred's new changing behavior towards each other after the new rules have been implemented. I also think Luke's behavior is being influenced by these news rules, this shows in the line you used " its only a job" , this job was everything to offred, she has her own freedom and didn't have to rely on anyone for money, and just like that it ws taken from her. I also like how you connected this line to adiche because she is right, men cant understand women unless they are in their shoes. Imagine the roles were reversed, would Luke say its just a job to himself and just brush it off just like that?
DeleteI completely thought the same thing when analyzing this passage! However, as I kept reading I noticed that Offred mentions she wanted to lose her job -- "She must have been able to tell from my voice that this was what I wanted" (178). This, for me, immediately posed the question as to why valuable, desirable things for women were not appreciated or cherished, because although she mentions and refers to the past often, it does not necessarily mean she is reminiscent of it. This also brought me back to this notion Offred mentions prior to tonight's reading: "to want is to have a weakness" (136). Maybe the desire to obtain something that is no longer attainable, is a sign of weakness as opposed to strength and maybe this is why Offred wanted this valuable taken away from her - maybe its because she feels she is unworthy or undeserving of this privilege, as it is typically what patriarchal societies tend to brainwash women into believing.
Delete
ReplyDelete“He kissed me then, as if now i’d said that, things could get back to normal. But something shifted, some balance. I felt shrunken, so that when he put his arms around me, gathering me up, I was small as a doll. I felt love going forward without me, he doesn’t mind this, i thought. He doesn’t mind it all all. Maybe he even likes it. We are not each other’s anymore. Instead, i am his” - page 182
I understood this passage to explain how offred feels about the patriarchy is closing in and taking over the matriarchy due to the new rules leading to the gilead society. Offred says she feels like she is being shrunken and feels as small as a doll,when she says this she means that something bigger than her is overpowering her. This feeling offred describes in the line “ instead, i am his “ immediately makes her see Luke in a different light, one that Gilead type thinking has influenced her too. These observation I made helped me understand the initial reaction of offred feeling obsolete and going towards the notion of being an object instead of a person to Luke. The world is slowly changing around offred and she is starting to realize by the way is thinks Luke’s behavior has changed.
Kyra bergmann
I agree with this claim and I wanted to add that these "acts of love" that men are proposing are now being used to portray the idea that women have to accept whatever men throw at them, which makes women feel like dolls. Dolls were made to entertain it's owner and made for it's beautiful apperance they have. Offred feeling like a doll is dehumanizing her and symbolizing that she is only being used to pleasure Luke/men in this society.
Delete“ It’s only a job, he said, trying to soothe me. I guess you get all my money, I said. And i’m not even dead. I was trying for a joke, but it came out sounding macabre. ‘Hush’ he said. He was still kneeling on the floor. ‘You know i’ll always take care of you’. I thought, Already he’s starting to patronize me. Then I thought, already you’re starting to get paranoid.” (pg. 179)
ReplyDeleteThis passage stood out to me because you can see how aware she is that in that moment she has lost all of her power in her household by losing her job. The fact that she is casually joking about it shows how unrealistic and surreal this idea of being powerless is to her. By comparing losing all of her money to her husband and dying, it conveys how impactful it is on her that she is forcefully getting her money taken away from her. By telling her to hush, and that he will always take care of her he thinks he is providing her with comfort when in fact it is doing the opposite. She is not relieved that he will now take care of her, she is horrified at the idea that she now has to rely on a man to live. He is patronizing her, she is not paranoid, by making her feel like she is being paranoid it demonstrates how society,and even the people closest to you, slowly brain washes women in the most subtle ways possible.
I agree with everything that you said except for the people closest to you brainwashing you and when I read the passage I was thinking the exact same thing. When I read over what you just wrote now I realized though that the people closest to her, in this case Luke, are also brainwashed by society in the same way that she is. I don't think that Luke even realizes what impact the loss of her job and of her power has on her. I think that because he is so confident in his position that he doesn't think that this can ever happen to him and so he's just not seeing it in her perspective but I don't think that he's trying to brainwash her in any way.
DeleteI completely agree with both of your points. I think it is true that all people, even the narrator's husband, and the people we are closest to today, are brainwashed in some way by society. But I think the most substantial part of this passage is the fact that the main character herself is brainwashed. She feels guilty about accusing Luke of being patronizing. This is seen when she think to herself: "Already you're starting to get paranoid" (179). There are other parts of the passage that also show this tendency for the main character to blame herself.
Delete"'What would you like to read tonight?' He says... 'I think I'd rather just talk,' I say... 'What would you like to talk about?' I falter. 'Anything, I guess. Well, you, for instance.'" (184)
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this I was wondering why she would give up her chance to read, something that she compared to starving without, in order to get to know the commander. This really surprised me because throughout the book she has never cared about the commander and only looked for what she could gain out of their relationship. Now she is giving up her time to read in order to talk to that same guy that she was only indulging in order to gain freedoms or goods. I think that these times spent with him have actually changed her view of him now and I think that she is actually now starting to like him. I wonder of this was the commanders plan all along and why he even ever took an interest in her. I also wonder if the commander did this with any of the other handmaids.
I very much like your analysis of this quote and the questions you asked. I also wondered why she gave up her chance to read. I feel that it shows their changing relationship. It is clear that Offred barely talks to others in this society and maybe having a real conversation is even stranger than reading. I think this passage also shows manipulation, not from the male side as we have seen before, but from Offred's side. She knows that if the Commander knows she is comfortable talking to him, he might become more relaxed around her as well and tell her things he should not. Although she values their relationship, in a way she is setting a trap for information.
DeleteI agree that she might feel connected to him in some way but I also believe that she might be trying to find out more about this society and what is going on and on top of that she is trying to find the commanders weak spot to be able to use him. For example, she asks him to tell her about what is going on showing that even though reading is a luxury she misses and loves having back she also misses the luxury of knowing what is going on and of knowledge. She also is aware that she will have no other opportunity to truly be know about what's happening right now and why did all of this occur. Also, she says that she "has something on him" showing that her intentions are not all that pure and she is smart enough to not trust him that much.
DeleteI agree that she might feel connected to him in some way but I also believe that she might be trying to find out more about this society and what is going on and on top of that she is trying to find the commanders weak spot to be able to use him. For example, she asks him to tell her about what is going on showing that even though reading is a luxury she misses and loves having back she also misses the luxury of knowing what is going on and of knowledge. She also is aware that she will have no other opportunity to truly be know about what's happening right now and why did all of this occur. Also, she says that she "has something on him" showing that her intentions are not all that pure and she is smart enough to not trust him that much.
DeleteJust to elaborate on the change in their relationship, I believe that part of the reason she wanted to talk to the commander is that she wanted to see whether or not she could trust him. In talking to him, she found that in reality, although their situations are different, they both share a longing to go back to their previous way of life. This connection, combined with the ability for her to speak freely within his room is the epitome of their growing bond.
Delete“I didn't go on any of the marches. Luke said it would be futile and I had to think about them, my family, him and her, I did think about my family. I started doing in more housework, more baking” (180).
ReplyDeleteThis quote reminded me of the sexist idea of the typical 1950s housewife that stay home and do the housework while the men go out and work. This quote illustrates how, as soon as Offred’s ability to work is taken away, she becomes this typical “housewife”. In this quote Offred says, “I did think about my family”, which shows that she feels that it is her job to take care of her family and to constantly think of them first. I think this highlights how women have this maternal instinct to take care of there family and make their homes as comfortable as possible for their children, that men don't have. I also think that in patriarchal societies men take advantage of this and make women look weak because they want to take care of their families. Additionally I think that this quote reveals that women conform to the stereotypes about them. The government took away all of the women's jobs to try to take away power from them and by not going to the riots and just staying home and doing housework, Offred is letting them take that power away from her. She starts to believe that it is her job to take care of the house and, I think, stats to believe that she doesn’t really deserve the rights she used to have.
I agree with you completely, when that page I thought of the same thing! In a way I feel like Offred has been brainwashed into thinking that cooking,cleaning, and etc. is all she as a woman can do because of the patriarchal society thats she's in.
DeleteI totally agree with what you are saying. Women are always catagorized throughout our society. Just like the women of Gilead. If they are not handmaids,for example, thay are catagorized as "unwomen". The transistion from a working mother to a housewife is extremely difficult, but is something that seems completely normal to men. Just like Adiche said; it is hard for men to completely understand the struggles that women go though. But its just a part of our society. Its a norm in our society.
Delete"I said there was more than one way of living with your head in the sand and that if Moira thought she could create Utopia by shutting herself up in a women-only enslave she was sadly mistaken. Men were not just going to go away, I said. You couldn't just ignore them"(172).
ReplyDeleteIn this passage Offred describes Moiras escape and Moiras character an idiotic way of trying to get out of this society. By Moira escaping, she believes that she is "free" but instead Offred explains how Moira is only "loose" from this society based on men. By ignoring men, you are just ignoring the fact that they control this society and creating an imaginary utopia. It is interesting that Moira believes that she can just ignore men because unlike Offred she is lesbian which shows us the different types of perspectives that women have on men.
"We are not each other's anymore. Instead I am his. Unworthy, unjust, untrue. But that is what happened."(182)
ReplyDeleteThis quotes is demonstrating how in a patriarchal society women are "supposed" to cater to men. This also ties in to what Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was saying about how in our society woman cater to men and how they are "supposed" to "give" themselves to men. By Offred saying that she is Luke's and Luke is not hers, its almost like she's debasing herself for this man because she's objectifying herself in a way. Because she even says she's "unworthy, unjust, and untrue." and then she says "But that is what happened", as if she's okay with that acceptance.
I agree Jalen! Everything has been given up to men; all life savings and hard work of women. More specifically, Offred's job was lost and all her money was given to Luke, showing all her possessions now belong to him. Before this, Luke always had power over her, as because Offred was his mistress, she was always waiting around for him, waiting to see him under his circumstances. Her money gave her some sort of power however, and when this was lost her power was too. Because these possessions were the main things that separated her as an individual from her husband, she feels she comes along with her money, in the possession of her husband. Though, by saying "But that is what happened", I don't think she is debasing herself, rather she is saying she had no control over what happened due to the circumstances although she wishes otherwise.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"I'll take care of it, Luke said. And because he said it instead of her he meant kill. That is what you have to do before you kill, I thought. You have to create an it, where none was before. You do that first in your head, and then you make it real. So that's how they do it I thought. I seemed to never know that before."
ReplyDeleteThrough this cat there is so much symbolism. The way that Luke made the cat seem like a normal object instead of a living thing he valued really showed how this society was created. Through fear that they instilled on the people they took away their individuality and made them seem as one so that if anything ever happened it wouldn't matter cuz there is so many more people who had the same value. Even though they didn't literally kill them they killed them inside and took away their hope and freedom. On top of that they took away the people they loved and completely brainwashed them to think they are only worth is to do what their job asks them to do.
“Again he smiles; this time you could call it a grin. I image freckles on him, a cowlick. Right now I almost like him” (214 in my version of the book).
ReplyDeletePreviously, the narrator described the Commander’s facial expressions as patronizing and pitiful for example when she said that he was looking at the magazine the way he would look at an almost extinct animal at the zoo. This quote is significant because it is the first time he appears truly happy and is not trying to ingratiate her. A “grin” signifies that a person is involuntarily elated. In his case, he feels nostalgia while thinking about his life before the revolution. One can see in this moment that he is not content with the state of the society today. This is exactly the reason why she says that she “almost like[s] him.” The thing they both have in common is a yearning for their past lives. Additionally, his title, “commander,” is meant to incite not only respect, but also fear and dread. Imagining the commander as a child allows her to see in him an innocent schoolboy not debased by the formidable values of the current society. This leads her to let go of her preconceived notions of the commander as a malicious person.
“No mother is ever, completely, a child’s idea of what a mother should be, and I suppose it works the other way around as well. But despite everything, we didn’t do badly by one another, we did as well as most. I wish she were here, so I could tell her I finally know this.”
ReplyDeleteI think the roles of women in a patriarchal are questionable. We have this idea of what a “typical mother” or a “typical daughter” or a “typical woman” should be like. But more often than not, women aren’t able to fill the roles the way they were “supposed to be” filled . Everyone is different. But something that I am slightly confused about is why Offred came to this conclusion now, why not when she was actually raising her child? And what was the “ideal mother” to Offred, and how did her and her mother compare to this ideal?
“No mother is ever, completely, a child’s idea of what a mother should be, and I suppose it works the other way around as well. But despite everything, we didn’t do badly by one another, we did as well as most. I wish she were here, so I could tell her I finally know this.”
ReplyDeleteI think the roles of women in a patriarchal are questionable. We have this idea of what a “typical mother” or a “typical daughter” or a “typical woman” should be like. But more often than not, women aren’t able to fill the roles the way they were “supposed to be” filled . Everyone is different. But something that I am slightly confused about is why Offred came to this conclusion now, why not when she was actually raising her child? And what was the “ideal mother” to Offred, and how did her and her mother compare to this ideal?
I think the reason she is thinking about it now is because then, it seemed normal ( something that she didn't have to think about, just do) but now that it is all gone she thinks about the bad things she did and what she could of done to be a better mother.
Delete"I'll take care of it, Luke said. And because he said it instead of her he meant kill. That is what you have to do before you kill, I thought. You have to create an it, where none was before. You do that first in your head, and then you make it real. So that's how they do it I thought. I seemed to never know that before."
ReplyDeleteThrough this cat there is so much symbolism. The way that Luke made the cat seem like a normal object instead of a living thing he valued really showed how this society was created. Through fear that they instilled on the people they took away their individuality and made them seem as one so that if anything ever happened it wouldn't matter cuz there is so many more people who had the same value. Even though they didn't literally kill them they killed them inside and took away their hope and freedom. On top of that they took away the people they loved and completely brainwashed them to think they are only worth is to do what their job asks them to do.
This, to me is similar to what the commander does in order to keep himself from feeling empathy towards the handmaids. By treating them like dogs, in his eyes, they slowly become them. This makes it easier for him to be able to do the evil things that he does while maintaining his sanity. The difference between him and Luke, however, is that Luke was doing it for the sake of the cat, whereas the commander is doing it for more greedy reasons.
DeleteGreat analysis by the way!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete“Women can’t hold property anymore, she said. It’s a new law. Turned on the TV today? No, I said. It’s on there, she said. All over the place. She was not stunned, the way I was. In some strange way she was gleeful, as if this was what she’d been expecting for some time and now she’d been proven right. She even looked more energetic, more determined” (178).
ReplyDeleteMoira’s unusual satisfaction, or excitement, for the change to a controlling government is not dissimilar to the unusual desire for an obviously immoral action of society that Offred expresses when she says she misses daily harassments, but it is a different kind of desire. This demonstrates how the extreme shift in government and society has made people want things they previously did not. Offred wants the freedom that going through daily harassment provides. Moira, even though she knows what has happened is horrible for women, enjoys the excitement and the chance to be a complete rebel against everything that her new situation provides. Moira ‘looked more energetic, more determined,’ because she had been given a purpose, a kind of freedom from her own life, a freedom to do anything she wanted to combat the system. Offred wants a different kind of freedom, one where she can live on her own terms even if it means giving up her protection from harassment. They both come to the realization they want these things because of the massive change in society, but what they actually want are two completely different lives entirely.
“The Commander likes it when I distinguish myself, show precocity, like an attentive pet, prick-eared and eager to perform” (183-184).
ReplyDeleteThe irony of this passage really drew my attention more than any other. Distinguishing one’s self implies a positive connotation – individuality, hesitance to conform to a society or a person that carries ideas or expectations one refuses to comply to – defiance. However, I don’t see how one can compare this admirable trait to an attentive pet; enslaved, no voice, no choice of salvation to even begin with. Therefore, I think this quote really speaks to the idea of how women are depicted despite the time period of the society by comparing a human being to a pet, implying that without being under control or inferior, they will become savage-like. Then again, this poses the question as to whether this is empowering for women, to know that there is really hope and worth underneath the shrouding of patriarchal ideology.
"Maybe night falls because it's heavy, a thick curtain pulled up over the eyes. Wool blanket. I wish I could see in the dark better than I do" (191).
ReplyDeleteWhile this whole quote and even the part above this quote intrigued me, the part where she says that she wishes she could see better in the dark, seemed to me like a cry for help. It gives off a sense of confusion and it seems like she is saying that right now her life is in the stage where she does not understand what is going on, and what the leaders of the society are plotting, or even if they are plotting anything. Also another very important piece of the quote is the part where she says that the night falls because it is heavy. The thought that came to my mind is that her old life is a heavy burden to bear in this new society because of how different and bad it is. She just cannot get past her old life and it drags her down. So I do not think that this quote really had anything to do with the night itself. Her life is the night, she is in a dark place now. That is what I think.
"Right now his cap's on sideways. Therefore I am sent for. What does he get for it, his role as page boy? how does he feel, pimping in this ambiguous way for the Commander? Does it fill him with disgust, or make him want more of me, want me more?"
ReplyDeleteI think Offred cares so much what people in her life think about, firstly because there arent many people in her life and since the Martha's and Commanders wives are always gossiping she doesnt want their relationship to be heard of since it is against the rules of this society. More importantly, i think she sees luke in Nick and is afraid of what he thinks because she is in a position he usually doesnt see her in because usually she is in charge but in the society she has become docile.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"If I were Moira, I'd know how to take it apart, reduce it to its cutting edges...Moira was always more logical than I am" (171).
ReplyDelete"By that time [Moira] was working for a women's collective, the publishing division" (178).
"My mother and her rowdy friends. I didn't see why she had to dress that way, in overalls, as if she were young; or to swear so much...She liked being more outrageous than I was, more rebellious" (180).
The way the main character describes her mother and best friend reflects a lot about her views on revolution and rebellion. Often times, we see the protagonist describe her mother and Moira in a way that seems spiteful or annoyed, but other times we see a hint of envy. In a sense, Offred seems attracted to or admirable towards women who value freedom, especially freedom from men. Although she claims to not be rebellious, we see our main character partake in multiple rebellious acts; being Luke's mistress, involving herself intimately with Nick and the Commander. However, all these examples are tied to her relationships with men, whereas her mother's and friend's examples are advocating for their freedom from men. This is where the discrepancy shows, and brings up the question; Why is this story being told from Offred's point of view instead of, say, Moira's? What does this show about the societ
"'She hanged herself," he says; thoughtfully, not sadly. 'That's why we had the light fixture removed. In your room.' He pauses. 'Serena found out,' he says, as if this explains it. And it does.
ReplyDeleteIf your dog dies, get another"
First off, the thing that struck me initially in this passage is the lack of human emotion shown by the commander. The thoughtfulness in leu of grief or even sadness really illustrates his what kind of person he is. Also, when he mentions that the chandelier was removed in order to stop hangings, it showed the reader how heartless he is. It is like giving a cone to a bird with depression in order to to prevent self-mutilation, not solving the problem, but making things easier for you.
Offred then goes on to compare the handmaids to dogs, opening my eyes to the other ways in which the handmaids are treated more like dogs than humans by the commander. The general heartlessness and lack of empathy that the commander has towards the handmaids is one example. Another example would be him using Offred as a source of companionship and entertainment, like someone would a dog. He keeps her close with treats. Hand lotion and magazines are what keep her obedient and well-trained. And after she is caught, he will just get a new one.
I agree this passage really pulls the reader back into a realistic view of the commander after the overplayed fake commander that appears to have a possible niceness to him. This piece truly shows the person he was when he created this society compared to the reckless person he is now that he has no repercussions for it
DeleteApologize for doing the assignment a few minutes before its was due. It completely left my mind until I checked Pupilpath to make sure I was done with my homework that I realized that we had a blog entry!
ReplyDelete"Torn bed sheets, I figure. I've considered the possibilites. "I suppose it was Cora who found her" I say. That's why she screamed. "Yes" he says "poor girl" he mean Cora" (187)
ReplyDeleteI think this quote is interesting because it shows another level of how each persons role in society is viewed. When the commander says "poor girl" he only refers to Cora. Because of coras line of work she can be something more than just an object used for breeding purposes. However when the commander only refers to Cora it is possible that he is showing one of two things. He could be showing guilt in that he avoids the fact that he was the reason this otherhand maid killed herself, or he could just be conforming to the society and he really does just think of these girls as an object as replaceable as flowers.
(Sorry I'm not sure if this went through so it might be a repost)