Themes: The Commodification of Womanhood
In Gilead, men and women adhere to traditional gender roles: men are the providers, working and participating in politics, whereas women stay home and oversee the household.
The Handmaid’s Tale dissects these gender roles to examine the specific ways patriarchal societies commodify women’s bodies and labor. Rather than having individual women assuming all of the traditionally feminine roles, Gileadan women are divided into classes based on socioeconomic function: Marthas do the cooking and cleaning, Aunts oversee the education of Marthas and Handmaids, Wives control their households, and Handmaids produce children.
Women who refuse to pledge loyalty to Gilead or who are proven to be infertile are declared “Unwomen.” Unwomen are sent to the colonies to perform hard labor, suggesting that in Gilead one’s womanhood is conditional on male approval.
Offred’s story primarily concerns the plight of Handmaids. Their bodies are commodified because of their fertility in a world plagued by declining birth rates. They are not allowed to fraternize with men or form meaningful relationships beyond their carefully regimented communities. If they fail to produce healthy children after a set amount of time, they are declared Unwomen, highlighting how Gilead only values their reproductive capabilities.
Offred’s ruminating on her changed relationship with her body post-revolution suggests that Gilead’s focus on reproduction and strict gender roles estranges women from their bodies: sex is no longer an intimate or pleasurable activity, and a Handmaid’s body is the propety of the Republic. This is affirmed by the fact that Handmaid’s do not get to raise the children they produce.
In addition to the Handmaids, Atwood subtly reveals the widespread dissatisfaction of characters from all levels of Gileadean society. Wives have arguably the most luxurious circumstances and are the epitome of Gileadean womanhood, supporting their husbands and raising children in accordance with Christian fundamentalist beliefs. In return, they receive a limited degree of power over other women. However, Serena Joy, a vocal antifeminist prior to the revolution, is depicted as a bitter, scheming, and unhappy person. Though her unhappiness seems to stem from the cloistered lifestyle that the Sons of Jacob expect of Wives, she blames other women—specifically Handmaids—for her dissatisfaction. Ultimately, relative safety and luxury—the “pro-woman” policies that Gilead claims to uphold—can be bought at the price of complicity.
Similarly, the Commander makes clear to Offred that he craves meaningful female companionship that Serena Joy cannot provide. However, he doesn’t acknowledge that the totalitarian Sons of Jacob are responsible for his loneliness and dissatisfaction, instead blaming pre-revolution women for necessitating the coup. Serena Joy and the Commander are simultaneously victims and perpetrators of the Gileadean dystopia. Atwood uses these characters to highlight the ways in which power and relative privilege can be used as currency, allowing people to become complicit in their own oppression in return for status.
Expert Q&A
What does the Commander want from Offred and what is the purpose of their Scrabble games?
The Commander wants companionship from Offred, as he lacks a fulfilling relationship with his wife. Their Scrabble games serve as a means for the Commander to build a connection and provide Offred with small freedoms, like reading, which are otherwise forbidden. This could be seen as a precursor to a desired sexual relationship, though his exact motives remain unclear.
Discuss how religion and/or scripture support the patriarchal regime in Gilead, using this quote from The Handmaid's Tale as a starting point.
“The Bible is kept locked up, the way people once kept tea locked up, so the servants wouldn't steal it. It is an incendiary device: who knows what we’d make of it, if we ever got our hands on it? We can be read to from it, by him, but we cannot read.” (The Handmaid’s Tale, p. 98)
Why do the names of handmaids in "The Handmaid's Tale" start with "of"?
In The Handmaid's Tale, handmaids' names start with “of” to show that, in the eyes of Gileadean society, they belong to men. So for instance, Offred belongs to Fred. This is a clear indication that handmaids have no identity of their own in Gilead and exist for the purpose of serving their commanders and their commanders' wives.
What is the meaning of Offred's statement "I am a national resource" in The Handmaid's Tale?
Offred's statement "I am a national resource" reflects her role as a handmaid in a dystopian society plagued by infertility. In this society, fertile women are valued for their ability to bear children for the ruling class. Offred, having proven her fertility in her past life, is seen as a commodity. Her identity is reduced to her biological function, highlighting the dehumanizing nature of the regime in the Republic of Gilead.
How does Margaret Atwood denounce the male gaze in The Handmaid's Tale?
In The Handmaid's Tale, Atwood denounces and emphasizes the prominence of the male gaze in the objectification of Gilead's women through Offred's thoughts about her body and the way the other characters view her body.
Why does Offred in The Handmaid's Tale frequently flashback to pre-Gilead society and what does Aunt Lydia mean by "dying of too much choice"?
Aunt Lydia tells the new Handmaids at the Red Center that "we were a society...dying of too much choice." (25)
Offred frequently flashes back to pre-Gilead society to illustrate the stark contrast between her past and present, highlighting the drastic cultural shift she endures. These memories show her life was similar to contemporary society, making her struggle relatable. Aunt Lydia's phrase "dying of too much choice" criticizes the pre-Gilead era's liberal choices, such as abortion and birth control, which she believes led to a declining birth rate by prioritizing personal preferences over procreation.
Does the Gilead Regime in The Handmaid's Tale successfully control and regulate sex and sexuality?
The Gilead regime in The Handmaid's Tale does not successfully control and regulate sex and sexuality. While laws exist to dictate sexual behavior, illicit activities persist, highlighting the regime's failure to fully enforce its rules. The regime's primary goal may not be total control but rather maintaining an appearance of regulation. Private rebellions serve as outlets for citizens, suggesting that such minor acts of defiance are tolerated to prevent larger uprisings.
What are four roles of men and women in Gilesd, and their ideal qualities? How do women's roles in current society compare, and what is Atwood's message about gender equality?
In Gilead, women serve as Handmaids, Marthas, Commanders' Wives, and men as Commanders. Handmaids are valued for fertility, Marthas for domestic roles, and Wives for supporting Commanders. Commanders enforce strict rules. In contrast, modern women balance motherhood and careers, facing societal pressures and judgments. Atwood's message highlights that gender inequality harms everyone, as seen in Gilead where no one is truly content, emphasizing the need for equality to benefit all.
In The Handmaid's Tale, what is the purpose of the prescribed clothing in New Gilead?
The prescribed clothing in New Gilead serves to enforce societal ideologies and control. It allows for identification and classification, with Handmaids in red symbolizing fertility and subjugation, while Wives wear blue, signifying higher status. The clothing eliminates individuality and enforces modesty, with shapeless dresses and restrictive headpieces preventing personal expression and contact. Overall, the clothing reinforces strict societal roles and hierarchies, aiming for total control over individuals.
What is the social function of "Prayvaganzas" in The Handmaid's Tale and why are they useful to Gilead?
"Prayvaganzas" in The Handmaid's Tale serve as ceremonial events that reinforce Gilead's patriarchal and authoritarian ideologies. Women's Prayvaganzas are mass weddings for young girls, promoting the state's control over female autonomy by framing marriage as a means of protection and stability. Men's Prayvaganzas celebrate military victories, while others mark forced religious conversions. These ceremonies uphold Gilead's social order and religious dominance, justifying the suppression of individual freedoms.
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