What do flowers symbolize? Look for sections with flowers and check who
is with the flowers, what color are they and what state are they in
(dead, fake, wilting, cut...). Find three pieces of evidence with citations to support
your claim.
After listening to different ideas on the flowers during the seminar, I was convinced with the connection of Yaliz, Jayali, and Albin's ideas.
The Flowers symbolize Women and Life. Every time you see a flower you think of women because they are beautiful, no matter what. You also see life because once the flower is done with its cycle it dies unless you add water. Similarly in the handmaid's tale. Their life depend on being fertile. They need to be capable of bearing offspring to prevent the end of their cycle. When Offred is in the driveway she sees "tulips along the border are redder than ever, opening, no longer wine cups but chalices; thrusting themselves up, to what end? They are, after all, empty" (45). This connects to women because when you are young you are "redder than ever", is your time to open and be the center of attention. However, when you don't produce what others want, you are just like an empty flower. Then you become old and start to wilt like a fading flower with the petals thrown out (45). This is a cycle of life. When Offred recalls her garden, she remembers "the plump shapes of bulbs held in the hands, fullness"(12). She feels full, complete because she is able to take care of it and actually own something. As Offred has her dream, she sees "close to her eyes a leaf, red, turned early, seeing every bright vein"(75). Every time a flower, tulip or leaf is mentioned in the book is usually the color red. This red is the color that identifies them as Handmaids. Most of these flowers end up in their wilting and dead state.
"This connects to women because when you are young you are "redder than ever", is your time to open and be the center of attention. However, when you don't produce what others want, you are just like an empty flower."
I strongly agree with this because when women are teenagers, they want to shine and stand out. They want to be able to do what they want and take advantage the opportunities they have. In the end they both die, the flowers and the Handmaids.
:D Like I said in my post, I believe that red can symbolize mixed emotions because red is a strong vivid color. It can represent love whereas it can also represent anger.
I think that red might symbolize oppresion. The handmaids are forced to wear this "strong vivid color" and also remember how Ms. K gave us a clue, "Off-red"? When I think of Offred, I think of resistance since she resists society by escaping into the past and the swaying of her hips (27). Then when I look at the clue "Off- red" I think red is the opposite of Offred which would mean oppresion.
Hmmm...I am starting to think that red could symbolize their identity because like you and Ms. Karvunis said, Off red means she's not 'red' so I'm starting to believe that she is trying to lose herself. In other words, she could be trying to lose her identity since she talks about both the past and the present, and then we are able to understand her thoughts. This is where the whole perspective thing comes in as Kevin A. said from Tuesday's seminar.
"I think red is the opposite of Offred which would mean oppresion." -Angela What I'm trying to say is that she doesn't fully expose herself (her emotions) and red is supposed to be a strong vivd color and she isn't like that so she is Off red. Get it?
I believe that the flowers symbolize Offred and every other women in their society.
"...around the edges, the flower borders, in which the daffodils are now fading and the tulips are opening their cups, spilling out color" (12)
This is seen by Offred when she goes into the garden. Not only do I believe that the flowers represent Offred, but also the women in society, including Serena Joy. The garden was the domain of the Commander's Wife and she was always there making sure her flowers were in place. Most wives had gardens since it was something for them to care for and maintain. The flowers are just starting to open which is like a new beginning for Offred since she is getting adjusted to her new life.
"I once had a garden. I can remember the smell of the turned earth, the plump shapes of bulbs held in the hands, fullness, the dry rustle of seeds through the fingers" (12).
I think this shows that flowers have a lot of layers so we really don't know what's under them unless we take a deeper look. This could show the loss of identity because the characters hide themselves and can't show themselves for who they really are. Offred has another voice which isn't heard. In other words, her thoughts and actions define who she truly is although she doesn't show it. That's why I believe that flowers are a symbol used to represent them, since flowers have many parts to them.
"The red of the smile is the same as the red of the tulips in Serena Joy's garden, towards the base where they are beginning to heal. The red is the same but there is no connection. The tulips are not tulips of blood, the red smiles are not flowers, neither thing makes a comment on the other. The tulip is not a reason for disbelief... " (33).
This shows that the flowers can represent emotions, especially the women's emotions and how they feel. The color could symbolize many mixed emotions. For example, red could symbolize anger or love. I believe that the way the flowers are there to also show a piece of joy and peace. After everything they're going through, flowers also change state, like the women. They bloom and if they don't they could die, or bend or have some petals torn off. If the petals are torn off, it could mean that the women have a feeling that something is missing, and when the flowers are blooming it can mean that the handmaids are conceiving since that's the purpose they are there. Also, when the flowers die, it could represent the handmaids who can't conceive because they are sent away.
I thought what you said in your second analysis was interesting. I mean, I never thought about it that way before. What specific diction choices in your evidence made you think that though?
I thought about a flower. Offred said she could remember the smell of the flower and this got me thinking that flowers have different traits I guess and we have different senses and perspectives on the way we view things. To me a flower has different layers like us. We don't fully show everything about ourselves. Like flowers, we could be ugly in the inside and beautiful on the outside, or the other way around.
When you talk about different layers, you remind me of Shrek. Shrek in the first movie says that ogres are like an onion, they have different layers and that people have to crack inside the layers to see what they are truly like. In other words, ogres are not what they seem like. I think it is the same with Offred. We have to see beneath her layers to find how she truly is like.
Angela Mendez Period 4 I believe the flowers symbolize the citizens of Gilead. The color of the flower determines who exactly they represent in the social hierarchy. For instance, the blue irises represent the wives. The flowers are painted and are in a frame with no glass (7). The wives are like the painted blue flowers. First of all, the color of the flower is blue like the color the wives are supposed to wear. Secondly, the painted blue flowers decorate the room where Offred is at. The wives are in the society to look pretty as well. In other words, the wives don’t do anything. The red tulips also represent citizens of Gilead. To be specific though, the red tulips represent the handmaids. The handmaids are controlled by the Wives and the Guardians. When the Offred describes the garden, she states that the red tulips were “a darker crimson towards the stem, as if they have been cut and are beginning to heal there” (12). Like the flowers, the handmaids don’t have control over their lives and are controlled for the benefit of others. The handmaids don’t have the right to stay where they want to stay and they have been ripped away from their homes. One last type of flowers represent the citizens of Gilead is the green lilies. The green lilies are in a cushion that has faith written on it and has “been overlooked” (57). These green lilies represent the Marthas who are servants. Readers might think that the Marthas don’t do much, but they actually keep everything stable like the green lilies. The cushion with faith written on it and with the green lilies is necessary to have. The cushion is a reminder to keep having faith in God. In a way it keeps people stable. The Marthas are necessary as well. They are the ones who take care of the handmaids, the wives and husbands. Given these points, I believe the flowers represent the citizens of Gilead.
Yes thank you, I was just wondering who because there are different groups of people? So by this do you think that each different TYPE of flower represents a group? For example, a daffodil could represent the Marthas while a tulip could represent the handmaids?
Pretty much. Let me summarize what I said in my paragraph. 1. The blue irises (7) represent the wives. 2. The red tulips (12) represent the handmaids. 3. The green lilies (57) represent the Marthas.
Yes, I agree with you because I also think that the state/ form of the flower represents who they are. For example, lilies could be delicate or other flowers could be rough.
I didn't even notice the green lilies until you mentioned it. I agree with you Angie that the green lilies represent the Marthas. To add on to what you said, the society takes the Marthas for granted causing them to relate to the quote "been overlooked" (57). Even though their ranking in the society isn't as high as the handmaids, they should have more recognition and have more respect in Gilead
I agree with all that's been stated before- that the flowers can represent the women/ handmaids/ groups in the Gilead society. But I also had a different perspective. I thought that the flowers represented a connection to life or a free life. In the novel, it's discussed that Offred doesn't have much in her room but "a chair, sunlight and flowers" (8) and on the wall she had "a picture, framed but with no glass; a print of flowers, blue irises, watercolors" (7). Flowers are supposed to be living things, and therefore it's a connection to life. The picture also doesn't have a glass on it because if there was, the handmaids may have killed themselves. However, it also shows that they are giving an open flower of a bright color, filled with life, to keep them alive (to avoid them from getting depressed from their restricted lives). In addition, Offred even tells the readers herself that the flowers are not "dismissed. I am alive, I live, I breathe... where I am is not a prison but a privilege" (8). This shows that the flowers keep her happy and she's connected with life. Now lets compare Offred to the Commander's Wife. Offred life is more restricted compared to the Commander's Wife. this is shown through their gardens. The commander's Wife has a garden (filled with flowers) while Offred doesn't (however she "once had a garden") (12). This shows that the commander's wife has a freer life and is connected,in which she "maintains and cares for it" (12). In contrast, Offred just has the painting, showing her life is a bit more restricted, and that was her only connection. (Summary: Before, Offred used to have a free life and had a garden but now she doesn't, it's only a flower. The commander's wife has a free life and has a garden.)
Another evidence that shows this free life/ connection is when Offred says "Downstairs, in the dining room, there will be candles... flowers..." (66) and explains that The commanders wife doesn't have to worry about finishing her food and is more free. In contrast, when Offred is eating, she's in her dull room and has to finish her food. (My point: Commander's wife → eats in the dinning room, doesn't have to worry about finishing food, is more free and there are Flowers(symbolizing free life) on the table. While Offred eats in her room, worries about finishing her food and isn't free (plus there's no flower=no free life).)
No, I didn't think it was confusing. I saw the connection that you've made between the flowers and life. I also understand the connection between life/flowers with the characters. However, the flower in the painting isn't actually a living flower, while the ones in the Commander's Wife's garden are living. Do you think that this adds on your explanation of life and freedom
I disagree with you on "flowers represented a connection to life or a free life". Some of the flowers were not free. The Commander's wife controls the red tulips with the guardians (12). I thought the blue flowers connected with the wives because those flowers were only decoration. They are there to look pretty just like the wives. The wives barely do anything. They are just simply there for decoration. Also, the commander's wife does not cook. That is the Marthas' job.
to Jaymes: Well.. since the flower in the painting isn't real, it shows that Offred isn't that free, but there's still a connection to life, Where the Commanders wife has real flowers/garden and has a free life.
to Angela: What I mean is that the flowers symbolize a connection to life (for Offred or any women) or symbolize a free life (in comparison between Offred and the Commander's wife).
This was just what I thought when I was reading the book, but your point seems logical as well- that it symbolizes the social groups of Gilead.
I think that the flowers symbolize women and their fertility. In the seminar, Yaliz and Albin have also said that the flowers represent women. The flowers mentioned in the book have different types in different states. Daffodils are one type of flowers that are mentioned. These flowers would connect to the Commander’s Wife because she owns the garden. Daffodils are yellow but these “Daffodils are now fading” (12). These flowers are dying and no longer young and non fertile. Just like the Commander’s Wife, she too is old and infertile. This is why in the garden, there are tulips. The tulips are “opening their cups, spilling out color” (12). The tulips are the handmaids that are fertile because “opening their cups” mean that both the maids and the tulips can have babies. The tulips are also described as “red, a darker crimson” (12). Like the handmaids and their role in society, the tulips are the fertile flowers in the garden. Flowers symbolize women’s fertility is supported by the growth of tulips. When the tulips grow, some of them are “empty, and the petals thrown out like shards” (45). Since the tulips represent the handmaids, the consequence of the tulips apply to the maids. If the handmaids cannot have a baby, then they are useless and sent to the Colonies with Unwomen (61). The color of the yellow daffodils are for the Commander’s Wife while the color of the red tulips are for the handmaids.
After listening to different ideas on the flowers during the seminar, I was convinced with the connection of Yaliz, Jayali, and Albin's ideas.
ReplyDeleteThe Flowers symbolize Women and Life.
Every time you see a flower you think of women because they are beautiful, no matter what.
You also see life because once the flower is done with its cycle it dies unless you add water. Similarly in the handmaid's tale. Their life depend on being fertile. They need to be capable of bearing offspring to prevent the end of their cycle. When Offred is in the driveway she sees "tulips along the border are redder than ever, opening, no longer wine cups but chalices; thrusting themselves up, to what end? They are, after all, empty" (45). This connects to women because when you are young you are "redder than ever", is your time to open and be the center of attention. However, when you don't produce what others want, you are just like an empty flower. Then you become old and start to wilt like a fading flower with the petals thrown out (45). This is a cycle of life. When Offred recalls her garden, she remembers "the plump shapes of bulbs held in the hands, fullness"(12). She feels full, complete because she is able to take care of it and actually own something. As Offred has her dream, she sees "close to her eyes a leaf, red, turned early, seeing every bright vein"(75). Every time a flower, tulip or leaf is mentioned in the book is usually the color red. This red is the color that identifies them as Handmaids. Most of these flowers end up in their wilting and dead state.
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Delete"This connects to women because when you are young you are "redder than ever", is your time to open and be the center of attention. However, when you don't produce what others want, you are just like an empty flower."
DeleteI strongly agree with this because when women are teenagers, they want to shine and stand out. They want to be able to do what they want and take advantage the opportunities they have. In the end they both die, the flowers and the Handmaids.
Hello :D
DeleteI have a question. What do you think the red symbolizes?
:D Like I said in my post, I believe that red can symbolize mixed emotions because red is a strong vivid color. It can represent love whereas it can also represent anger.
DeleteI think that red might symbolize oppresion. The handmaids are forced to wear this "strong vivid color" and also remember how Ms. K gave us a clue, "Off-red"? When I think of Offred, I think of resistance since she resists society by escaping into the past and the swaying of her hips (27). Then when I look at the clue "Off- red" I think red is the opposite of Offred which would mean oppresion.
DeleteHmmm...I am starting to think that red could symbolize their identity because like you and Ms. Karvunis said, Off red means she's not 'red' so I'm starting to believe that she is trying to lose herself. In other words, she could be trying to lose her identity since she talks about both the past and the present, and then we are able to understand her thoughts. This is where the whole perspective thing comes in as Kevin A. said from Tuesday's seminar.
DeleteWait, are you saying that her identity is red?
DeleteI mean, the person who she is forced to be?
"I think red is the opposite of Offred which would mean oppresion." -Angela
DeleteWhat I'm trying to say is that she doesn't fully expose herself (her emotions) and red is supposed to be a strong vivd color and she isn't like that so she is Off red. Get it?
Ohhhh... I feel dumb. I get it.
DeleteDon't feel dumb I guess I didn't explain it right.
DeleteThanks for being patient with me. :D
Delete:D no problem. It's part of being a leader I guess ;)
DeleteI like how we're the only ones really commenting on this.
DeleteWord. Think the same.
DeleteGreat minds think alike :D
I really like that comment.
DeleteI believe that the flowers symbolize Offred and every other women in their society.
ReplyDelete"...around the edges, the flower borders, in which the daffodils are now fading and the tulips are opening their cups, spilling out color" (12)
This is seen by Offred when she goes into the garden. Not only do I believe that the flowers represent Offred, but also the women in society, including Serena Joy. The garden was the domain of the Commander's Wife and she was always there making sure her flowers were in place. Most wives had gardens since it was something for them to care for and maintain. The flowers are just starting to open which is like a new beginning for Offred since she is getting adjusted to her new life.
"I once had a garden. I can remember the smell of the turned earth, the plump shapes of bulbs held in the hands, fullness, the dry rustle of seeds through the fingers" (12).
I think this shows that flowers have a lot of layers so we really don't know what's under them unless we take a deeper look. This could show the loss of identity because the characters hide themselves and can't show themselves for who they really are. Offred has another voice which isn't heard. In other words, her thoughts and actions define who she truly is although she doesn't show it. That's why I believe that flowers are a symbol used to represent them, since flowers have many parts to them.
"The red of the smile is the same as the red of the tulips in Serena Joy's garden, towards the base where they are beginning to heal. The red is the same but there is no connection. The tulips are not tulips of blood, the red smiles are not flowers, neither thing makes a comment on the other. The tulip is not a reason for disbelief... " (33).
This shows that the flowers can represent emotions, especially the women's emotions and how they feel. The color could symbolize many mixed emotions. For example, red could symbolize anger or love. I believe that the way the flowers are there to also show a piece of joy and peace. After everything they're going through, flowers also change state, like the women. They bloom and if they don't they could die, or bend or have some petals torn off. If the petals are torn off, it could mean that the women have a feeling that something is missing, and when the flowers are blooming it can mean that the handmaids are conceiving since that's the purpose they are there. Also, when the flowers die, it could represent the handmaids who can't conceive because they are sent away.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI thought what you said in your second analysis was interesting. I mean, I never thought about it that way before. What specific diction choices in your evidence made you think that though?
DeleteI thought about a flower. Offred said she could remember the smell of the flower and this got me thinking that flowers have different traits I guess and we have different senses and perspectives on the way we view things. To me a flower has different layers like us. We don't fully show everything about ourselves. Like flowers, we could be ugly in the inside and beautiful on the outside, or the other way around.
DeleteWhen you talk about different layers, you remind me of Shrek. Shrek in the first movie says that ogres are like an onion, they have different layers and that people have to crack inside the layers to see what they are truly like. In other words, ogres are not what they seem like. I think it is the same with Offred. We have to see beneath her layers to find how she truly is like.
DeleteI really like your allusion.(It's making me smile) It's really easy to understand.
Delete:D Well that's me. I love Shrek and Donkey :)
Delete(laughing out loudddd)i can tell.
DeleteWell, you know... Shrek = one of the greatest movies ever
DeleteAngela Mendez
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
I believe the flowers symbolize the citizens of Gilead. The color of the flower determines who exactly they represent in the social hierarchy. For instance, the blue irises represent the wives. The flowers are painted and are in a frame with no glass (7). The wives are like the painted blue flowers. First of all, the color of the flower is blue like the color the wives are supposed to wear. Secondly, the painted blue flowers decorate the room where Offred is at. The wives are in the society to look pretty as well. In other words, the wives don’t do anything. The red tulips also represent citizens of Gilead. To be specific though, the red tulips represent the handmaids. The handmaids are controlled by the Wives and the Guardians. When the Offred describes the garden, she states that the red tulips were “a darker crimson towards the stem, as if they have been cut and are beginning to heal there” (12). Like the flowers, the handmaids don’t have control over their lives and are controlled for the benefit of others. The handmaids don’t have the right to stay where they want to stay and they have been ripped away from their homes. One last type of flowers represent the citizens of Gilead is the green lilies. The green lilies are in a cushion that has faith written on it and has “been overlooked” (57). These green lilies represent the Marthas who are servants. Readers might think that the Marthas don’t do much, but they actually keep everything stable like the green lilies. The cushion with faith written on it and with the green lilies is necessary to have. The cushion is a reminder to keep having faith in God. In a way it keeps people stable. The Marthas are necessary as well. They are the ones who take care of the handmaids, the wives and husbands. Given these points, I believe the flowers represent the citizens of Gilead.
Who exactly do you mean when you say the citizens of Gilead?
DeleteI think that each different colored flower represents a different group of society.
DeleteDid that answer your question?
DeleteYes thank you, I was just wondering who because there are different groups of people? So by this do you think that each different TYPE of flower represents a group? For example, a daffodil could represent the Marthas while a tulip could represent the handmaids?
DeletePretty much.
DeleteLet me summarize what I said in my paragraph.
1. The blue irises (7) represent the wives.
2. The red tulips (12) represent the handmaids.
3. The green lilies (57) represent the Marthas.
Yes, I agree with you because I also think that the state/ form of the flower represents who they are. For example, lilies could be delicate or other flowers could be rough.
DeleteI didn't even notice the green lilies until you mentioned it. I agree with you Angie that the green lilies represent the Marthas. To add on to what you said, the society takes the Marthas for granted causing them to relate to the quote "been overlooked" (57). Even though their ranking in the society isn't as high as the handmaids, they should have more recognition and have more respect in Gilead
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all that's been stated before- that the flowers can represent the women/ handmaids/ groups in the Gilead society. But I also had a different perspective. I thought that the flowers represented a connection to life or a free life. In the novel, it's discussed that Offred doesn't have much in her room but "a chair, sunlight and flowers" (8) and on the wall she had "a picture, framed but with no glass; a print of flowers, blue irises, watercolors" (7). Flowers are supposed to be living things, and therefore it's a connection to life. The picture also doesn't have a glass on it because if there was, the handmaids may have killed themselves. However, it also shows that they are giving an open flower of a bright color, filled with life, to keep them alive (to avoid them from getting depressed from their restricted lives).
ReplyDeleteIn addition, Offred even tells the readers herself that the flowers are not "dismissed. I am alive, I live, I breathe... where I am is not a prison but a privilege" (8). This shows that the flowers keep her happy and she's connected with life.
Now lets compare Offred to the Commander's Wife. Offred life is more restricted compared to the Commander's Wife. this is shown through their gardens. The commander's Wife has a garden (filled with flowers) while Offred doesn't (however she "once had a garden") (12). This shows that the commander's wife has a freer life and is connected,in which she "maintains and cares for it" (12). In contrast, Offred just has the painting, showing her life is a bit more restricted, and that was her only connection. (Summary: Before, Offred used to have a free life and had a garden but now she doesn't, it's only a flower. The commander's wife has a free life and has a garden.)
Another evidence that shows this free life/ connection is when Offred says "Downstairs, in the dining room, there will be candles... flowers..." (66) and explains that The commanders wife doesn't have to worry about finishing her food and is more free. In contrast, when Offred is eating, she's in her dull room and has to finish her food. (My point: Commander's wife → eats in the dinning room, doesn't have to worry about finishing food, is more free and there are Flowers(symbolizing free life) on the table. While Offred eats in her room, worries about finishing her food and isn't free (plus there's no flower=no free life).)
Was I confusing?
No, I didn't think it was confusing. I saw the connection that you've made between the flowers and life. I also understand the connection between life/flowers with the characters. However, the flower in the painting isn't actually a living flower, while the ones in the Commander's Wife's garden are living. Do you think that this adds on your explanation of life and freedom
DeleteI disagree with you on "flowers represented a connection to life or a free life". Some of the flowers were not free. The Commander's wife controls the red tulips with the guardians (12). I thought the blue flowers connected with the wives because those flowers were only decoration. They are there to look pretty just like the wives. The wives barely do anything. They are just simply there for decoration. Also, the commander's wife does not cook. That is the Marthas' job.
Deleteto Jaymes:
DeleteWell.. since the flower in the painting isn't real, it shows that Offred isn't that free, but there's still a connection to life, Where the Commanders wife has real flowers/garden and has a free life.
to Angela:
What I mean is that the flowers symbolize a connection to life (for Offred or any women) or symbolize a free life (in comparison between Offred and the Commander's wife).
This was just what I thought when I was reading the book, but your point seems logical as well- that it symbolizes the social groups of Gilead.
Jaymes Yuen
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
I think that the flowers symbolize women and their fertility. In the seminar, Yaliz and Albin have also said that the flowers represent women. The flowers mentioned in the book have different types in different states. Daffodils are one type of flowers that are mentioned. These flowers would connect to the Commander’s Wife because she owns the garden. Daffodils are yellow but these “Daffodils are now fading” (12). These flowers are dying and no longer young and non fertile. Just like the Commander’s Wife, she too is old and infertile. This is why in the garden, there are tulips. The tulips are “opening their cups, spilling out color” (12). The tulips are the handmaids that are fertile because “opening their cups” mean that both the maids and the tulips can have babies. The tulips are also described as “red, a darker crimson” (12). Like the handmaids and their role in society, the tulips are the fertile flowers in the garden. Flowers symbolize women’s fertility is supported by the growth of tulips. When the tulips grow, some of them are “empty, and the petals thrown out like shards” (45). Since the tulips represent the handmaids, the consequence of the tulips apply to the maids. If the handmaids cannot have a baby, then they are useless and sent to the Colonies with Unwomen (61). The color of the yellow daffodils are for the Commander’s Wife while the color of the red tulips are for the handmaids.