- An allusion, its meaning, where it comes from and how it connects to HT
- some italicized words and why you think Atwood italicizes them
- repeated words or images, what you think they mean, and why she repeats them
- any element of satire you see with evidence and analysis of what it is satirizing
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Mandatory Post due by 5/13
Post one of the following topics from your reading of 37-50 in HT:
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I would look at the past posts. Some of you peers have really fantastic thoughts and questions that clarify roles and concepts. Nice job to Joe, Angela, Yuris, Wai Wing and Wendolinne!
ReplyDeleteAn element of satire was warped logic on page 38, when Moira said she did a paper on date rape. Date rape involves sexual intercourse without mutual feelings, it can be from an acquaintance or just a stranger. The warped logic of it is when Offred said, "Date rape i said. Your so trendy. It sounds like a dessert. Date rapé."(38). This makes it seem in their life date rape was common and a joking issue where in our life it isnt.
ReplyDeleteTheres also warped logic when she says "Theres a difference between lie and lay."(37). She says Laying down is passive and also sexual, where to lie is the opposite. This is warped logic because theres really no difference between lie and lay in the sense of lieing down, but to lie is correct grammer while to lay is not. so whether or not shes lieing or laying shes doing the same thing. But to say get laid is sexual intercourse not lieing by ones self.
Italicized words:
Lie and Lay (37). Atwood italicized these two words to show shes usuing them in a different deffinition.
You (40) She italicized you because she wants us to know that Offred is telling the story to us or you as in the reader. Not only you as in the reader but all the different way you can be used.
Joseph,
DeleteThere is a difference in lay and lie for Offred. Passive means accepting something willingly. Maybe the women aren't willingly accepting society and can't do nothing about it. I mean how can they? The women are powerless which means it is hard for the women to act.
Wai Wing Lau
DeletePeriod 8: Honors Humanities
I agree with Angela. The definition itself does not change; rather the connotation of the two words is different. As Angela explained, to 'lay' was a reference to getting 'laid' a casual way we say that we just had sex. However fertile handmaids under this oppressive society are ordered to 'lie' down and have sex only to produce the children, ensuring the human race still exists.
Period 8
DeleteI agree with Joseph and i'd like to add on. It's ironic to see Offred respond saying that date rape sounds like a dessert. You wouldn't expect a person to respond saying rape is like a dessert. Maybe to some people back then rape was ok it might have been the dessert of their day.
Gianni Alexander
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
5/12/12
An allusion from the book:
Milk and Honey (47)- comes from Exodus 3:8; milk in the Old Testament is the goods and products harvested from the land. Milk is also associated with sheep and goats. Sheep= clothing and goats= milk and cheese. Honey refers to the goodness, grace and mercy. Milk and Honey refers to the basics of saving faith our knowledge of our Lord and what he has done on this earth as our High Priest. This connects to H.T. because in the book, Offred went to Milk and Honey to get oranges which are goods and products harvested from the land. Also in the Bible, God describes the land of Milk and Honey as the "Promised Land". The oranges in H.T. may possibly symbolize goodness because fruits are considered healthy and good for you.
Some italicized words:
m'aidez (44) the author italicized this word to let the reader know that it's a word from another language.
mine (49) the author italicized this to put stress on the word because it may have a bigger meaning later on in the book.
I think Atwood italicized the word m'aidez more than just to just let the reader know it's a word from another language. I think Atwood maybe italicized the word so the readers can see that these citizens need help to get freed from this harsh society.
DeleteI agree with you Angela, I felt that the word M'aidez was used as a message that the people from Gilead needed to be freed. Notice how the words "Help me" were the last two words on that sentence. Implying that there's more than just meets the eye
DeleteI agree, Atwood must have had a reson to teach people about the word "Mayday",(44) which was also Italicized. The fact that he put the meaning of M'aidez on the end of the sentence was probably to let people know their mayday or sos call.
DeleteMinyi Ruan
ReplyDeleteperiod 8
An allusion, its meaning, where it comes from and how it connects to HT
Whirlwind(45)
In the bible, whirlwind is the way that God uses to moved or appeared.
"Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind."(Job 38:1)
In the book, the author uses this term for the Commander's car. In both book and Bible, whirlwind is uses to help people move. It also shows how powerful the Commander is since he moves as the God.
Italicized words:
ReplyDelete“lie and lay” (37) Atwood might have italicized these two words to emphasize the differences in meaning towards Offred and to show how even though these two words mean the same thing it holds a different meaning to certain people. In Offred’s case, it shows a bit of personality on how she lets even words limit her thoughts.
“Date rape” (38) The narrator's pun on "date rape" depends on the fact that "rapé " means "grated" or "shredded" in French; a date is a fruit. Atwood might have italicized this because shows what kind of person Offred was in the past. Also, it shows how woman in the past were able to make inappropriate jokes such as this one in comparison to the present life, where woman aren’t even allowed to read words such as store names because it might be too much of a temptation (25).
“Where is she? What have you done with her?” (39) I think Atwood italicized this line because one, instead of just a normal tone of talking the speaker is whispering. It can also be because the author wants to make the line stand out to make the lines more memorable.
“Dear You” (40) I think the author italicized this because instead of just Offred’s thoughts or dialogue, Offred refers to what she would write in a letter.
“You” (40) This was probably italicized to emphasize how broad the word “you” is.
“Mayday” (44) I think this was italicized because the speaker is openly referring to something or alluding the word to Beethoven.
“m’aidez” (44) This was probably italicized because of it’s importance. After Luke said this word, the Atwood follows up with Offred saying “Help me” (44) which shows how this word meant a lot to her and it makes an impact of her life.
“Serena Joy” (45) For this word Offred refers to the word when she mocking the name Serena Joy and how it sounds like the brand of something you put in your hair.
“Time” (45) “Newsweek” (45) I think these two words were italicized because the author is giving out examples of Newspaper magazines from the past.
“mine” (49) This might have been italicized to emphasize the word to show how the word takes an effect on Offred’s character and her thoughts.
I believe that Atwood italicized the word mine because she is shock that she is admitting the room is hers. At first, she deny in accepting that that is her room, but now she is accepting it as a fact.
DeleteI agree with Yuris because since Offred is a handmaid, she doesn't have as many rights as the Marthas. She is probably happy or has other mixed feelings to show that she has something to call it hers.
DeleteI agree with Yuris that Offred is probably happy or has mixed feelings due to the fact that she is a handmaid and has limited rights as the Marthas. She is probably ecstatic to call something hers.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRepeated words:
ReplyDeleteThe word "you" (40) is repeated couple of times (though only in that one part of the book). I think she repeats "you" because as Offred is explaining how "you" can mean more then one, you can see that she is over using the word "you" to possibly represent more then one in a direct way.
It can also mean that the author wants to draw attention to only the reader.
DeleteAllusions:
ReplyDelete“All flesh is grass” (45)
Alludes to "All flesh is grass" (Isaiah 40:6) a quotation from the Bible meaning that all humans are mortal. I think this connect to The Handmaid’s Tale because in the book Offred is saying how Nick disobeyed the rules and how it’s because he’s only human, which might show how in Offred’s point of view humans can’t help but do things they desire to do despite the risks.
“Mayday” (44)
During World War II, the opening rhythmic pattern from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony was interpreted as the Morse code for "v" (dot dot dot dash), and used to symbolize "victory". This allusion connects with The Handmaid’s Tale because afterwards Luke says that the word is French from the word m’aidez, and since “mayday” is a code for “victory” then perhaps having a handmaid is considered a “victory” or an achievement of some sort (not so sure).
"Under His Eye" (45)
This is an allusion from the book 1984 by George Orwell, which is also a dystopian novel when it says "Big Brother is watching You". It also connects to the Handmaid's Tale because the phrase is used by the Handmaids to remind them that God is always watching what they say and do.
Satire:
An element of satire the author uses is irony, for example when Offred talks about how Serena Joy or the Commanders wife use to give speeches on how woman should just stay home (45). It shows a satire for a woman named Phyllis Schlafly who is against feminist, while she spent most of her years into fighting against the Equal Rights Amendment. This is ironic because for most of her life she spends it fighting to have woman stay at home and have children, while she, herself is going out there and acting as if she’s a feminist since she’s obviously not staying home and taking care of her children.
In other words, Serena Joy was being a hypocrite.
DeleteAngela Mendez
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Atwood’s italicized words (To add on what Gloria said)
1. Lie and lay (37)
I think Atwood italicized these two words because she wanted to convey that women did not accept this harsh society willingly. I mean, the narrator states that “laid is passive” (37). Women could’ve wanted to fight and not accept their surroundings, but the women didn’t have the power to do so. Instead of willingly accepting their surroundings, the women didn’t do anything or feel anything. It seems to me they didn’t really care at that moment where they “lie”
2. See (39)
Offred’s mother doesn’t want the narrator to see such magazine because it is a sin in Christianity. However, the mother wants Offred to experience the burning of the sinful magazine. I think Atwood italicized the word see to emphasize the ridiculousness in this action. To Offred’s mother it is bad if her daughter just sees it; like if there is no action worse than seeing this magazine.
3. You (40)
I think Atwood italicized this word because she wants to send this message not only to one person but to multiple people. She wants people to be aware of dystopian theocracies and actually do something against the unfairness. In simpler words, Atwood italicizes these words to grab the readers’ attention.
4. Mayday and m’aidez (44)
I think Atwood italicized these two words to show the citizens are in need of help. Both words are related to the words help. I mean, when translated into English, m’aidez means “help me” and mayday is something pilots say when they are about to crash because they need help. They also do that to alert anyone near them. The citizens need help to gain freedom of this harsh society.
5. Serena Joy (45)
I think Atwood italicized this name to emphasize that “Pam” named herself a stupid name. She is supposed to be happy and joyful but she truly isn’t. First of all Pam doesn’t sing anymore which is her talent. Secondly she was being constantly being attacked by people. Lastly, she can’t bore any children. Hence, Serena Joy was not happy which was a “stupid” and ridiculous name to name herself.
I agree with Angela with the analysis of the name "Serena Joy". I believe Atwood italicized this word because she wanted to ridicule the name and say that the name is stupid.
DeleteAt the same time, she used it to satire Serena Joy's personality and her name.
Ying Ying Zhen
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Allusion:
“Forgive them, for they know not what they do” (46)
This alludes to the Bible, Luke 23:34, 1535. These are the words of Christ when he is dying on the cross. He is asking his father to forgive the people that put him to death because they are unaware of whom he is. This connects to The Handmaid’s Tale because Aunt Lydia is asking Offred to forgive the commander’s wife for doing things that she is unaware of. The commander’s wife doesn’t like Offred and envy her. Aunt Lydia claims that it is natural for the commander’s wife to resent Offred because she is sharing her husband.
Ying Ying Zhen
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Italicized word:
M’aidez: This helps to give a deeper meaning to “help me” by putting it on a different line and italicizing it. It is more than just a translation from French. It gives a meaning of sad and helpless.
Satire:
“Two or three months, too young to tell whether or not it was an Unbaby” (44)
This is ironic because it is not expected to happen. The women were given a funeral to a dead embryo from an early miscarriage. They were unsure if it was an unbaby or not. They value babies in Gilead that the babies were putted into jars while older one were putted into boxes.
I don't think that's irony, I feel it's more like warped logic. Where babies in general that died were placed in jars and boxes, instead of mourning the baby as a whole.
DeleteAllusions-
ReplyDelete1) Mayday (44)- Atwood alludes to mayday because she is expressing the fact that they need some help. Mayday means to help me, pilots used this phrase when they need help so they would shout out mayday. The narrator remembers Luke telling the meaning in another word m'aidez, " help me".
2)Unbaby (44)- Atwood alludes to Unbaby because she is talking about babies. Unbaby means a baby that was born to have a physical illness, so the narrator was talking about the women who had children with some sort of complication. So she alludes to this means she is expressing the women.
3) Forgive them, for they don't know what they do (46)- Atwood also alludes to this phrase because she is explaining something aunt Lydia said to her, she said that you should forgive the commander's wife because she doesn't realize what she is capable of doing. This phrase was also brought up in the bible , these were the words of Jesus when he was about to be cursified. He asked for forgiveness and it refers to the handmaid's tale because aunt Lydia is telling offed to forgive.
Italized Words-
ReplyDelete1) Lie and lay(37)- Atwood italizes lie in the book because offed is explaining differences between lie and lay. She wants the reader to know these two words, she wants the author to see it more.
2)Date Rape(38)- Atwood also italizes date rape because she wants the reader to know this word is important. She says many times and italizes them.
3) Dear You(40)- She is expressing something, again she wants the reader to understand that these words are important and should view the Italized words more broadly.
Satire-
ReplyDelete1)" I'd like to get laid"(37)- The elements of satire is irony and exaggeration. Its irony because its pretty ironic that people are allowed to say this to one another and exaggeration because its already ironic that they are saying this and she might have said it with more force then other words.
2) " Date Rape, I said.You're so trendy.It sounds like some kind of dessert"(38)
The elements of satire is irony. Its ironic because these people are not allowed to say this or do these sorts of things.
3)" The women handed me one of the magazine, it had a pretty women on it with no clothes"(38)
The element of satire is warped logic and irony. Its warped logic because this stuff doesn't go on their and its ironic because its surprising they have this sort of access
to these things.
3)" When we would go out our sundress and sandals and so out for a nice cream cone"(43)
This is irony because these women are suppose to be covered. In the begging of the book it states that they are suppose to wear a red dress and they are talking about sundresses and sandals.
Repeated Words-
Under his eye (45)- Atwood repeats these words because she is telling something. She wants the reader to understand the fact that this is important and to glaze at the repeated words.
I disagree with you, i don't think that "Date rapé" and "It's almost like June,when we would get our sundresses and our sandals and go for an ice cream cone" are examples of irony. They both aren't examples of irony because these statements are from the past, they weren't currently said or done in the present setting, they are from the past setting. "Date rapé" was said by Offred in the past when she was in college, in which back then people had a freedom of speech and were not restricted by their government of what they could or could not say. The transition of settings is indicated by Atwood when she leaves a space between paragraphs in chapter 7. For the first paragraph of chapter 7 it is the present setting since Offred is thinking of where to go for the night which leads her to remember of the places she has been before, leading her to flash back about the time she was in college with her friend, Moira, to the time she went to the park with her mother where they ended up burning books, to the time she was kidnapped to get her to where she is now. When Offred is describing the good weather and how it compares to the weather in June she is not actually dressed in a sundress and sandals and about to go for an ice cream cone, she is remembering how in the past that's how she dressed in this type of weather and what she used to do. She wouldn't be able to wear sandals or a sundress in the present time because of the strict dress code imposed by the theocratic government that the handmaids are forced to follow, being entirely covered in all all red with the exception of white wings to cover their faces
DeleteAllusion (to the Bible): "Forgive them, for they know not what they do" (46). In the book of Luke, Jesus asks the father to forgive the people who rejected and crucified him. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34). As He said this, soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. On a larger scale, this was a plea for all humanity. This relates to The Handmaid's Tale because Aunt Lydia told Offred that she should try to understand the wives. Since it is natural for them to resent women like Offred, she should pity them. Aunt Lydia also told Offred to put herself in their shoes, and to try to imagine how they must be feeling.
ReplyDeleteIrony:
ReplyDeleteI saw quite a bit of irony in Serena Joy's character. At first it says that "Her speeches were about the sanctity of the home, about how women should stay home" (Atwood 45). That was the past. Now, in the present, she gets to practice what she preached. About half a page later, it says, "She stays in her home, but it doesn't seem to agree with her?" (Atwood 46). Well, what's up with that? She goes around telling every woman to stay at home, but once she has to do it herself it's not so fun.
ALSO
On page 43 Offred mentions a priest being one of the bodies on the wall, along with the Guardians who were a little more than friends. The irony I saw in this was that in this heavily theocratic society, there is no hesitation in killing priests. That seems kind of odd. You would expect a priest to be kind of above the law in a religion-based society. Although, the reason for the priest being killed is not mentioned, so it's possible his crime was too severe to be ignored.
Kevin Alonso
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Some Italicized words:
See (39)- Atwood may have italicized this word because she wanted to display how strong sight can be. In this case Offred’s mother is burning magazines of women with no clothes on. She wouldn’t want her daughter to be influenced by these magazines that could lead her to show up in these magazines as well. So in order to prevent these images from being seen, she doesn’t want her daughter to view them, since by “seeing” them she could take the perspective her mother doesn’t want her to take.
You (40)- I think Atwood italicizes this word to identify the importance of every single person in the world. Although some people may be identified as more important/higher than others, each individual person still has value.
Mine (49)- I think Atwood italicized this word, because it shows how Offred’s perspective has changed. In the beginning of the book, Offred refused to say “my” (8) but now later on in the book when the Commander is outside of the room she goes in, she is wondering why he is there, what’s his business of being there and she wonders if he has gone in “her” room.
I agree with your explanation for "mine" but I also think it's italicized to give the reader a hint that it may have some significance later on in the book.
DeleteExamples of Irony:
ReplyDelete“I can see now, it’s the Commander, he isn’t supposed to be here” (49)
“Nick looks up and begins to whistle. Then he says, “Nice walk?” (45)
I find it ironic that these people living under a theocratic government are breaking the rules, violating the customs that were established by the government since they know the consequences they could face if they are reported. For example, the Guardians are expected to show respect to the handmaid’s for the nature of their service but Nick isn’t showing any respect to Offred. Instead Nick is showing the opposite, disrespect by whistling at her whenever she walks in his sight and talking to her, despite the fact that he is unable to do so since he has not been issued a woman, which is putting him at risk every time he does so.
An allusion in the reading was “Under his Eye” (45). This allusion refers to the Bible. The Eye represents God and all knowing. Under his Eye means that God is watching and caring over the people. It connects to the Handmaid’s tale because in the book, the Eyes are watchers. They’re like the spies of the society, keeping an “eye” and watching everyone, making sure the citizens are safe.
ReplyDeleteItalicized words:
Lie and lay (37)
She italicized these words because it was more like a joke about the use of two words. How usually people in general don’t really know the difference between the words.
Date Rape (38)
She italicized this word because it was a pun on another word. Where rape was a shredding and the word date was a type of fruit.
See (39)
See refers to the dirty magazine that Offred was holding, seeing meant looking at the magazine.
Where is She? What have you done with her (39)
She italicized this word because it’s a mystery about the girl and the people who took her
Dear You (40) You (40)
It was a stray from the story, where the narrator was speaking to it’s audience.
Mayday (41)
Was a word that derived from the French word M’aidez
M’aidez (44)
A French word that means help me
Serena Joy(45)
Used the name, not by reference to the women, but as a joke to a product that could hold the same name.
Time or Newsweek (45)
Refers to the news papers and journals back in the day where society was normal.
Mine (49)
Mine refers to the beginning of the book when the main character spoke about not wanting owner ship in this society
Repeated words
Repeated word is you (40). I felt that the word “you” was repeated because the author wanted thr audience to see this was a direct statement. That throughout the book, it was about Offred, but the you implied Atwood is noticing the reader, and is asking them to think.
Element of Satire
An element of satire was ridiculous names. Offred was making fun of Serena Joy’s name (45) Offred thought it was a stupid name because she thought that it could be something you’d put in your hair. It’s a ridiculous name because in this society, there is no “joy”, which would also be ironical. The name of Serena Joy in a theocracy government where there is no joy is ridiculous.
Allusion:
ReplyDeleteMayday (44) :An international radio distress signal used by ships and aircraft
This word comes from the a French man called M'aidez and Mayday means to help me. It is used by the soildiers who needs help because their vehicle are disfunction.
Mayday is also an italicized word and the author italicized the word because she ise showing how dangerous the situation would be when the airplane was about to crush and people were calling for Mayday.
Irony: "She was only as tall as the woman's elbow" (39)
This is irnoic if someone's height is only the length of a woman's elbow, that means she is short but then she said ONLY AS TALL which is ironic since she was consider "tall".
I think the author is santirizing the women are in different social classes and some are in higher status such as commander's wife and some are lower like the Offred and the Econowives.
I also believe that the author italicized mayday to emphasize that they need help.
DeleteExample of Irony:
ReplyDelete"There are three new bodies on the Wall." (43)
This is ironic because a wall is something that helps to protect you and keep you safe. Also, in the bible walls were used in a figurative and metaphorical way for safety and security. Yet again in the book there are three bodies hanging off these walls. This means that there really isn’t any “safety” within these walls. I think that the author satirizes the security of the main character to show how helpless and vulnerable they really are.
Period 8
ReplyDeleteThe imagery of the fire was repeated several times in one part of the past. Offred was given a magazine to be thrown in a pit of flames. The magazine she received “had a pretty woman on it, with no clothes on, hanging from the ceiling by a chain wound around her hands.” (38) Offred was told by her mother to throw it into the fire, when it did, “big flakes of paper came loose, sailed into the air, still on fire, parts of woman bodies, turning to black ash, in the air” (39). This could represent the women in this society, and how there are becoming less and less of what they used to be. The woman in the magazine has perished into ashes representing the society killing them slowly without a fight. The government made sure that these magazines are destroyed since they are a disapproval for this society system.
Before Offred tosses the magazine into the fire, her mother says “Don’t let her see it” (39) to her. She doesn’t want her daughter to ‘see’ the actual meaning of the reason why the woman on the cover is being chained and hanged from the ceiling. She doesn’t want her daughter to see the contents of the magazine and to be influenced by it.
Period 8
ReplyDeleteOne of the obvious satires is irony shown with the Econowives towards the handmaids. While the handmaids show sympathy for the Econowive’s lost by “putting hands over [their] hearts to show these women that [they] feel with them in their loss.” (44) The Eoconwives in return “scowl’ (44) and “spit” (44) at them. By doing something kind and meant no harm, the handmaids get treated badly in return.
i agree with you. I also think that the Econowive's are rude to the Handmaid's because I think that they might envy the Handmaids. The Econowives don't belong to a wealthier family like the Handmaids. So I think that the Econowives envy the Handmaids because they belong to a wealthier family than they do.
DeletePeriod 8
ReplyDeleteAs I have mentioned before about the woman on the magazine, but there is also an allusion used.
(This allusion is not from the bible)
Offred thought the woman was “swinging, like Tarzan from a vine on the TV.” (38) The Disney movie of Tarzan was created in 1999, though there were books written about Tarzan before the move was created. This allusion was used to create irony, Tarzan is supposedly free when he swings on vines in the jungle, but unlike the movie, the woman on the magazine cover is not free since she is chained, also the magazine is being burned, which also adds on to the oppression from the government in this theocratic society.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteMy mistake, I meant Tarzan TV series instead, it was shown on TV since 1966 to 1969.
DeleteThe term "mine" (49) is italicized. I think Atwood chose to italicize this word, not only because it may be significant later on but to show that something that never meant to be Offred's now belonged to her. The term 'mine' shows possession. What is she claiming, is the question.
ReplyDeleteIn the context before she uses the word, there is a scene with the Commander. Atwood says "it's the Commander, he isn't supposed to be here" (49). Maybe Offred is claiming the Commander to be hers, or something relative.
Two sentences: "Where is she? What have you done with her?" (39) are also italicized. I think Atwood italicized these sentences to put an emphasis on the situation. The question, "where" shows that the character is lost. The next question, "what have you done with her" shows that the character has been changed in someway. Who is the female the author is talking about? Was this Offred imagining what happened to the lady on the front of the magazine?
Daisy Galicia
ReplyDeleteHonors Humanities P.4
May 13, 2012
Italicized Words:
-"You" (40) I thinks that Atwood wrote the word "you" this way to show that you can be any person in the world. I also think that Atwood wrote it this way to try and make a connection with the reader and also to try and get the reader to understand what type of society the Handmaids are living in.
-"Mine" (49) I think that Atwood wrote the word "mine" this way to show that oohing was actually hers. i think that nothing is really hers anymore because she now is a Handmaid and belongs to the Commander. She has no rights anymore and now she can only be used to create babies. The word "mine" was italicized to sow how a Handmaid really doesn't have much that is theirs.
I agree with Daisy, but to add on to "mine" I also think it was italicized to make the word stronger. To help the reader notice that she calls the room hers even though it is the commanders.
DeleteDaisy Galicia
ReplyDeleteHonors Humanities P.4
May 13, 2012
Allusion: An allusion that i found is one from in the Bible. In the book it states, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do" (46). This sentence is an allusion because this is what Jesus said while he was being crucified. while Jesus was already on the cross and was being crucified he told his Father to forgive them because they didn't know what they were doing. I think that Atwood put this allusion in because in the book the Handmaids have no freedom and are only used as "sex tools." Aunt lydia told Offred to have pity on them and to forgive them. I think that Aunt Lydia told her this so that Offred would't have hatred towards them, but to try and understand them. The Commanders Wife isn't able to have children, so Offred should try to understand the pain that they feel in not being able to have children.
Kimberly Garcia
ReplyDeletePd 4
Italicized words:
lie lay (37)
Atwood is trying to show a comparison between the two words. She says,"Lay is always passive...All this is pure speculation" (37). She is also trying to show that there's a difference between these words and how Offred distinguishes them.
Date rape (38)
Date rape means rape committed by the victim's escort. This is said by Offred when Moira tells her that she wrote a report on that. Offred said,"It sounds like some kind of dessert" (38).
see 39
Where is she? What have you done to her? (39)
This is said by Offred when she asks the women about her mother when they were throwing the magazines. I believe this shows the type of way the women lived before everything changed. Men AND women were burning books and magazines. One of them had a picture of a naked on the cover with a chain around her hands. Offred misinterpreted the image since she thought the woman was swinging like Tarazan.
Dear you (40)
Atwood uses this to say that the word you can mean anyone. It has more than one meaning. It shows that Offred doesn't really talk to one person. In other words, she has no specific audience when she talks to about her story/letter.
Imagery:
ReplyDeleteAn imagery within the book is when Offred thought back into her pass where her mother was still alive. She remember the day where her mother brought her to a place where there is a group of people throwing books into a fire. Offred was given a magazine where there is a "pretty woman on it, with no clothes on, hanging from the ceiling by a chain wound around her hands." (38) At first she misinterpret it and thought is was "Tarzan from a vine on the TV." (38)Before anything else happen Offreds mother told her to throw the magazine into the fire because she didn't want the girl to be badly influence by what is on the magazine. Furthermore, she didn't want her to know that the society that they live within is a place where women are mistreated. Therefore, the government want these magazines to be burned to ashes, so people like Offred would not notice anything.
Repeated Words/Allusions:
Mayday- this word is used a long time ago as a distress signal. People would say "Mayday" when in warfare when there are enemy attacks.
You- This is to direct the readers attention.
Econowife-Men without power or money, but who had legal wives before the Gilead take-over, were allowed to keep their wives, but were not assigned Marthas or Handmaids.
Under His Eye- people are watched by the secret polices.
I don't understand really understand what your saying for the Econwives, aren't they just woman who take on the positions of a Handmaid, Martha, and a Wife?
DeleteKevin Doodnauth
ReplyDeleteHonors Humanities 4th
Italizied Words:
- "Lie and Lay"(37).
Atwood is comparing these two words that sound similar to each other but has different meanings, one is too describe the act of "speculation".
-"Date Rape"(38).
Atwood uses this which defines as sexual intercourse forced upon a woman by a man, referred to Moria's paper.
-"...Where is she? What have you done with her?"(39).
Atwood uses this to describe the tone and mood of the character which portray's her to be very scared but yet in the sense of confusion of fear.
-"Dear you,... you...you, you"(40).
Atwood uses these certain words to represent the meaning of you, it can me more than one or anything at all which could also allude to anything.
-"Mayday"(44).
Atwood uses this word to allude to the situations which war material such as planes, and ships were destroyed and also alluding to Beethoven.
-"M'aidez"(44).
Atwood helps the readers to understand what it means, which comes from the french language which means help me.
-"Serena Joy"(45).
Atwood uses this to reference to the Commanders Wife, which is self prestige.
-"Time or Newsweek"(45).
Atwood uses this to allude the big newspaper companies which passes the amount of information worldwide daily.
-"Mine"(49).
Atwood uses this word to make the character feel very special to say that she could have her own sanctuary ans space to call her own.
Repeated Words and Image's:
ReplyDelete"You"(40).
Atwood repeats this certain word to show that anything can represent "you" but yet it can mean "thousands" or just an individual.
Allusion:
ReplyDeleteWhen Offred alludes to "It didn't frighten me. I thought she was swinging, like Tarzan from a vine, on the TV"(38).
This is alluded to the animated movie from Disney Channel which seems to portray how this certain lady acted but yet, looked in a particular way.
Also when Atwood alludes to "Date Rape", shes explaining the failure of some ships that were harmed within a war which seemed to had tried to help with aerial attacks and fighting alliances.
So you saying that its alluded to the Movie from Disney Channel but how is it connected to the book though?
DeleteI dont't think it's connected to the disney movie Tarzan because the book was written in 1986, and the movie was released in 1999.
DeletePeriod 8
ReplyDeleteAllusion:
-Under His Eye(45): This phrase is from Hebrews4:13 of the Bible. It refers to God being able to see everything of the people on earth and nothing can be hidden from His sight. This connects to the Handmaid's Tale since the people of the Republic of Gilead is also being watched for doing the right thing and are limited to what they can do.
Italicized words:
-lie/lay(37): I think these two words are italicized to show the difference in their meanings to Offred.
-see(39): By italicizing this word in its context, it shows a change in the tone of Offred's mother's voice.
-m'aidez(44): This might have been italicized because it is a French word and also because Atwood wanted to emphasize the word since the definition of it appears in the next line. It means “help me.”
-mine(49): Atwood might of italicized “mine” to catch the reader's attention since in the beginning of the book, Offred said that she would never call the room hers. However, in this chapter, she claimed it to be hers.
Repeated words/images:
-you: I think the word “you” is repeated to show that “you” can refer to anyone. It is a very broad term.
Satire:
- “The hall is dusky, this is a man, his back to me, he's looking into the room, dark against its light. I can see now, it's the Commander...Was he invading? Was he in my room?” (49)
This is irony because it is strange for the Commander to be standing outside Offred's room because it was something out of the ordinary in this type of society. The Commander is obviously of a much higher social status than Offred who was a handmaid so it is quite ironic that he would be “invading” her room.
This text is very ironic which I mentioned earlier due to the fact, it usually alludes to the holy bible, but instead a movie.It seems as if Disney Channel and cartoon didn't seem to exist at this time but yet it seems as if Tarzan would come back to the woman with a magazine in her hand, its a little awkward, maybe she would base it on looks. This is just in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteYes Kevin i agree this is why this book is a satire and most of the allusion are to the bible because this was and it is still a well-known text globally.
DeleteRepeated/Italicized
ReplyDelete“Mayday” (44)
I think it is repeated many times in the book because it helps the reader notice it is an important event. I think it was repeated because Atwood wanted the reader to notice that “mayday” was an important event. Also to show that before a theocratic society she used to get an education, but since the society became theocratic women lost their education.
“You” (40)
I think you was italicized and repeated to show us, the readers, that throughout the book she will be talking to us. Also to show that even though Offred is telling us about her life and to show that her story is just one way of telling it, like the word you, which has multiply meanings and uses.
Allusion
An allusion that was made was “milk and honey” (47), it came from the bible in exodus 3:8.i think the milk and honey means fertility because when I researched it online I found out that in most ancient writings they were a symbol for fertility. By naming the food store “milk and honey”, the handmaids are able to go there because they are able to have babies, while the Marthas are not allowed to go there because they aren’t able to have babies.
Ironic
Serena Joy
She used to give speeches about “the sanctity of the home” and “how women should stay home” (45) but she “didn’t do this herself” (45). This is ironic because she saying one thing but doing another.
“She stays in her home, but it doesn’t seem to agree with her. How furious she must be, now that she’s been taken at her own word” (46). This is ironic because before she said she was willing to sacrifice going out for the good of all. Serena Joy made it sound like she was trying to help women by telling them to stay inside, but when she had to stay inside she did not like it. It is ironic because she was saying one thing but when it happened to her, she didn’t like it anymore.
Wai Wing Lau
DeletePeriod 8: Honors Humanities
I agree with you on the part of mayday. Its repetition must mean something, and I am going to make a prediction on its purpose. Based on what other people have said, mayday was a term used in warfare or battles. In the theocratic society, there is warfare going on and battles that the Angels have to attend to (soldiers allowed firearms and on the front lines) so can we assume that mayday is the name of a certain 'resistance' against the theocratic society?
I agree with you on the part of Serena Joy because as we keep learning more about herself we are able to see that there are times where she contradicts herself with words or actions.
DeleteYuris Ng Pang
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Allusions:
All Flesh is grass (45): The phrase is interpreted to mean that human life is transitory.
Atwood used this allusion to show that human life is short like grass. She corrected Aunt Lydia because she believes that human are not only weak but are short live.
Italicized words:
- “see” (39): Atwood italicized that word because she wanted to show that her mother didn’t want her to see the pornographic book.
“Where is she? What have you done with her?”(39): Atwood Italicized this phrase to show what she was thinking and that she was nervous and anxious. I believe she was nervous in that part, because her daughter was caught and she didn’t know what the people would do to her.
- “you” (40): Atwood italicized this word because she wanted to demonstrate that the word “you” can mean whoever she wanted, which would not get her in trouble.
- “Mayday.” (44): Atwood italicized this word because she wants to show that the mayday that Ofglen was saying was different from the Mayday she learned in high school. She wanted to show her past and what reminded her.
- “Time…Newsweek.” (45): Atwood italicized these two words to show understatement. She is making Serena Joy sound unimportant. She wants to show that it is no big deal that Serena Joy was on TV or famous.
- “Serena Joy” (45): Atwood Italicized this word to show that she is ridiculing the Commander’s wife name. She believes that her name is stupid. Therefore, she wants to emphasize that.
- “mine” (49): Atwood italicized this word because she wants to show that she had accepted her fate. At first, she did not want to admit that the room in the Commander’s house is her room. However, now, she admits it. She italicized it to also show that she is shock that she is saying mine.
Images:
“I threw the magazine into the flames. It riffle open in the wind of its burning; big flakes of paper came loose, sailed into the air, still on fire, parts of women’s bodies, turning to black ash, in the air, before my eyes.” (39)
Atwood used this image because she wants to show how that pornographic book is so memorable to her. She wants to illustrate how people got rid of this kind of book. Also, she wanted to show how at that period, women weren’t control and how they had the freedom to dress however they want.
The color red and tulips (45)
ReplyDeleteIt’s said that tulips came from the blood of a Persian youth named Farhad. He fell in love with a young woman named Shirin. One day he found out that she had been killed the sadness became so unbearable that he rode his horse over a cliff. From each drop of blood a tulip appeared as symbols of his perfect love for her.
“The tulips along the border are redder than ever, opening, no longer wine cups but chalices; thrusting up, to what end? They are, after all, empty. When they turn old they turn themselves inside out, then explode slowly, the petals thrown out like shards.” (45)
In the book Atwood describes the tulips as “thrusting up, to what end?” because she believes that there is no point in having this “perfect love” if it’s going nowhere. Like the tulips, love can grow and grow but when is there a limit to it? She uses the tulips to show that Offred believes love has no point, at least not in the world Atwood has created. She describes the tulips as “empty” because although you see them full from the outside they in truth aren’t. Since the tulips represent love Atwood is trying to say that love isn’t as good as it looks from the outside. It looks a lot more desirable from the outside but once you have it you see it for what it is; empty. As “love” or the tulips are growing they also turn old and “explode slowly”. This signifies that love is beautiful as it grows but after that it gets tired and it turns into empty “chalices”. Since chalices are used to drink an empty chalice would be of no use to a thirsty person. Over all Atwood uses tulips to signify that over time the pretense of “perfect love” is as dead as the tulips.
Mariela Aviles
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Italicized Words:
1. Lie and lay (37)
I think that Atwood italicized these two words in order to show a difference between the two words. Meaning he descrices the word "lay" as "always passive [and] pure speculation"(37). Although both words might be slighty different, they pretty much mean the same thing. I think shes trying to show the reader how Ofred distinguishes both words based on her opinion and experiences.
2. Date Rape(38)
I think that Atwood italicized these words becase rape in french means greated or shreded and the wordd date means fruit. So I think she might have italicized these words in order to show that woman back then couldnt talk or say certain things that were unappropriate. Even right now, women in the present day arent supposed to say certain things or read certain things because it might lead to other things. Women back then were ristricted on doing certain things.
Wilson Hinh
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Allusions:
* Under his eye: Under his eye derived from the hebrew bible on the line 4:13. In the book, it appeared as a "good bye", "Under his eye" she says, the right farewell. Under his eye referred back to, Under gods eye. So they were departing under gods eye knowing that what they were doing was under the law.
Repeated words/Italicized words:
* "You" (40): She emphasizes you alot at the end of the chapter. Before that, she claims how she wasn't able to write down her stories which forces her to tell them. She directs the audience of her stories to "you". You possibly means us, all of us. It seems as if she is directing her stories to not only the reader, but all of us. Though she cannot write her stories down and give it to us, she saids "you" as if she wants to express it to us.
* “Mayday” (44): Mayday, meant a distress signal at which hit planes or ships used to symbol an attack. She refers to this because she was able to go back to her highschool days where she learned about this and she was still with Luke.
Italicized words
ReplyDeleteLie and lay I think the author italicizes these to show the difference between the two words. Like she says in the book “men would like to get laid” (37). Also “I lie, there inside my room” (37).
“Mayday” (45) is italicized again for emphasis. The author is bringing in a new word for us and we may not understand it so she wants to explain in to us so she starts off by bringing the word out to the reader.
“Don’t let her see it” (39). This is italicized because the author wants to show that there is a certain someone that isn’t allowed to od something. The wants to emphasize the action that isn’t allowed.
“Where is she? What have you done with her?” (39). The author italicized this to also make an emphasis of the situation. They were talking about confusion so in the quote the person is confused and the author italicized it to emphasize the confusion.
Satire
There is also warped logic when the author says, “I just did one on date rape” (38)
This is ridiculing sexuality because date rape involves sexual intercourse with a friend or possibly a stranger. So this is warped logic because the meaning of it in the book sounds subtler than it actually is.
Another time when the author uses warped logic is when she says, “It had a pretty woman on it, with no clothes on…I though she was swinging, like Tarzan from a vine” (38). So obviously this child was looking at an adult magazine however the author ridicules sexuality because she makes the child seem clueless about what she is actually looking at and compares it to a children’s’ character.
The author uses warped logic when she says, “The good weather holds…There are three new bodies on the wall.” (43) This is warped logic because at first the author says that it is a beautiful day and everyone is dressing so loose and peacefully and yet there are new bodies that were hanged on the wall. That is not a beautiful sight so that makes this warped logic.
Allusions
Gender Treachery (43): This is when a man is accused of being homosexual and it makes him at risk for his masculinity. A long time ago this was a horrible thing and people were punished for it.
Mayday (45) was a word used by many pilots in World War 2. It was a word that pilots would use in an emergency to signal that there plane has malfunctioned and is falling.
Under his eye (45) This phrase was also used in a book by George Orwell when it said that big brother is watching you. In the Handmaid’s Tale it is used to say that God is watching you.
Edson Acosta
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
In the novel The Handmaid’s Tale the author uses the satirical elements of understatement and warped logic. In chapter 8 of this novel, the author started to describe the Econowives and described one as carrying a black jar, “two or three months, too young to tell whether or not it was an Unbaby. The older ones and those that die at birth have boxes” (page 44). This quote is an example of understatement since the author is basically saying that some women in this society has to carry their miscarried or died at birth babies. The main character Offred viewed this as something very common, instead of the actual reality that these women were carrying dead fetuses in a jar. In addition, the author uses warped logic when the character saw the three dead people on the wall, “One is a priest, still wearing the black cassock. That’s been put on him, for the trial, even though they gave up wearing those years ago, when the sect wars first began; cassock made them too conspicuous” (page 43). This is an example of warped logic since the priest was killed and hanged on display for supposedly being part of an opposing sect group. However, the evidence to prove that he was from an opposing sect was from the cassock that the government gave him to wear for the trail. Throughout the novel, the author uses the element of satire such as understatement and warped logic.
Wai Wing Lau
ReplyDeletePeriod 8: Honors Humanities
Italicized words and why I think Atwood italicized them:
“…Lie and lay…” (Atwood 37)
Atwood italicizes both words to show the connotation of each word. As the reader reads on, they learn that lay was a more ‘passive’ and casual way for women to have sex with men. This would be how most readers will recognize as ‘getting laid’ a common reference in modern times as having sex. However, ever since the theocratic government’s (Republic of Gilead) establishment on what was Central America, women are no longer allowed to freely have sex as they would in the past. In this near future, sex is like business whereas women only have sex to produce children, the future generation to ensure the human race still exists. Therefore, handmaids are told to ‘lie’ down, a command-like word that shows that the sexual intercourse that handmaids go through is one that they must obey, whether they like it or not.
“…Where is she? What have you done with her” (Atwood 39)?
Offred, the narrator, is questioning where her daughter is and I believe that Atwood italicizes the words to show Offred’s rebellious protests. Throughout the book so far, when Offred speaks, her speech is not italicized, but her thoughts are. Therefore I believe that in this case, Offred has taken her first verbal stand in the book, going against the society that was being created at the time (Republic of Gilead).
“Dear you...” (Atwood 40)
Offred attempts to tell her story to any possible readers out there in the book, and I believe that the words are italicized because Offred is about to make an important statement. Her statement to why she says ‘you’ is because she does not want to associate herself with anyone in particular; les the oppressive government that she lives in finds out and tracks the person reading her story down.
Continued...
DeleteMine (Atwood 49)
Offred has gotten used to the room that she lives in and the theocratic society that she now refers the room of the Commander’s house her room. Offred has gotten so used to the society, she is mortified that she is gradually changing, turning away her own identity to adopt a handmaid’s identity, what society wants her to do.
Serena Joy…Time…Newsweek (Atwood 45)
Serena Joy was once successful in her youth, and Atwood even shows that through the most prestigiously known magazines of contemporary times, such as Time and Newsweek. This shows that Serena had a wonderful past and was a lionized figure, however over the years, she has morphed into someone different; someone who most people would not have recognized as the saintly Serena Joy.
Mayday…mayday, mayday (Atwood 44)
Mayday is a reference to warfare and battles. Believe it or not, there is war still raging around in the story, and so the word mayday occurs a lot. The repetition of this word leads me to think that Atwood is trying to make me see something. Something to do with the fighting that is raging over the battlefields of what was Central America.
Satire through an allusion to the bible:
ReplyDelete"All flesh is weak. All flesh is grass, I corrected her in my head. They can't help it, she said, God made them that way but He did not make you that way. He made you different. It's up to you to set the boundaries. Later you will be thanked" (45).
In the scene before this, which sparked Offred's memory of her conversation with Aunt Lydia, Nick asked Offred if her walk was nice. She simply nodded back. She knew that Nick wasn't supposed to talk to her. Aunt Lydia said that they would try to talk because "all flesh is weak." Aunt Lydia also said that they can't help it and that Offred was made differently. Therefore, implying she does not have that weakness. However, despite what Aunt Lydia tells, the bible states that "all flesh is grass." It then further explains how grass and flowers are like man's glory: they wither and die. Even though Aunt Lydia claims Offred is different, she really isn't. Offred wants to talk back to him too. She misses the old days when she was able to at least hold a conversation with a guy. Offred is of flesh as well, it's not just Nick. Aunt Lydia misused the bible and it's meaning of what flesh is, and Offred was unable to correct or disobey her, only in her head.
She used this allusion to explain how messed up the society is. Although its not that funny, it's still satire because its making fun of human folly by using warped logic. Just this example leads one to think the society is probably made up of a bunch of misused and wrong interpretations of the bible, which would explain the twisted setting and sick rules and precautions the society has enforced.
Period 8:
ReplyDeleteItalicized words:
"Dear You"(40)- I think Atwood chose to italicized these words because she wants the reader to understand the importance of telling a story. Since writing was forbidden(39), the only way to communicate these stories was by telling it to someone. She chooses the word "you" because you can also say it to yourself or you can refer to anyone else.
"Serena Joy"(45)- I think Atwood italicized this name to show a contradiction in these this place called, Gilead. This is not her actual name but it still has the word "joy" which is ridiculous because the least that this town has is joy. This italicized word also links back to a satirical element of those ridiculous names. Her speeches make her seem a the right role model but she doesn't do it herself(45).
The fact that she does the opposite of what she says in her speeches can be a satire to those who follow the ideas of Christianity. Christians are supposed to live by following God's commandments but at the same time there are others who don't do it themselves. Which relates to Pam or Serena Joy.
Jennifer Garcia
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
Allusions:
1) “Mayday” (44)
Mayday is a phrase that signifies help me. Mayday' is still a term used today but it is most commonly used at voice radio signal for ships and people in serious trouble at sea. This connect to the Handmaid’s tale because many people need help. They are trapped and controlled by the government, and that is why they need help.
2) “Whirlwind”(45).
Violent wind, often associated with the presence and activity of God.
3) “Forgive them, for they know not what they do” (46)
From the Bible, Miles Coverdale's Version, Luke 23:34, 1535, Jesus is put on the cross, and is asking forgiveness for those who put him to death. Jesus died for humanity, that is why he asked his father to forgive humans because they did not know who he was. This connects to the novel because the commander’s wife is doing things that upsets Offred, so Aunt Lydia is telling Offred to forgive her because it was not the commader’s wife intention.
4) “Under his Eye” (45).
The eye represents God because god is always watching over the people. This connects to the book because the Guardians is they Eye. The Guardians are always looking out for the people in the household making sure everything is under control.
I agree that the "Eye" represents God because he is always watching over his people. However, in the novel, I think that the purpose for saying "Under His Eyes" was to show the readers that their society was religion-based. I also think that the handmaids were saying this as a way of "good luck" or "may god watch you and care for you" while Offred goes into the Commander's Wife's house (since they usually hate them).
DeleteAlthough you make a really good point on how "Under His Eye" can actually mean "may God watch you and care for you" as a way of saying "good luck" since Offred hates going back to the Commanders house. But as you know after Ofglen says "Under His Eye" Offred tells the reader that it's the "right farewell"(45) so I don't actually think that their society would let Handmaid's say a farewell with that kind of meaning behind it.
DeleteI agree with Jennifer. The Eyes, which are the Guardians, are always watching the people in this society. But they are not looking out for them. If they do anything against what the government has told them to do they will probably arrest that person. Someone that looks out for will give you advice on what to do, but the Guardians are there to just obey what they are also told to do by the government.
DeleteSherenie Yeung Period 8
ReplyDelete"The difference between lie and lay" (37).
I think the words lie and lay are italicized because their meaning are extremely different. Offred lies in the room. Lie meaning shes resting on something. Lay, however, was used by men frequently back then to say that they would like to lay a woman. Their use of lay was in a perverted way.
"Date rape" (38)
Offred said that date rape sounded like some kind of dessert. It's probably italicized because Offred sounded like she wouldn't mind getting raped since she made it sound so casual.
"Dear You, I'll say" (40)
I think the you was italicized because she hopes that someone would read it some day. You can be anyone or multiple people. Writing to "you" is her way of rebelling against society.
One example of satire Atwood chooses to incorporate in "Night," is her usage of "lie" and "lay" (37).
ReplyDeleteOffred states, "The night is mine, my own time, to do with as I will, as long as I am quiet. As long as I don't move. As long as I lie still. The difference between lie and lay. Lay is always passive. Even men used to say, I'd like to get laid. Though sometimes they said, I'd like to lay her. All this is pure speculation (37)."
I find three problems with Offred's logic.
One, she claims the term "lie" is not passive. Then she uses her own portrayal of the word to attempt supporting this idea by saying, "The night is mine, my own time, to do with as I will." While this seems to be an assertive thought, she then continues to say, "As long as I lie still." This last statement is what categorizes this as both ironic and warped logic. To admit that she controls her own actions or is able to do as she pleases during the night, would also be admitting that it would not be altered by whether or not she lies still. She implies that her movement would detract her ownership of her own actions, but if she truly owned her own actions she would not be afraid to move, that in itself is a passive thought.
Secondly, when Offred says, "Lay is always passive. Even men used to say, I'd like to get laid," Atwood reveals a sense of irony in the woman's thought process. In their current society men are not viewed as passive creatures, therefore why would she assign their thoughts as such? This is irony is then later amplified when she goes on to say, "Though sometimes they'd say, I'd like to lay her." This last statement is the opposite of passiveness, in order, to do anything to someone, to make a conscious effort to "lay someone" one must require a physical lead or attempt to control. Ideally, this is not a passive word, at all.
My last example of the irony displayed here, is with the final statement in this overall quote. She admits she has no real proof or reason to think so, by saying, "All this is pure speculation." For her to claim she knows the difference between "lay" and "lie," assertiveness or passiveness based off the supposed words of her captors, to whom she clearly does not respect, is illogical, and, in reality, defies the first idea presented of her own assertiveness. To portray this thought as relatively true, because she has heard rumors of men saying this reveals Offred's own subjectivity and passivity.
All in all, her own thought process is supporting the idea of the Theocracy she is apart of, the idea that men are superior and the women living in her society are not.
An example of irony is when Nick asks Offred "nice walk?" (45). This is irony because the handmaids are only allowed to go out to do the groceries. In the past, Offred would have been able to go out on a walk and enjoy it, but now she can't control when she goes out. She should be enjoying the time she spends out on her walks, but she can't really enjoy them because she doesn't have control over them.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of irony is when Offred talks about the commander's wife. Her speeches were all about the "sanctity of the home, about how women should stay home" (45) yet, she "didn't do this herself, she made speeches instead" (45). Its ironic how Serena Joy says she believes that women should stay home but she doesn't do it herself. She goes out into the world and makes speeches about how women, like her, should stay home and not go out.
Mayday (44) I think this was italicized because the author is referring to something important. Mayday is usually a distress signal. In other words, it is used for help.
ReplyDeletem’aidez (44) This was probably italicized because of it’s importance. This also means Mayday which is basically asking for someone’s help.
Time (45) Newsweek (45) These two words were italicized because they are the names of Newspaper magazines from the past.
mine (49) This could have been italicized to emphasize the importance of this word. She probably wants to shout out and show us what’s hers.
Atwood satires many things in the novel, The Handmaid's Tale. An element of satire that Atwood use is irony. During a part of the book, Offred is challenghed like "the signals animals gives another: lowered blue eyelieds, ears laid back, raised hackles A flash of bared teeth...was he in my room? I called it MINE".(49) I find this part of the story to contain aspects of irony because in the beginning of the story, Offred said she would not call anything 'mine'. However simply because she was challenged, she changed her way of speech. Along with the word 'mine' being italicized and irony, I believe there is a chance that the author will use this chance to change the story around.
ReplyDeletekatheryn j.b
ReplyDeletep.4
Past: luke, her mother, her daughter, aunt Lydia, moira, another women,
Present: econowives, pam, rita, cora, commander, nick
Main event: she comes into contact with the commander-“it’s the commander” (49)
Main idea: she felt unwanted by her mother “Saturdays were supposed to be my day” (38)
Allusion: tarzan(38) Tarzan was born in the African jungle to Lord John and Lady Alice Greystoke. After the death of Lord and Lady Greystoke, Tarzan was taken and raised by the ape Kala. Tarzan grew knowing nothing of his "human" life, always thinking that he was an ape. With the help of the books and tools left in what was once the cabin where Tarzan's parents lived, he was able to teach himself to read and write, but not to speak.
Why is it in text? : this was the closet description of the image she saw on the magazine cover
What is she telling us? :the women on the screen was wild just like her child hood memory of tarzan
Italicized words:
mayday =an international radio distress signal used by ships and aircraft
m’aidez: means mayday in French
Time: newspaper, network times
Newsweek: news paper
Lie: want to have sex
Lay: want to make pregnant
Date rape: drugs that are sometimes used to assist a sexual assault. Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that a person does not agree to.
Mine: the commander
You: referring to us the readers
Offred wasn't calling the commander "mine". She was emphasizing that she just called the room as her's.
DeleteAllusion
ReplyDelete"Forgive them, for they know not what they do" (46)
According the Bible (Luke 23:34), these are one of Jesus' last words before he died on the cross. he was telling God to forgive those who were crucifying him because they're too stubborn to see that Jesus really is the son of God. Aunt Lydia is talking about the Wives of the Commander because some of them will envy the Handmaids. Any women would envy another women who is allowed to have sex with their man. But Aunt Lydia says to forgive the women becuse they have b reason to envy the Handmaids. Besides the Handmaids are there so the Commander and his Wife can have children anyway.
Amani Nijem
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
Allusions:
“Under His Eye” (45)
This is line is alluded to Hebrews 4:13 from the bible. In the bible it says “before His eyes.” This means that whatever they do on earth God is above them and sees everything they do. Good or bad. This connects to Handmaid’s Tale because the Eyes in are always watching the handmaids.
Italicized words:
“You” (40)
I think Atwood italicizes this word to show that there is more than one “you” in the world. Offred explains that “you can mean thousands” (40). Offred is considering the readers. She wants them to think of what is happening to her throughout the book.
Images:
“The women handed me one of the magazines. It had a pretty woman on it, with no clothes on” (38)
This is imagery because the narrator is describing what she had seen. This scene is placed in the past. I think it shows that before this theocratic government came into place women were able to wear whatever they pleased. And describing the way the magazine looks is showing that women in the past were able to dress without a care in the world.
Repeated/Italicized words:
ReplyDelete-"time" (37) -> This word is repeated to show that Offred has lived in two different times- showing there are two settings. Offred is also expressing that she misses the old time (or her past before the theocratic society) and despise this new time (the present theocratic society).
-"Serena Joy" (45) -> This name was italicized to emphasize her mocking tone towards the Commander's Wife's name, since she despises her.
->Serena Joy's name is also satirical through the use of ridiculous names. In the novel, Serena Joy is unhappy and seems kind of depressed, probably because she can't conceive children or because of her past. Her name however contradicts that, by having her last name "Joy" or happy.
-"Times or Newsweek" (45) -> These texts/ companies are common newspapers read today. Atwood alludes to these and italicizes them
to tell the readers that Serena Joy used to be really famous and would show up on these famous papers. It was also used to hint the time setting of the novel. Offred speaks of these papers as a vague memory showing that these articles are old. (Does that mean these papers have become extinct or something? Are they in the future?)
-"mine" (49) -> I think this word was italicized to show Offred was shocked calling the room as her's. This word was also repeated earlier in the novel, saying that she rather preferred not calling the room her's since it really wasn't. This is probably why Offred was shocked this time calling it "mine" and was italicized.
Satire:
-"a priest... gave up wearing those [cassocks] years ago, when the sect wars first began..." (43)
I think this is ironic. A priest should guide his people through the religion and should be a role model towards it. Additionally, a priest should be committed and loyal to the religion. However, this priest was a fool and just because of a war, he decided to hide his religion, while usually he should be proud, stay loyal, and encourage his religion.
Questions:
-What did they mean when Atwood said "God on a cloud of Pink Pearl face powder" (46)? --> Was that supposed to be an allusion (because I couldn't find anything)?
Allusion:
ReplyDeleteTarzan (38): Tarzan is a character whom was raised in the Jungle by apes. Tarzan was created in the Early 20th century in the stories of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan looks like a strong man with a rugged appearance. I think this allusion connects to HT because in the book Offred as a little girl looked at the magazine "With a pretty woman it, with no clothes on," however child Offred said that the magazine cover didnt frighten her instead it interested her, I believe the author used it as a connection to show that at the time, society for child Offred didnt make thinking differently and open mindedly a crime for the people.
A Repeated Phrase
"Praise Be(44)." I think The author puts the words Under his Eye in italics because the author wants the reader to be aware the the saying "Praise Be," is like a sefety phrase for Offred one in which wont give off too much of her opinions and will keep her from getting into trouble when she isnt quite sure of what is the proper thing for her to say at a certain moment.
Italized Word
"Mine (49)." I think the author put the word Mine in italics so the reader knows that know that Offred calling her room mine is a foreshadowing of an event in which Offred may stand up for herself or another person and show that she should have her basic human rights of having at least one personal belonging to call her own.
Concept Being Satired: Christianity
I think the author is satirizing Christianity because in Chapter 8 one of the people on the wall for people who get trailed for a crime is a priest. It is ironic in my opinion for a priest whom is a Christian minister to get arrest in a theocracy ran by the Christian religion just because he wore a "black cassock which made him look too conspicuous (43)" since many priests gave up wearing those when the sect wars began years ago.
Italicized Words
ReplyDeleteWhere is she? What have you done with her? (39)
This phrase was italicized to show the distress of the character as she tries to find her mother, only to find a picture of her mother with another women and stating that she was murdered. This was an important phrase that has a strong mood to it and Atwood italicize it to highlight this for the reader
You (40)
You is just a simple word targeting a single person, but Atwood italicized this word to state its meaning, "You" can mean thousands of other people, not just you. It is a word with a broad meaning and Atwood highlights this word to clarify that "You" isn't just a word addressed to single person, it can mean everyone.
Serena Joy(45)
Serena Joy was the name of the Commander's Wife, but it wasn't her real name, her real name was Pam. This name was italicized because it was a name that caused the misery of Pam. She gave out speeches on the rights of women but people deny her and set out to kill her. All the attempted murder that occurred to her left her speechless, she doesn't make speeches anymore. This name left an important memory and a scar which Atwood reveals to the readers.
how did you come up with a "strong" mood from what the author have italized?
Deletecan you give a example of contexts?
Allusion:
ReplyDelete"The future is in your hands" (47).
This is from the bible in Psalm 31:15 "My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who perscute me".
This connects to the handmaid because Aunt Lydia is telling the handmaids that everyone's future depends on them. This meaning the future generation, and that they are supposed to give birth to children. In addition, it also connects to the handmaid because they are being delivered to their enemies which are the wives of the commander and the commanders.
"Forgive them, for they know not what they do" (46).
This is from the bible when Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(Luke 23:24).
This connects to the handmaid because it is saying to forgive your enemies, and this seems to be a big concept in the book. The handmaids have to forgive the wives for hating them. Meanwhile Jesus forgives the soldiers for dividing his clothes. Jesus' enemies were the soldiers that crucified him, and who did not acknowledge his presence by playing for his clothes. This is similar to the handmaid since their enemies are the wives, and they must deal with their cold treatment. However, they must forgive them.
Repeated Words and Images:
ReplyDelete"Plaster eye in the ceiling" (37)
The eye image means that someone or something is always watching all of the men,women, and officials in the Republic of Gilead. Also the eye keeps these people from ever thinking about doing trouble like breaking the law of the land since this eye creates a sense of fear to them. The author repeats this image because it is a symbol in the book as well as a symbol to the Republic of Gilead as a flag type of symbol.
"The Wall" (43)
The Wall means that the Republic of Gilead's borders are marked by this wall that towers over the territory.In addition, this wall blocks off the people who are in the Republic of Gilead from the outside world like it's an isolated world that lives apart with its own rules and people that are unmixed by the outside world. The author repeats this because the wall is also a symbol like the eye because the wall is what blocks out the world of theocracy ruled by Christianity from the outside world that includes everything else. This wall symbolizes the blurr that separates past from present.
Period 4
ReplyDeleteAllusions:
-"Forgive them, for they know not what they do" (46).
This quote is an allusion to what Jesus says in the Bible when he was being crucified. It basically says to forgive others because they do not know the consequences of their actions. The author, Atwood, alluded to this when she described how the Wives treated the handmaids. The Commander's wife, Serena Joy, barely communicates with Offred and mostly ignores her. Aunt Lydia tells Offred to forgive the Wife for anythings she does because, like any other wife, she didn't want to have to share her husband with another woman.
Italicized words:
-"I only remember screaming... 'Where is she? What have you done with her?'" (39).
When Offred became a handmaid, her daughter was taken away from her. The author uses italics to emphasize how desperate she was when her family was taken from her. Later when she was shown a picture of her daughter and the people who took her in, Offred couldn't even recognize her anymore.
why do you think the mood deperate?
DeleteIn the context it shows that he came out whispering.(39) in my view if it was deperate it should be with "!" marks
Your analysis for the first allusion you talked about was really clear to me. I liked how you connected it to the Bible first, then you defined the phrase in your own words, and then you connected your definition of the phrase back to the text.
DeletePeriod 4
ReplyDeleteRepeated Words:
But then what happens?(39)- I believe the author was emphasizing Offred's confusion and hestitation. She seemed perplexed as to what happened after she burned that magazine because she does not remember anything in immediate sequence.
Story(39-40)-The author repeated this word to show that Offred was vacillitating between what she remembered as only a fiction or actuality. She also wanted to indicate her desire to only remember her former life being taken from her as only a story.
You(40)- The author repeats the word "you" because she is emphasizing the fact that she is speaking to the reader and trying to connect but see cannot because it is not allowed. Instead of telling or writing a story, she writes a letter to herself but it communicates to everyone in general. As long as her story isn't directed to one particular person, then she is safe.
Mayday(44)- This would is repeated for she is in a nostalgic mood, thinking and commemorating moments with her husband. When Ofglen say this, she directly links it to when her husband educated her on what they word mean and what language it was derived from.
Under His Eye(45)- This phrase is repeated after the disrespect of the Econowives as to make vivid similarities between Offred and Ofglen. They both felt like acting irrationally but they didn't for those women in the procession were bereaved. Instead, they walked away and left in God's hand that their condolences were so disregarded and unappreciated. They were both trying to do the right thing in God's eyes.
Serena Joy(45)- The author repeated her name several times as to focus on the Commander's Wife's persona. She also wanted to her new idenity was a fake and troublesome for he real name was Pam and he new name sounded like a brand of hair product. Her new identity as the Commander's Wife was also troublesome because she stopped singing and delivered speeches which almost had her killed twice. This new life of hers, stressed her out and deteriorated her beauty.
Smell(47)- This words was repeated to reintroduce her nostalgic mood. The smell of yeast made her remember her old life of freedom in her own home.
Room(49-50)- This word is reiterated to invoke her right to privacy. In her old life she had full privacy. Now she had to live in a room which was not only occupied by someone else but also being inspected by the Commander.
•some italicized words and why you think Atwood italicizes them
ReplyDelete►"lie", "lay" (37)
> Atwood uses this to compare power to lay down means that the women have the chose to have sex according to theocray. But then to lie down is more like a command to the women, showing that you have to go down to the commander.
►"Date rape" (38)
> This means that if a male would try to have sex with a women, the women would usually verbally refuse and physically resist, and the male wouldnt be charge of it.
►"Where is she? What have you done with her?" (39)
> Atwood italicizes the words to show Offred’s rebellious protests. Throughout the book so far, when Offred speaks, her speech is not italicized, but her thoughts are. Therefore I believe that in this case, Offred has taken her first verbal stand in the book, going against the society.
►"Dear You", "you" (40)
> Atwood chose to italicized these words because she wants the reader to understand the importance of telling a story. Since writing was forbidden, the only way to tell these stories was by telling it to someone. She chooses the word "you" because you can refer to someone or yourself.
►"Mayday", "m'aidez" (44)
> Mayday means that you're going down, usually used at voice radio signal for ships and people in serious trouble at sea. This connect to the Handmaid’s tale because many people need help. They are trapped and controlled by the government, and that is why they need help. Plus it might involves the war around them at the time.
►"Serena Joy", "Time", "Newsweek" (45)
>Serena Joy was once successful in her youth, and is shown in magazines like Time and Newsweek. This shows that Serena had a wonderful past and was a model, however over time, she turned into someone different, that no one can really recognize.
►"mine" (49)
> When the handmais fianlly said something was her it was important, because she finally claims something. She adpated to it and became part with it. So this is important to see.
QUESTION:
1. Why did everyone did more than one of the following topics?
Ms Karvunis states clearly to pick one. (its not likes it extra credit or more credit right?)
2. During the talk about the burning magazine, is it the past or present? it seems like it was going back and forth each sentence.
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ReplyDeleteItalicized Words:
ReplyDeletelie , lay (37)
-The author italicized these words to express the difference between these two terms behind their definition.
Date rape (38)
- To express that its a different noun term.
Where is she? What have you done with her? (39)
-A sentence that showed a lot of emotion and gives a visual image, and express flashback (PAST)
Dear you, you-5x- (40)
-Atwood repeats this word five times to show that anything can represent "you", but it can also mean "thousands" or just an individual.
Mayday-3x-,m'aidez (44)
-To show this word is significant and the author wants the readers attention.
Serena Joy
-The author italicizes the term serena Joy to show that it is an allusion.
Mine (49)
To grab the readers attention and show the narrators tone.
Allusions:
“All flesh is grass” (45)
-Isaiah 40:6-8 (NKJV)The Bible uses the image of grass to illustrate the mortality and corruptibility of man, ( All flesh: All men). The meaning portrays that our lives are short and we return to dust at the time ordained by God (Eccl. 3:20; 12:7). "Nothing remains even of the beauty and attractiveness of human life." Isaiah says that it fades like a flower.
“Forgive them, for they know not what they do” (46)
Jesus says this to his father and tells him to forgive his children for they are sinners. and that they don't understand what they are doing is wrong.
“milk and honey” (47)
Place where for nourishment.
Italicized words
ReplyDelete- see (39): Atwood italicized this to emphasize that Offred's mother did not want her daughter to be exposed to pornography. This shows that she was a protective mother.
- you (40): you is italicized and repeated several times in the same paragraph. When Offred says, "Just you, without a name," you is used to address anyone. However, when she says, "Attaching a name attaches you to the world of fact," she is speaking to one person in particular, whose name she left out on purpose so as not to endanger his or her life. Atwood italicized both types of you to emphasize the difference between the two.
- m'aidez (44): A French word meaning "help me." Atwood italicized it to emphasize that it's in another language.
- Serena Joy (45): Atwood italicized it because it was the name of a substance used to straighten people's hair.
- Time and Newsweek (45): Atwood italicized these two words because they're the names of publishers.
- mine (49): Atwood italicized this because Offred regards the room as her own. Even though every room in the mansion belongs to the Commander, Offred thinks it's wrong for the Commander to be outside of her room with unknown intentions. Therefore, she feels that her privacy is being violated.
Do you believe that there is a deeper meaning to why Atwood italicized the words "Time and Newsweek"? Other than it just being the name of publishers?
DeleteMario Joya
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
Italicized words:
Lie and Lay (49) –
The author explains the difference between the two although they are the same thing when the reader views it. The difference is that lay is passive…? Lay is the present but lied is the past. The whole book is distinguishing the present from the past so the author is probably reinforcing the idea to show the difference between the present and past.
Date Rape (38) –
The author probably uses this as a satire. The reason it can be a satire is because she is ridiculing something that is serious. “Date Rape, I said. You’re so trendy. It sounds like some kind of dessert."(38) Rape in general isn’t something funny or that brings amusement to people. So the fact that the author writes it in a way comparing it to something pleasant… in a way she can be ridiculing the action or she might just be contradicting it as well.
See (39) –
The narrator is in a position where she is doing something wrong. At least that is what the reader can inference from the way her mother talks to her. In way that makes the reader believe the narrator now how something to hide or that she is doing something illegal.
Element of Satire Used: Ridiculous Names
ReplyDeleteAtwood stated that the Commander’s Wife’s, “real name was Pam” (45). The Commander’s Wife’s name went from Pam to “Serena Joy”. The name “Serena Joy” is ridiculous. In the past, Serena made speeches about, “how women should stay home” all the time to obtain the quality of being holy (45). The word joy means a great feeling of happiness. Serena’s message to society was that women should just remain home all day. Obviously, staying home all day will not bring anyone happiness. This is why “Serena Joy” is such a ridiculous name for the Commander’s Wife.
An Italicized Word: “You”
Atwood continuously italicizes the word “you” (40). The novel contains a society that is made up of strict social classes. These social classes have a specific way or acting and dressing. Their actions are constantly being limited. Also, each person is not exactly viewed as an individual. Instead, they are viewed as a part of a specific social class. For example, handmaids are all seen as a group of females that are used to bear children. They are forced to dress the same, so they don’t have much physical individuality when it comes to their outfits. Atwood italicizes the word “you” to exaggerate the meaning of being an individual. It is difficult to be “you” in a society that is based on strict social classes.
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ReplyDeleteItalicized words:
ReplyDelete-Mine (49)
I think Atwood Italicized this word to show how Offred was shocked to call the room she sleeped in hers. In the beginning of the book she had said that she didn't like calling her room hers because the way she seened it was that it wasn't hers.
-Serena Joy (45)
I think Atwood italicized this name because Offred belives that this name is so stupid for someone like Serena Joy because in the novel Serena Joy is nowhere near joyful. Offred is basically showing her mocking tone towards the commander's wife. Offred believes that it's a stupid name for someone like her whos always depressed and unhappy.
This can also show satire because this is a ridiculous name because Serena Joy doesn't sound right for a woman like the one described.
Question: Why does the author describe a past event that Offred experienced with her mom? Was the scene suppose to be some type of foreshadowing or did the author just want to include some of Offred's past life?
I think it has to do with what Offred said at the end of the flashback. She said, "I would like to believe this is a story I'm telling" (39). In my opinion, Offred is constantly thinking of her past but she doesn't want to. She wants to forget it and pretend it's just some story in order to accept her current life. She's trying to accept the fact that she'll never go back to the past. Of course, its not easy to just forget so Offred will think about it it but in the end pretend that it's only some story.
DeleteI think Offred doesn't fully remember her past. During chapter 7 she kept on getting random flashbacks she couldn't fully remember. She said how "there must of been needles, pills something like that" (39). I believe Offred is given drugs to someone superior over who and this would cause her to have certain memories that weren't that clear. These flashbacks are used to show the differences between her old life and new life.
Delete“All flesh is grass” (45)
ReplyDeleteThis piece is both an allusion and a satire.
This is an allusion from the bible saying that humans are mortal (Isaiah 40:6). When Atwood uses it he miss uses because Offred corrected Lydia saying that all flesh (probably the humans) are grass instead of saying they are mortal. The reason he probably used it ws so that people can understand that to him they are like grass. Grass that craves for the flowers (in previuos scene the description of flowers) or to say that flesh like grass is easy to "break" (usuing incorrect term I know) or that they can't help but go for their desires.
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DeleteAdding on to before this is satire because Atwood misuses the quote form the bible. This is Warped logic and in a way ironic because you wouldn't expect to compare flesh to grass.
DeleteKayla Chang
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
I believe that Atwood chose to italicize this word, “lie”(37) and in the past tense “lay” (37), because she wants to emphasize the meaning. To lie down would be to do it at the moment whereas to lay down would be doing it sometime in the past. In this book, Offred often shifts from her present life to her past one. I think that here, she wanted to point it out and emphasize the difference. Now, to survive, she has to “lie down” and hope for the best. However, in the past, people used to throw the word around like nothing. Men used to say, “I’d like to get laid” and “I’d like to lay her” (37). That was the past, where there was a society we call “normal”. Now though, it’s all changed so the narrator really wants to draw attention to it. The present and past is so different that even the tenses of the word make a difference.
“Serena Joy” (45) is italicized because to writing it in normal form is not enough. Offred was thinking how stupid her name was so if it was just written without the italicizing, it wouldn’t have the same effect. In my head, I can picture her thinking of the woman and her name with resent and spitting her name, “Serena Joy”, with a hateful attitude. The way it’s written adds an effect to it, a certain flare I think.
I agree with you that "Serena Joy" is italicized to show her true character. From the beginning Offred met Serena, Offred wasn't welcome. Instead of being treated as a guest she was treated as a piece of unwanted trash. Since Serena has the last name Joy the reader might assume she was a happy and friendly character. However, Serena is the opposite of that. She is truly mean and stubborn.
DeleteAllusions
ReplyDeleteMilk and Honey (47)
Milk and Honey is the land of natural fertility promised to the Israelite by God. It is the land of richness, nourishment and abundance. It is seen as a paradise for growth and products of food. It comes in the Bible by the section Ezekiel 20:6. It connects to the Handmaid Tale because Milk and Honey in the book represents a market from food. It is a place to buy food similar to the real meaning of nourishment and fertility.
Italicized Words
You (40)- The author italicized "you" in the story because she wanted to explain the meaning of "you". "You" can be referred to many things such as a speech to a person or the person directing to you. Also, "you" referring to in a letter or name reference. The italicized "you" develops the understand of using "you".
The author repeats "you" a couple of times when she brought it out in the story. I think the author repeated "you" because she was trying to explain the usage and meaning of "you". She repeats them because she wants the reader to keep in mind the usage and meaning of "you".
Serena Joy (45)- The author italicized "Serena Joy" because she wanted to describe her. It the book, the author is putting a bit about Serena Joy's background information. By italicizing her name helps the reader pay more attention to the description of her.
Time (45)- The author italicized "Time" because she is referring to the New York Times (my prediction). Time is the news article in this place because her usage of "Time" in the situation was information. "Time" would be italicized in this situation would be the reference of the news.
An element of satire I found in the story was an understatement of the name Serena Joy. The author described her name as stupid and expressed it as "something you'd put on your hair (45)". She was not exaggerating with the name and bringing it out as an understatement where to make it less dramatic. I believe she wants to make a dramatic encounter with the name since she named it stupid. It is also irony or warped because the name Serena Joy seems to mean joy and happiness but the character is not joyful and the name is being called stupid.
~Jacky Lee Period 8
I disagree with your reason why the author italicized the word "you". Atwood mentions in her book how the word "you" "can mean thousands" (40). This shows how everyone else has a different interpretation of this word. For example, from Offred's perspective the word "you" shows how women were limited to express themselves in Gilead. She says "You don't tell a story only to yourself"(40). This shows how Offred believes women weren't allowed to express themselves verbally. They had to tell their stories or thoughts inside their head.
DeleteI have a question
ReplyDeletewhy does Atwood make Offred angry about her room rather than things like wearing the dress or anything else?
Did he do this to show that even through all this girls still care more for their privacy in their room?
These questions were generated around the end of page 49.
Period 4
ReplyDeleteAn element of satire that Atwood uses is satire. One element of satire that Atwood uses is irony/ ridiculous names when Offred goes to the Wall and finds 6 bodies hanging by the Wall where she comments “there must have been a Men’s Salvaging early in the morning” (32). This is ironic because salvaging means to save something or someone. In the book the way that the people are saving the men is by hanging them and to therefore be a show for the people. This is also a ridiculous name because people can’t be saved by being hung to be seen as a spectacle. Atwood used satire to show just how religious that society is since they were probably hung because they were doing penance for their sins and in order for them to be forgiven had to therefore die.
Just delete the first sentence that was a mistake
DeleteSatire
ReplyDeleteElement of Satire :Irony
“ Caught together, they must have been, but where? A barracks, a shower?” (43)
Offred was on her second shopping trip with Ofglen and noticed there were priests who were getting arrested because they were homosexuals. From this quote, Atwood is satirizing religious hypocrisy. The priests were hypocrites against their religion for loving the same kind of gender. It was ironic for priests to be homosexuals because being a homosexual was a crime against Christianity. They converted into a concept that they promised they never were going to be, but in the end they had to face the consequences for their actions.
“It sounds like some kind of desert. Date Rape” (38)
In this situation, Moira was telling Offred how she did a paper on Date Rape. Immediately when Moira mentioned the topic to Offred, she assumed it was a sweet treat. From this scene, Atwood is satirizing the women’s logic because Offred viewed “date rape” as something pleasant while others view rape as a horrifying thing. “Date Rape” involves women having sexual intercourse as an attempted assault. This meaning is nowhere near Offred’s foolish thoughts. Offred was completely off. This quote is also an example of warped logic because Offred had twisted ideas about this concept.