Reread your HWs and previously read pages and come in to class prepared for a seminar on:
- Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme? Use evidence to try to figure it out.
- What words and images are repeated over and over? What might that word or image symbolize? How does it connect to the themes? Use evidence.
- What themes are present thus far?
Sera Siddique
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
What themes are present thus far?
The main theme in my perspective that is present so far is change. Atwood is expressing how things changed form Offred's past life to her present life. In her past life she has more freedom and can express herself more freely." Out of time.Though this is time, nor am I out of it.But the night is my time out.Where should I go?"(37). Offred's past life expresses that she was independent and carefree." The good weather holds. Its almost June, when we would get out our sundresses and our sandals and go for an ice cream cone"(43). This also expresses that she can go out whenever she wants, wear what ever she wants and basically do whatever whenever she wanted to. In her present life she is more restricted. She has to live by rules because the place she is living in is a theocracy. " Tell, rather than write, because I have nothing to write with and in my case is forbidden"(39). Offred is restricted to do things like in this case write. The people forbidding her to do such actions don't even give her the opportunity to do so. " Excuse me," he says to both of us, politely enough." They're asking if they can take your picture." I look down at the sidewalk, shake my head for no"(28). They are even restricted to take picture's take to men and so other things. It all ties up with change because Atwood is expressing change with using Offred's past and present life.
I agree with you Sera, I think one of the themes in this book so far is change. The narrator, Offred, is always flashing the readers back to the past where everything was completely different than it is in the present. She flashes back to times where she was free to do what she pleased, but now in this new theocratic government she isn't able to express herself as much as she could in the past.
DeleteI agree with Amani and Sera but at the same time, I believe that the theme is also flashback because she keeps talking about the past and it seem like she misses her old life before the revolution.
DeleteI agree with Yuris because throughout the book she flashbacks and from her memories we can infer what the past was like.
DeleteHold on, I'm confused. I don't think flashbacks are a theme. Flashbacks are a form of interpolation and interpolation is an element of writing.
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ReplyDeleteDaisy Galicia
ReplyDeleteHonors Humanities Pd. 4
May 13, 2012
Topic: What themes are present thus far?
- One of the themes that have been present would be government change. The government in which the people used to live in a democracy in which the people were free and women were treated as equal. Then, the government changed and turned into a theocracy. The government changed into a theocracy because there were low rates in population. The government was then changed into a theocracy and women were separated from their husband's. They were then taught on how to be a Handmaid. They were then assigned to a Commander and his wife is they were having trouble having children. Since the government changed, women were only considered as "sex tools" and didn't have any rights. Therefore I think that government change is an important theme in the book.
Amani Nijem
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
What themes are present thus far?
A theme that I have noticed throughout the book so far is sexuality. A handmaid is a woman that is able to have children for a wife. Offred, the narrator, is a handmaid. She has children for the Commander. Atwood states "I hope they get hard at the sight of us and have to rub themselves against the painted barriers, surreptitiously” (Atwood 22). This scene is when Offred and Ofglen are walking past the Guardians at the barrier. Offred is thinking sexual thoughts when she passes by them. She wants them to think of her. She was probably thinking that if they offered to have sex with her she would accept. Sexuality is one of the themes that I have found thus far.
Yuris Ng Pang
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
What themes are present thus far?
So far, the theme of the book is women and their restriction. In the Handmaid’s world, women are not allowed to read, write, and act freely. Due to this reason, the women are illiterate and just give up on their life. However, Offred is different. She doesn’t believe in her fate and doesn’t want to accept it as it is. In the book, she would talk about how women are given limited rights. One of the limitations that she talked about was “… writing is in any case forbidden.” (39) This show that the women were not allowed to express themselves and become literate. I believe the reason that they are prohibited from writing because the commanders are afraid that they would become smarter than they are and revolt. At the same time, Offred talks about their restricted uniform that they were assigned to wear. In chapter 2, she said, “Everything except the wings around [her] face is red: the color of blood, which define us.” (8) In this part, she is talking about the red uniform and white wings that the women are required to wear. I believe what she means in the quote is that women are a part of sacrifices in the theocracy dystopia. They are responsible of reproduction and stay clean. Therefore, these women are limited by rules and society.
Samantha Octtaviani
ReplyDeleteperiod 4
What words and images are repeated over and over? What might that word or image symbolize? How does it connect to the themes? Use evidence.
Throughout the book Atwood repeatedly describes subjects as being red; whether it's a garment, or a flower. Offred and many others are forced to wear a red garment, or rather a red dress. Offred describes it as "a Sister, dipped in blood" (9). The dress is supposed to represent fertility and a woman’s menstrual cycle, most likely as a sign for good luck in child bearing. However, in the way Atwood explained it through Offred, it’s a lot more twisted than that. Not only is sleeping with someone other than your husband or wife considered adultery, but it is accepted as the norm in a Christian theocracy. It is very hypocritical and so is the color red: it’s not a very innocent color and mimics that of the Scarlet Letter. The color red is repeatedly shown as bad even as a color on flowers. Offred describes and expresses how “the tulips along the border are redder than ever, opening, no longer wine cups but chalices; thrusting themselves up, to what end?” (45). The tulips were mentioned a couple times before as being red and beginning to form shape. However, on this description Atwood makes Offred go into a little more depth. The tulips are talked about as if they had feelings and they could hope to accomplish something in life, since they are thrusting themselves up. But Offred isn’t just merely talking about tulips. The flowers symbolize the women made to dress in red and sleep with the Commanders. Offred continues on with her description and says, “they are, after all, empty. When they are old they turn themselves inside out, then explode slowly, the petals thrown out like shards” (45). These flowers are representing herself, and those like her. She has nowhere to go but where she is forced to go. Whether or not she wants to, she has to serve the Commander and his wife and bear children from him. Offred and those like her “slowly explode” as they get older become useless when they can no longer have children. The color red is a main theme in the book and symbolizes the hypocrisy of a theocracy, and sexism oppressing woman in the world.
Wilson Hinh
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
* What themes are present thus far?
One of the themes that play a big role in this book is memories. All the flashbacks that she has and everytime she goes back in time to tell us about something that happened in the past are all memories. With her new life working as a Handmaid now, she often encounters many times when she is able to relate back to her past life. Relating to her past life triggers these memories to come back to her, life with freedom, life with a family. She often comes back to Luke, "Luke and I used to walk together, sometimes, along these streets" (23). With her life now, she is forbidden to have a family, hold any type of past relations with people such as Luke and her daughter. The only thing that she does have left are these memories and flashbacks. She was even able to remember back to days with her mother, "Or in a park somewhere, with my mother" (38). Where she first witnessed book burnings of pornography and had her first try at it. She dated back to college days with her friend Moira, when they were actually allowed to be educated. She remembers talkign with her roommate and doing papers "What's your paper on? I just did one on date rape" (38). These memories are one of the main things that are able to bring out the "past" of her story. These memories are one of the things she has left from he "past" life.
Minyi Ruan
ReplyDeletePeriod 8th
Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme? Use evidence to try to figure it out.
One of the reasons why Atwood italicized some words because the words can not be expressed in the public or private. When the Marthas are talking about the gossip, Atwood italicized their conversation, "Stillborn, it was. Or, Stabbed her with a knitting needle, right in the belly. Jealousy, it must have been, eating her up..."(11). The Marthas are talking about other women and their life. Those thing can not be share in front of the public because its means and they need to stay quiet in the society. Another privacy that Atwood italicized is "westernized" (28). In this society, Western cultures are not allow. Women in this society can not wearing western clothes and western education. This is also a thing that can not be share in the public. Those italicized words revolve around the theme of restriction. People, especially women must stay quiet in the public. They didn't have the freedom of speech, like most of the western countries do. They are restrict to become a "robot" which can not has its own thought. Even though they have, they have to keep it secret.
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ReplyDeleteSam Zhang 4th period
ReplyDeleteTopic :Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme?
The author, Atwood italicized some words because as the story goes on, he connects it to the theme of change. In the book, the narrator have things against her room. "The door of the room-not my room, i refuse to say my- is not locked"(8). At the beginning of the novel, she doesn't like the room she has and she is not considering the room is her's. This shows that she doesn't care about the room because she doesn't even locked it. However, this had changed because near the end of chapter 8, Commander went inside her room, "Was he invading? was he in my room? i called it mine" (49). Since their religous had prevent woman to interact with man, she was scare because he went to her room. If people find out a man is inside her room, she would be taking all the resposibility even though she don't lock her room. Because she was careless about locking the room, now she migt get in trbouble. Therefore, the italicited word "My" bring out the theme of change.
Wendolinne Galindo
ReplyDeleteHonors Humanities period 8
What themes are present thus far?
A theme present in the book is the idea of a utopia. The government wants it to be a specific way and to make it perfect. However, the rules they have implemented don't really make things perfect. In a way, it may seem like a utopia for the government but not for the rest of the people, especially for women. This connects to another theme of religion and how the people are in a sort of theocracy under Christianity. Also, women and how they are being treated as objects instead of people. Handmaids are seen as just baby makers and need to be sacred. This is something that is shown throughout the book so far, how the handmaids are protected and live in a restricted environment because they are necessary.
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DeleteI agree that a theme in the book is the idea of Utopia, but do you have any specific evidence to support that idea?
DeleteYing Ying Zhen
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
What themes are present thus far?
One theme in the book so far is children. Children are so precious and increasing the birth rates are the major goal in Republic of Gilead. Women that are able to have babies are more value in the society compare to the barren women. Children mislead the ideas of traditions and family. Families are being separated and marriage is no longer needed in order to have babies. Having babies also give the people prides in the society. The handmaid, Ofwarren, go out to shopping when she has a baby and “she’s come here to display herself. She’s glowing, rosy, she’s enjoying every minute of this” (26). Other handmaids loath her for showing off her baby and they are also jealous of her. The handmaids want to be pregnant so they will be value when their ovaries are viable. Women are use as a tool to bare children because of the age of declining births. In addition, a funeral is given to baby that could not make it to life. The dead baby is put inside black jar and “two of three months, too young to tell whether or not it was an Unbaby” (44). They value children so much that a embryo is given a funeral and the women will be devalue when the baby died.
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ReplyDeleteBogdan Gechka
ReplyDeleteHumanities period 4
Why does Atwood italicized some words?
The main reason I think the author italicizes these words is to give emphasis or make the reader focus on the specific words she is italicizing. When a reader reads a sentence they see the same print and then suddenly a sudden word or phrase is italicized. This makes the reader stop and think about that word. It has a special meaning beyond the rocks and the author wants to reader to try to interpret what that word or phrase may really mean. For example, when the author says, “Where is she? What have you done with her?” (39) there is a more beyond the rocks meaning behind it. The author is trying to emphasize the confusion going on in the scene and she does that by asking those questions in and italicizing them. Normally a reader may have just read over that however now that they are in this special form they may see that actually it means there is some kind of confusion.
When I first read that sentence, I was asking myself who the heck is "her"? I suspect now that "her" is Offred's daughter because the daughter is mention in the blurb and after this sentence there are some hints that lead me to this conclusion. What do you think, Bogdan? Who do you think is "her"
DeleteI thought "her" is Offred, and that the mother was the one speaking because Offred was explaining an event with her and her mom and then how time past and she didn't know what happened (I thought she was drugged or something). Offred's mother was also shocked and confused with what was going on and what happened to her daughter (Offred) and started asking those italicized questionsf. -- Did I read that section wrong?
DeleteLater on in that page, Atwood states that "She was only as tall as the women's elbow" (39). Since "she" or "her" was short, it makes me believe "she" was a child. The child might be Offred's daughter. I might have read it wrong too.
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ReplyDeleteJoseph Annaruma
ReplyDeletePeroid 8
Italicized words that become a symbol are: my (8) and mine(49).
Offred says "the door of the room - not my room, i refuse to say my-" (8). This represents she has no ownership of the room. She doesn't feel like it belongs to her. On page 49 she says "Was he inviding? was he in my room? I called it mine?" (49). She called it hers. To her the room isn't hers. But once the commander ender the room which broke custom she felt like it was hers. she felt he was invading her privacy.
She uses the italicized words to change the tone of the book. she changes the was the character feels with these italics. These words in particular revolve around the theme of loss of innocence. She loses her innocence by not having her privacy on page 8, and on page 49 when her privacy was being invaded.
I agree with your theme of loss of innocence. Also, I do feel that Offred felt like her privacy was invaded on page 49.
DeleteWhy Atwood does italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme? Use evidence to try to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteAtwood italicized words in order to show key words with more emphasis and that the author wants to direct her attention to us the readers. An example would be the when Offred said “I will say you, you, like an old love song. You can mean more than one.” (40) In these lines Atwood is trying to put her attention upon us. “You” is referring to the readers. In these italicized words the author is trying to show that these words affected her during her life time. Offred had heard these words throughout her life. Furthermore these words revolve around the particular theme of memories since Atwood mostly talk about the past of Offred.
Leslie Valero
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
What themes are present thus far?
The themes that I've noticed in the book so far are restrictions and the changes that this society had during the different periods of time. We are able to see these changes and the restrictions that these women have when Atwood introduces the present and past for the reader. Through the different time period we are able to see the differences in how life was before the war and how it is now. Before, Offred had her husband Luke and a daughter. They would always spend time together because it was a normal thing to do. Such as walking along the streets together(23). However, now it is forbidden for these handmaids to communicate with men because they always have to hide their faces with white covers. Offred "nods, but i do not answer with my voice. He isn't supposed to speak to me" (45). When she said ths she was referring back to Nick's actions towards her.
Kevin Doodnauth
ReplyDelete4th Period Honors Humanities
What theme's are present thus far?
- Throughout the previous readings the theme's that I have come across between chapters were Religious obedience within "The Gilead".Within this period, "The two others have purple placards hung around their necks: Gender Treachery"(43).Gender Treachery in this case was indeed Homosexuality, which in a Christian religion is not permitted. For this act of treason these two people were hanged in order to keep the stability and pact of the religious pact. Although in the past era, individuals had freedom,weren't religious, and open to anything. Atwood explains, "Moria, sitting on the edge of my bed, legs crossed, ankle on knee, in her purple overalls, one dangly earring, the gold fingernail she wore to be eccentric, a cigarette between her stubby yellow- ended fingers. Lets go for a beer"(37). Within the past lives of women they had more availability of freedom to have do whatever they pleased and was not persecuted of it. The era of the Gilead this would not be permitted, instead of wearing a black dress to a funeral, "...three women, each with a black transparent veil thrown over her headdress...we pause, out of respect, while they go by"(44). This helps to show that religion wise it was a great deal to show respect to a loved one who passed or to a total stranger family member who has passed as mentioned by Offred. On the other hand she also had mentioned if Ofglen, might not feel the same way as shes does individually. Women would have to abide by rules, or they would have major consequences towards them.
I agree with you because theocracy is a government in which is ruled by religion so everything (such as the laws)is going to be based on religion.
DeleteI also believe that religion is a theme because of the Theocracy that they live in. Also the fact that Atwood keeps aludding many things to the bible.
ReplyDeleteGrace Gao
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
what themes are present thus far?
I think one theme that is present is women rights. Throughout the book we are told about many women in a theocratic society. We are also told about some of their lives before the theocratic society developed. One group of women in the society is the Marthas, they are like the maids of the hose, and they cook and clean. Rita, one of the Marthas, wanted to go out and buy her own food, and “she would rather do the shopping, get exactly what she wants, she envies me the walk” (47). This shows that she was restricted because she wasn’t allowed out of the house to buy food. Women rights were taken away because of what their bodies could do, if they were able to have babies they were at a higher social system, unless they married someone rich or poor. Also Handmaids weren’t allowed to talk to others, “I drop my head and turn so that the white wings hide my face” (18). Offred was not able to smile at a guard because she was a handmaid and it was against the law. I think the theme is women rights because throughout the book we are introduced to many women who are limited because of the rules.
Kimberly Garcia
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
What themes are present thus far?
A theme that is present so far is change. Atwood is expresses how Offred’s life changed. She distinguishes and talks about both her past and her present life. Atwood says writes that Offred had more freedom since she went to hotels with Luke and Offred also thinks to herself that she didn’t really appreciate her freedom with her husband when she had it. This shows that she had more to live. In other words, she had a better experience of what life was all about. Now, Offred has expectations she has to follow. She is allowed at a certain time to go out and she is expected to follow certain rules, not just her but everyone else. For example, Nick takes a risk when he winks at Offred. Society in the present is based on theocracy which is a government based on religion. Most priests rule in the name of God or a god. We can see the differences in both the past and the present setting.
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DeleteCarol Lu
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
What words and images are repeated over and over? What might that word or image symbolize? How does it connect to the themes?
Colors are repeated many times in the book. The colors that come up the most are: "white" (9), "red" (9), "black" (9), "blue" (9),and "green" (9). There are obviously obvious meanings for the colors; which are that they are assigned to each member of the theocracy, but could there be something more?
For example, why are the Commander's wives blue? Blue is a symbol of wealth. Maybe it was because of this the wives are assigned to this color.
The Marthas are probably green because green is of nature and life. The Marthas are caretakers, which connects because they take care of life.
The colors connect to theme utopia, as mentioned by Wendolinne. A utopia is a place where everything is perfect. The colors are basically the social class of the people. If you were black, a Commander, you were probably one of the highest people in the hierarchy. Being on top meant you had the most power. In the Gilead, it wasn't the men that were unable to make babies, but the women. The Gilead is a utopia for men, so they're higher on the hierarchy.
Jasmin Cohetero
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
What themes are present thus far?
I think that one of themes that is present in the novel is no rights and little freedom. Women like Offred aren't allowed any freedom because they can't really do anything for themselves. Another thing is that they are always covered so no other person can see them. Another thing is that while Offred describes her past life her present life is so much different because before she was able to do a lot more things than she does now. She was able to go out when she wanted and now if you do go out you need to have a partner and you're practically always being spied on. Before in her past she was able to go out with her husband Luke now she can't do that at all. Certain type of women in the commanders place aren't allowed to leave at all and that shows how little rights women had. It almost seems as if the women live in fear because of what they have to go through.
Where's your evidence?
Delete(This is for Yaliz not me)
ReplyDeleteYaliz Campos
Period 8
An image that has been repeated in the book are flowers. Atwood has stated different types of flowers throughout the book. In Offred's room she has a picture of "a print of flowers, blue iries, watercolor" (7). Flowers are still allowed in the Republic of Gilead (7). I think flower symbolizes women in general. Flowers symbolizes women because are one of nature's most beautiful creations as well as women. Even though flowers are very pretty they can be overlooked. Sometimes people just walk past them and don't take time to smell the flowers or admire their beauty. The same thing with women, people (mostly men) overlooks a woman/girl if they don't meet their "standards". Even though, as Atwood tries to explain through the flowers, every women is beautiful in their own way. When flowers aren't bloomed yet, people are curious to see how beautiful they'll turn out to be. Handmaids have to cover their faces so no one can see them but there's always that one curious guy. Offred and Ofglen give the Guardians their passes so they can get out shopping. "In my returning my pass, the one with the peach-colored mustache bends his head to try to get a look at my face."(21). Like someone curious to see what a flower will look like when it blooms, the Guardian is curious to see what kind of face Offred has. Flowers connect to the theme of oppression because flowers have to stay in the ground. Flowers can't move around on their own. Just like Handmaids aren't allowed to go anywhere or do anything without permission. Their freedom is being oppressed by society. They have a specific place in society that everyone expects the Handmaids to follow.
Wow, I haven't thought of the flowers this way, but that makes sense. While the flowers can symbolize a women and the curiosity they cause, I thought the flowers were a symbol of life (for the women). It was described early in the book that the only thing Offred had in her room was a flower, sunlight, and a window. They also explained that the Commander's Wife had a garden filled with flowers and Offred used to have one as well. This shows that in the past, she used to have a free life while today (like you said) they are oppressed. In addition, with the one flower she has in her room, Offred says "I am alive, I live, I breathe..." (8) showing that she is still connected to life and is a little open.
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ReplyDeleteMariela Aviles
ReplyDeletePeriod4
What themes are present thus far?
A theme that has been presented so far are restrictions towards woman. Many women weren't "allowed to go there except in twos.This is supposed to be for our protection, though the notion is absurd: we are well protected already"(19). We can see here that women were not allowed to go to certain places. They needed a certain amount of people in order to go somewhere because they thought it would be "safer" and it was for their "protection". Women in the present were also obligated to cover their faces and hair and weren't allowed to talk to men, " I nod, but do not answer with my voice. He isn't supposed to talk to me"(45). Based on these two quotes, we can see that many women were restricted on doing certain things in society and didn't have the right to do what ever they wanted to. All the women involved in the present had a different life then what they had before. In the past, women had more freedom and piece, unlike the present, women are restricted to certain things.
Nadda Elnasharty
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
What words and images are repeated over and over? What might that word or image symbolize? How does it connect to the themes? Use evidence.
A word that is often repeated in the novel is "time". Offred describes in the novel that she "steps sideways out of my own time. Out of time. Though this is time, nor am I out of it" (37). This means that Offred doesn't accept this society she's in right now and is frustrated with it. Offred wants to leave to a place or time where things were better. This shows the readers that there are two "times" in the novel, or two settings/ time periods; that of the past (where society was free) and that of the present (under a theocratic government). The repetition of this word "time" also helps the reader plant this word in their minds and understand that there are two settings/ time periods. This connects to the theme of change. Through these two different time period, society changes immensely from a free society with women equality, to a theocratic society where women have no freedom. These changes affect the character's lives, such that of Offred's, and encourage them to go back in time or life freely again. Time in the novel is so precious in that it shapes their world/society, Offred's life, a hints on the novel's setting for the readers.
Wai Wing Lau
DeletePeriod 8: Honors Humanities
Do you believe that the changes in government were gradual or immensely fast?
Do you think that the reason time is repeated is to create a message for the reader other than the satire of the Bible and comparison between the past and the present?
Bryan Luna
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
What themes are present thus far?
A theme that is presented so far is isolation and government restrictions. In the book the people live within walls (31). This cuts them off from most of the outside world and limits their communications to only people from within the walls. The government also restricted women from their rights to write, read, and limited their actions. This caused them to not be so educated and had to obey rules because they couldn’t do anything. The narrator, Offred, doesn’t accept the fact that she will always be uneducated and limited to what she can do. She talks about how writing is forbidden (39) and that women have no way to express themselves. They can’t even talk about it because everyone you think is a friend is most likely a spy. I believe the government restricts women from most rights because they fear them becoming smarter and revolt against them .
Stephanie Brito
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
What themes are present thus far?
A theme that I have seen in the book so far is power. Since the society of Gilead is a theocracy the women here have very little power in this society. Since the Republic of Gilead is not a democracy the women here can’t really have a say in anything. The women are held captive and are guarded as if they were in prison. The Guardians here in this Theocracy have more power than the handmaids. They would escort the maids to the front door and only could leave with their escort (13). This shows that the women couldn’t do anything without being watched or having permission from a person with higher minority. Also the women were held captive and couldn’t really do much to escape from where they were kept. Since they were enclosed by this wall and gates that no one would try to escape. The women knew that " The gates barbed wire along the bottom and broken glass set in concrete along the top... no one goes through those gates willingly" (31). Since the women were held captive showing they had no power, the place was really made to ensure that they would not be able to get out. Therefore showing how the women couldn’t really try to escape showing how their power was taken away from them just like their own human rights were as well.
Joe Peploski
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
Topic: Symbols
Two symbols I noticed were the "Eyes" and the color red. I believe the Eyes are included to represent God. In the book, people feel that they need to constantly watch what they say or do for fear that the Eyes are watching. Like when Offred has a seemingly normal encounter with Nick, she comments afterwards, "Perhaps it was a test, to see what I would do" (Atwood 18). This is the same kind of paranoia that comes with religion and the idea that God is always watching you. I think the color red is another symbol. Atwood chose to have the Handmaids wear red, so there must be a reason for that. At one point Offred refers to the color red as "the color of blood, which defines us" (Atwood 8). Red is the color of lust, which makes sense in the context of the book. Handmaids are used to have children, and there is a certain element of lust around them, especially concerning the lower class men who cannot have them. Also, on a slightly more "ew" level, red could symbolize the menstrual cycle and fertility. A Handmaids' sole purpose is to have children, so again, that makes sense. That's all.
Do these two symbols connect to a specific theme in the novel?
DeleteYes ma'am.
DeleteRed connects to the theme of using women solely for reproduction. As in, sex for reproduction rather than pleasure.
The Eyes of course connect to the themes of religion and theocracy. The idea that the Eyes are always watching is similar to the Christian idea that God is always watching.
Jennifer Garcia
ReplyDeleteHonors 8
What themes are present thus far?
One huge theme presented in the novel is the amount of rights women obtain in a theoretic society. Women are not allowed to do anything and are only seen as good for making babies. In this society men “are supposed to show respect, because of the nature of our service” (21). The service is providing babies for the men, and that’s the only reason women are respected. Women are being protected because they are the ones who give birth. Women are protected the theoretic society, but also their power is taken away. Women don’t choose who they want to marry or have a child with, the women are assigned to a man. Women are also can only wear specific things. Women have to be covered up from head to toe, but before women would wear skits, open toe shoes, and no veil. When foreigners go to Gilead the women are reminded by the foreign women “…I used to dress like that. That was freedom.”(28). Women rights is a theme in the novel and it’s showing how it is being violated in a theoretic society.
Jennifer,
DeleteTwo things.
1. Not all women were supposed to provide babies. I mean, wives didn't provide babies because that was the handmaids' job and they couldn't bore children. This is one of the reasons Aunt Lydia says to pity them (46). Marthas also didn't provide babies because their tubes were tied (10).
2. Women did not wear veils. That was in Reading Lolita in Tehran. Women in the Handmaid's Tale wear white "wings" (28).
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ReplyDeleteDo the italicized words you mentioned connect to a specific theme though?
DeleteSherenie Yeung Period 8
ReplyDeleteWhat words and images are repeated over and over? What might that word or image symbolize? How does it connect to the themes?
The color red was repeated over and over. Offred explains that Rita's "frown isn't personal: it's the red dress she disapproves of, and what it stands for" (10). Red is the color of blood, which is present during the menstrual cycle and while giving birth. Red represents the job of the handmaid's, which is to reproduce. The color red shows that actions of the Handmaid's are ironic. Their job is justified because Bilhah helped Rachel and Jacob bear children. However, handmaid's have sex with married men, which is a sin. Their actions are a sin, yet justified in the bible, which is clearly ironic. This connects to the theme of using women as baby making machines. Their role in Gilead was just to reproduce.
The Eyes were also repeated over and over. When Offred sees Nick, she becomes suspicious and suggests that "perhaps he is an Eye" (18). The Eyes were Gilead's secret police. It symbolizes that God is watching everything that happens. This connects to the theme of theocracy. A theocracy is when God and the state are combined and the same. In Gilead, the eye of God watches the totalitarian state.
a handmaid job wasnt only to 'just reproduce', although thats want they were most valued for.
DeleteI agree on your point of view on the "Eye", this book is also related to the satire and the Bible. I think you should have included something about from the Bible, a textual evdience.
Deletekatheryn j.b
ReplyDeleteperiod 4
topic:Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way?
i think atwood italicized some words because she wants her readers to know that the is very important. for an example "i called it mine" (49) in this scene offred encounters the commander which was strictly forbidden. she was lost and confused as to why he was at her presents. offred thinks that no one has seen the commamnder so she descides to call it hers "mine". that is also ironic, because she hasnt been able to call anything hers ever since she lost touch with her old life, being able to go outside side more than once, making her money and most of all being able to spend time with her family.
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DeleteAngela Mendez
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme? Use evidence to try to figure it out.
It seems to me Atwood italicizes words to add emphasis on the importance of basic human rights. No one cannot limit people’s rights or force them to obey laws because of their race, religion, or gender. Women in the society of Gilead are restricted in not having the same privileges as men because of their gender. Women as well, are forced to follow rules that men don’t have to follow. Atwood italicizes the words “Fraternize” and “Sororize” (11) to show us a restriction. The word “Fraternize” means to behave like a brother. Having this word in the English vocabulary is not fair because there is no word that means to behave like a sister. Why do men have the honor of having this word while women have no word that has an equivalent meaning? In other words, women are excluded of having the privilege of owning a word that refers to behave like a woman. Atwood knows this and makes up the word, “Sororize” to represent a non-existent privilege that women do not have. Later on in the book, Offred sees tourists who seem to be questioning themselves “Are they [the Handmaids] happy? How can they be happy?” (29). Atwood italicizes this phrase to convey that it is unbelievable that women who are restricted are happy. The fact that handmaids are forced to wear long red dresses and white “wings” is not fair because men do not have to endear obeying this rule. Since women in Gilead are overall restricted or forced to obey laws that men do not have to follow, it is important to have basic human rights. No one should be excluded because of their race, religion, or gender.
Saralinh Trinh
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
What words and images are repeated over and over? What might that word or image symbolize? How does it connect to the themes? Use evidence.
Throughout the novel, various images of the society’s attire is repeated over and over again. Atwood stated, “Everything except the wings around my face is red: the color of blood, which defines us” (8). All the handmaids were forced to wear this colored attire. Also, Attwood stated that Rita wore, “her usual Martha’s dress, which is dull green, like a surgeon’s’ gown of the time before” (9). This shows that all the Martha’s had to wear a similar dress that was green. Both these pieces of evidence symbolize how strict the social classes were. Each and every social class was told to wear specific outfits and colors. These repeated images connect to the theme that there are strict rules in the society. For example, specific colored outfits are enforced for each social class. As you can see, this is why certain images are repeated throughout the novel.
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ReplyDeleteJonathan Ferrer
ReplyDeleteperiod 8
Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme? Use evidence to try to figure it out.
When the Martha’s are gossiping, Atwood italicized their conversations, "Stillborn, it was. Or, stabbed her with a knitting needle, right in the belly. Jealousy, it must have been, eating her up..."(11). The Martha’s are talking about other women and their lives. This shows that Atwood chooses to italicize gossip words because they have a separate meaning away from basic words in the text. I believe the theme that it revolves around is theme of truth. The reason I chose this theme is because gossip can many times bend the truth, or alter the meaning of something, for example the stabbing with a knitting needle. This could be an example that’s far from the truth, but that is never really considered because it is plain gossip.
Wai Wing Lau
DeletePeriod 8: Honors Humanities
Do you think that there is perhaps another reason why Atwood would italicize certain words and messages?
Do you think that gossip is shown in more than one page of the book?
Do you perhaps believe that the reason why Atwood italicizes words is to make the connotation of the word create tensions in the mood?
Wai Wing,
DeleteDo YOU think there is another reason for why she italicized these words?
I love your comment Angela :)
DeleteGianni Alexander
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
5/14/12
Why does Atwood italicize some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme?
For one thing, Atwood italicized words to emphasize her main points. For example, the book says "then I think: I used to dress like that. That was freedom. Westernized, they used to call it" (28). The author italicized westernized to emphasize the fact that they had more freedom in the past which connects to democracy in the west. By adding in westernized, it's making her point that all of their freedom is gone. The author also italicized words to get the readers attention. For example, "it's French, he said. From m'aidez. Help me" (44). The author italicized m'aidez to get the reader to know that something worse will happen since m'aidez means help me. The author is foreshadowing that someone may be calling for help later on in the book. The message that the author is trying to convey is that their past and present lives are very different since he compared them by describing the past as westernized. This revolve around the theme of change because their society went from being a democracy like it is in the west to a theocracy meaning a religion based government.
Gloria Ho
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
What words and images are repeated over and over? What might that word or image symbolize? How does that connect with the themes?
An image that Offred describes over and over again are the red tulips in the Commander's Wife's garden. I think the images symbolize the Handmaid's and what they are worth. This is because when Offred first brings up the tulips she describes them as "a darker crimson towards the stem, as if they have been cut and are beginning to heal there" (12). This symbolizes the Handmaid's because as Offred, Handmaid's are taken away from who they are in the past and placed into a position that treated rather with more respect then other ranks such as Martha's and Econwives. And to other positions Handmaid's are more protected because they hold the ability to carry the future generations of their society. I connected this idea to how Offred says that the tulips are as if "they have been cut" or been taken away from their past lives and into the position as a Handmaid but even though that they had to sacrifice the freedom of being able to be with who they wanted the benefits of being a Handmaid (the respect, the so called "honor")can easily replace the sacrifice they have to make. Hence, the tulips are "beginning to heal there". Though, this is only what others openly say about the Handmaids. What others in society and other Handmaid's actually know about their position is that they are only empty containers that are used in order to "bear fruit" but after they reach a certain age and they no longer can conceive, they no longer have any worth. This was described by Offred when she said "The tulips along the border are redder then every, opening, no longer wine cups but chalices;thrusting themselves up, to what end? They are after all, empty, when they are old they turn themselves inside out, then explode slowly, the petals thrown out like shards" (45). This shows how the Handmaid's will only be disposed of after it's job is done. This connects with the theme of social hierarchy because in the Gilead there are a variety of different positions and each position represents how much you are worth in society ( how you are treated, how much benefits you have). In this case the tulips represent the position of Handmaid's in the social hierarchy.
A word that was repeated over and over again was "exchange". I think this word symbolizes hope because when Offred was still in the Red Center she mentions that "If only they would look. If only we could talk to them. Something could be exchanged, we thought, some deal made, some trade off, we still had our bodies" (4). I thought that this symbolized hope because in this quote Offred is hoping that if an exchange of understanding were to occur, if the religious leader would just understand how the society was affecting her life and other woman there would be an understanding and maybe things would change back to how things used to be. Or another way this quote can connect to the theme hope is how Offred is trying to regain control over their bodies, and what happens to their bodies. The fact that if an exchange were to be made, if she could just talk to some one, or make eye contact with somebody else then it would prove that she had control over her body and what was happening to it. Another example, is when Offred saw the Commander's Wife smoking a cigarette, she thought "there's always something that can be exchanged" (14). Although the context is different, "exchange" can still symbolize hope. As we all know Offred for some reason really likes noticing cigarettes and it's probably because it reminds her of Moira or basically the past. The black market that sells cigarettes is the only thing that reminds her that as long as she can exchange something it gives her hope that there are some parts of the past that she can still obtain. This also connects with the theme of power because in a way the fact that exchange is a hope for Offred to continue thinking society still has pigments of the past in it, and knowing this Offred can still have hope that one day the past might be brought back and people will have power over their own lives.
Deletei agree with you gloria, and the color red is also repeated.This might be relating to change since that Offred didnt really like wearing red. And had changed from what she originally carved for.
DeleteI don't think you're understanding what I wrote because although I agree that red is definitely a symbol, I'm saying that the TULIPS are a symbol not just because their the color red.
DeleteWai Wing Lau
ReplyDeletePeriod 8: Honors Humanities
Topic: What themes are present thus far?
I believe that a theme that is present in the book so far is time. Throughout the whole book, Offred's narrating is abruptly interrupted, either talking about Offred's past or present. Whenever that happens, there will usually be an indentation, separating two paragraphs (one on the present, one on the past). Such occurrences have appeared in many parts of the book like the controversy of the right to have sex (Atwood 37-38), Offred's tragic loss of her daughter (Atwood 39-40), and so forth. The reason why the past and present are continuously compared is to satirize a carbon copy of a society from the Bible. The present time that Offred is living and narrating the story is run by a theocratic government known as the Republic of Gilead, and the past, a democracy, for before the theocratic establishment, Offred lived in Central America (Atwood 25). Thus, the theme of time generally connects to the theme of governments, whereas the government has changed over time, and are shown over the course of time as we skim between the past and present of Offred's life.
Edson Acosta
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
In the novel, The Handmaid’s Tale the theme that is constantly being portrayed is the idea of the hypocrisy of a theocratic government. The reason is that in mostly all modern religious sects, they portray the idea of equality between both men and women. However, in the theocratic government within The Handmaid’s Tale, women are only viewed as objects. This shows the idea that a government would eventually corrupt ideas based on their religion. This idea is shown when, “Her speeches were about the sanctity of the home, and about how women should stay home. Serena Joy didn’t do this herself” (page 45). This quote shows the hypocrisy of the character since the character is preaching this supposedly moral idea, yet she doesn’t follow her own beliefs. In addition, to her being a hypocrite, she is also going against this idea of equality that many religious sects believe in. Overall, in the novel The Handmaid’s Tale a theme that is constantly occurring is the hypocrisy of a theocratic society.
What was your topic?
DeleteWhat are some of the modern religious sects that believe men and women are equal?
I do agree with you that Serena Joy's speech on page 45 does show hypocrisy. But how does this relate to the government corrupting ideas on religion?
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DeleteYou're citing wrong.
DeleteLily Zhu
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
What words and images are repeated over and over? What might that word or image symbolize? How does it connect to the themes? Use evidence.
An image that I've notice to be repeating a lot are flowers. I think that this image is symbolizing women. If you think about it, the flowers hold the reproductive organs of the plant so it reminds the reader of the importance of fertility in this society. The flowers are also being controlled just like the women in Gilead. Many Wives “have such gardens, it's something for them to order and maintain and care for” (12). The only thing these women could control were the gardens where they planted the flowers. The garden was like the Wives' domain where they “planted” or manipulated their handmaids for their own use. Offred for example can only reminisce about the times where she had a garden but can no longer have one which shows that she no longer had control over her own fertility. Since flowers represent a woman's fertility I think this means that some women like the Commander's Wives were able to control their fertility even if they are infertile. They can borrow it from someone else, such as the handmaids who did not have control and were manipulated. The Wives would tie the flowers in place (12). The flowers in this case represents the handmaids and how they are being manipulated. This connects to the theme of fertility and feminism where a woman's ability to reproduce was highly valued in this society.
I agree with you that flowers do represent women.Too add on, it also seems that it gives the women, such as the Commander's wife, power over themselves. Like what you said about the women controlling their garden, the flower gave women control in their lives. They live in a society where women barely have a choice or freedom. But the flowers in the garden allow the women to have a choice and to have a piece of freedom
DeleteSimon Cheng
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
•Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme? Use evidence to try to figure it out.
"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)"my" (8)
> 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.
"Fraternize" "Sororize" (11)
>refering to behave like a brother/ sister. this is kind of comparing the relationship of Luke and her.
"Pile it on, I can take it" (26)
> this shows that the woman that carries a baby can take the situation, someone who does this for religious beliefs
"undone" (25)
> Atwood probably used this in order to show the real decline of birth rates that causes men to have the eager to do it with a woman.
"Westernized" , "seen" (28) "Are they happy?" (29)
>the impact of the foriegn views on the people of Gilead and the other way around too.
I believe that Atwood uses italicized word in order to show the contrast of soceity from the past and present. this connects the theme of changes. due to the society changes and class structure and etc, it made the narrator Offred not understand the meaning of society as she questions in italicizes too.
Jaymes Yuen
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme?
Atwood italicized some words because those are the words the author wants the reader to notice. Throughout the novel, she didn’t include any quotations for the characters. But the use of italicize words are meant to stand out. One example was the word “mine” (49) and “my” (8). Atwood wrote about Offred not wanting to call anything hers because she doesn’t agree with the society. In a sense of rebellion, she doesn’t say the stuff/room is hers since she doesn’t want this type of society. The italicized words are trying to convey a message that Offred doesn’t agree with the society. Even though her outer shell seems to be “okay” with everything, she’s not. Also italicized words such as “m’aidez” (44) and “Mayday” (43) gave the reader a hint about the message. Both words mean help mean, which connects to the message about Offred not agreeing with this society. I feel that everything revolves around the theme of escape. Offred is trying to escape this society, not physically, but mentally. She’s thinking about the past, thinking about how this isn’t her, and thinking about the world she now lives in.
I never thought about it that way. The last part was an original thought and I agree. When I think about what you stated, I realize that it is true. Offred seems to want to escape. I think though, that other people as well want to escape this society. I mean what about the Commander's wife? I think she wants to escape as well. Maybe this is one of the reason why she smokes (14); to escape the situation mentally. Also, Ofglen seems to want to escape this society. She acts very suspicious. Rita too. I don't know. What do you think about this?
DeleteYves Vilson
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme?.
I believe that Atwood italicizes certain words instead of using quotation marks to express her own unique writing style. It is all part of the writer's structural choices. She conveys through these italics that those word in particular are importantTese words connect because since they are all italicized, they are all conspicuous and attract more focus from the reader to them. THe theme I believe they revolve around is blatancy. Everything in italics is either to entrance and important figure or word and futher clarify it. For example when Serena Joy is mentioned on page 45 in italics, it makes her appear important. In context after her entrance, her past life is described. It detailed that she was a singer, then she made lectures, and then she almost killed twice and may have attempted he own suicide. All the terms inItalics either invoke an emphasis on sarcasm, entrace the mood of nostalgia, and/or clarify a topic and attract special attention to it because it is either an imporatnt person or matter.
I think Atwood also italicized Serena Joy 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.
DeleteI think that what you're saying about the theme (on how it's blatancy) is more related to satire, as Angela said it's a ridiculous name. Additionally, I don't understand how the italicized words are connected since you only say "it's important" that they connect, and afterwards you're only explaining that Atwood italicized some words to attract the reader to focus them more.
DeleteI actually disagree with you, Angela. Rather than "Serena Joy" being a "stupid name," as you mentioned, I think that it is actually ironic. Pam was her real name, but her stage name was "Serena Joy". She gave herself that name when she was a Gospel singer on TV when she was younger. The irony is that now she is neither serene nor joyful. She is no longer famous, can't bore any children, and all she can do is sit around and knit. With a name like Serena Joy, one expects a more than just a fame-deprived woman. That's why it's ironic; she didn't continue to live up to her name. Yeah.
DeleteI didn't say it was stupid. In the text, Offred says it was a "stupid" name. I think it's a ridiculous name as well. Also, didn't we say the same thing?
DeleteWikie Thong
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme?
Atwood italicized words to highlight important messages for the readers. Words like "You"(40) have a deeper meaning than just simply targeting a single person, "You" can mean thousands of other people. Phrases like "Where is she? What have you done to her?" (39) are italicized because they have a strong tone in them, like how this phrase has a sad and worried tone when Offred was screaming for her mother. These italicized words do connect in a way since all the italicized words have an important meaning that helps the reader interpret the text in a different way and break it down further. It doesn't revolve around a theme because there are more than a few themes in the book and the italicized words does not appear in just a single theme.
Jennifer Santamaria
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Topic: Themes
A theme I am noticing is Power; both the presence and manipulation of it. For instance, the Republic of Gilead is a theocratic dictatorship, so power is imposed entirely from the top. Unlike a democratic society, where the people consent to be governed and therefore have an interest in maintaining the structures of society, in Gilead, the government must cover the streets and even individual homes with guards and guns. Women are escorted by the Guardians to and from buildings, and are only allowed to use specific doors (Atwood 13). They are constantly under surveillance as are the other people in Gilead. This shows that power is ever-present because authorites are always on the lookout for anyone doing something wrong. In addition, the people of Gilead cannot openly voice their opinions.The only place that people are free to do so is in their own heads, creating a significant amount of isolation between individuals. One such example would be Offred. She interacts with other characters, but she doesn't respond too often. Most of her responses are kept in her thoughts. When Aunt Lydia warns her about Nick, she says, "Of course some of them will try [...] All flesh is weak". Offred immediately corrected her in her thoughts by saying "All flesh is grass" (Atwood 45). Because the people, particularly women, of Gilead are not allowed to state their opinions, they keep to themselves and secretly judge from afar. This is a manipulation of power because people in the society already know what could happen if they speak out, so authorities can easily silence them. This creates an isolation between individuals, so the presence and manipulation of power are themes that are present thus far. The End.
Why does Atwood italicized some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words? Do they connect in any way? Do they revolve around a particular theme? Use evidence to try to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteAtwood italicized some words such as habits, undone, lie, lay, you, Serena Joy, etc. because she wants to convey a message to us. She italicizes the words because it helps reminds the reader that the word is important. The author italicized "you" in the story because she wanted to explain the meaning of "you" (40). "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". Another word that she italicizes was "Westernized" (28). Westernized is italicized in the story because it creates importance to the reading because "Westernized" means freedom. The western culture meant freedom to the author since they were free to decide on what to wear. It connects in a way to the story because it relates to the past settings and helps the readers to know that the past was a better place to be free. It does not revolve to any particular theme for now.
“Garlands made of tissue paper flowers”(3) In the past having an escape in flowers wasn’t so big because they had freedom, there was no need find a distraction from their lives.
ReplyDelete“a print of flowers, blue irises, watercolor. Flowers are still allowed.”(7) – this means that flowers are pretty much all they have left. They are legal but could be taken away just as everything else was.
“Wives have such gardens, its something for them to order and maintain and care for.”(12)- In any other case the women wouldn’t have anything to do, so gardening provides them with an escape.
“The tulips are red, a darker crimson towards the stem, as if they have been cut and are beginning to heal there.”(12) – Flowers that have been hurt and are healing are like the women who have suffered and are adjusting to their new lives.
“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)
I think one symbol that is repeated throughout the book are the flowers. Flowers such as tulips are used as symbols; the tulip represents perfect love (45). Atwood uses the flowers to represent certain thing then she uses it to express her ideas like that “perfect love” doesn’t exist. The flowers represent a freedom that women are allowed to have in this society. When Atwood states that flower’s are “still allowed” it means many other things have been taking away. Offred uses the flowers as an escape because it’s the one thing that hasn’t been taking away from them and I believe she finds comfort in something she can control.
Katy Lau
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Why does Atwood italicize some words? What message is she trying to convey in these italicized words?
In the novel the author uses italicized words for some words. Atwood used italicized words for dialogue instead of using quotation marks and also to add emphasis to a certain phrase.When the author writes "Where is she? What have you done with her?" (39), the words are written in italics to represent the dialogue. The italics add to how angry Offred was when she learned that her daughter was taken from her. The italics in the novel may represent how the women weren't allowed to speak freely. Instead of quotation marks the author uses italics to show Offred's thought that she would have said allowed if she were allowed to.
Lok Ting Hon
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
What themes are present thus far?
A theme that seems to reoccur in the book is property. A concept given by the bible is property just like in "The Handmaid's Tale" of women being property. In the beginning of the story, Offred describes a room, " not [her] room, [she] refuse to say [her]". (Atwood 8) Offred does not claim that room to be hers because she didn't own anything. Everything belonged to the Commander as well her herself. She is a handmaid and only useful if she can produce babies. However the story changes when Offred is challenged, " Was he invading? Was he in [her] room? [She] called it [hers]" (Atwood 49). This is where Offred starts demanding and will probably change the story. The concept of property is shown in the bible about Jacob and Rachel, where according to the laws, any baby that Rachel's maid has will also belong to Rachel.
Mario Joya
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
Topic- What themes are presented thus far?
Through out this whole book many themes have caused conflict and changes in the life of Offred. It’s not only about Offred but society in general, so society can be a theme but a better theme is social change. The social change is caused by another bigger theme which is religion. Religion is the cause of the change in government, and the change in the rights of the people. Offred was living in a society that really had freedom and didn’t hold boundaries between men and women. After the theme of religion plays in, all of that changes. The men and women have to be separated and have to “live by God.” In other words religion again has influenced the government and has caused them to lose their right and live by the way man portrays religion. The specific religion is Christianity and it is portrayed in a way that makes Offred have little right as a maid. Social and governmental change both have played a huge role because the governmental changed caused the social change. When the government becomes a theocracy or in other words a government based on religion, they switched up the rules which separated the people into a form of social classes. They hadn’t been divided before because they lived in a system based on equality and freedom.
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ReplyDeleteWhat words and images are repeated over and over? What might that word or image symbolize? How does it connect to the themes?
ReplyDeleteAtwood repeats certain colors throughout the book. For instance, the colors red, black, and blue show up several times. The color red is for Handmaids. According to Offred, a Handmaid, “Everything except the wings around my face is red: the color of blood, which defines us” (8). In the Bible, the color red symbolizes life. This connects with how it's used in the book because Handmaids are the ones that give birth. In other words, they're the creators of life. On the other hand, the color black is for the Commanders. Their Whirlwind cars are black, “the color of prestige or a hearse, and long and sleek” (17). However, the color black has a negative connotation in the Bible because it symbolizes sin, death, and famine. Nevertheless, Atwood chose the color black to represent the Commanders. Even though they're in the higher classes, they sin when they commit adultery by sleeping with Handmaids.
As for the color blue, it's for the wives of the Commanders. For example, Serena Joy wears “a long powder-blue robe” (13). In the Bible, blue represents wealth and authority. This connects with how it's used in the book because the wives do not have to perform physical labor. Instead, they direct Guardians to do laborious work (12). These colors connect to the theme of theocratic hierarchy because they're assigned to different members of society and correspond with their Biblical meanings.
In addition to red, the color white is also worn by the Handmaids. They wear white wings that keep them from seeing, but “also from being seen” (8). This is ironic because in the Bible, the color white symbolizes purity. However, Handmaids are impure because they sleep with Commanders.
Nicole Cruz
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A theme presented in the book so far: Women and their Jealousy towards one another.
I think the author repeats the theme of Women and their jealousy towards one another throughout the book so far. In the HandMaid Offred is jealous of one of the tourists, "The smell of nail polish has made me hungry (29)," hungry for the freedom the tourist woman has, hungry for the old life she use to live in, in which she was able to make her own choices. Also the woman who are sterile are jealous of the women who are fertile, "Jealous could get her [OfWarren] its happen before (26)," in this society run by a Christain theocratic government being able to have their own children is something many women would like to have, unfortunately for the women in the Republic of Gilead this is not happening. Also the Commanders Wives are jealous of the housemaids because the wives are aware that their husbands have ownership over women outside of their marriage which is why the Command's Wife shows a displau of jealousy when she tells OfFred, " We for my husband, he is just that. My husband I want that to be perfectly clear. Till death do us part. It's final (16)." All the women in this book are jealous of one another because they all know each one of them has a place in society meaning they can and cant do certain things therefore I believe a repeated theme in the HandMaid is the theme of the jealousy women have towards one another.
Words and images:
ReplyDeleteThe author repeated the words and images of the eye and the colors throughout the book mainly because they are the most important symbols. The eye in the ceiling (37) is one of the appearances it makes for the narrator when she lives in the Republic of Gilead. This eye symbolizes peace and control over the people in Gilead because where ever people see this symbol, they will be in fear or "in peace" to the point that these people can't go against the government. This connects to the theme of fear because the eye "stares" at the people who sees it and it imposes fear since this eye never blinks nor changes at all.
The colors(49) appears throughout the book like the eye. The colors symbolizes the social classes that divides the society of the women who lives in Gilead. Also the men are included in this hierarchy, but the colors are mainly for women. The author repeated the colors beccause they are used to distinguish the women in terms of fertility and/or status. Lastly, this connects to the theme of change because in the past, women are not divided into classes distinguished from the color of their dress and after the establishment of the Republic of Gilead, the women became divided.
Kevin Alonso
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What themes are present so far?
The themes I believe are present in The Handmaid’s Tale so far are oppression of women and change. Oppression of women is a reoccurring theme because women are not allowed to choose what they want to wear, the theocratic government has established a dress code for women that defines their role in society. The Martha’s are identified by green dresses, handmaids are identified by red and by the color of the umbrella of the Commander’s wife it is seen that her color is blue. Offred, in the beginning of the book, describes in detail her appearance, “Everything except the wings around my face is red: the color of blood, which defines us” (8) From her descriptions, it is clear that the theocratic government has required women to wear certain colors to help distinguish each lady from another. Offred’s response to wearing red is “I never looked good in red, it’s not my color” (8). Her response reveals, that some of the handmaid’s/women living in this society did not like how they were being forced to wear certain colors, that they want the freedom of dressing the way they want to in order to actually reflect who they really are instead of being force to dress themselves as their governments wants them to. This is a change from the past because in the past, women had the freedom to dress the way they wanted to. Offred’s college friend in the past, Moira, was dressed in purple overalls, had a dangly gold earring and a gold fingernail (37). From the way Moira dresses, it can be inferred that women had the freedom to choose how they would dress themselves, present themselves to society the wanted they wanted to. Also Offred remembers that she used to go to the laundromats in shorts, jeans or jogging pants. Unlike in the present society where, women are forced to follow a dress code. It is also seen that women have been taken away the opportunity of receiving education. Offred describes that shops are now represented by their images on their wooden signs, since the theocratic government believed that the names of shops are too much of a temptation for women (25). This is a change from the society in the past, because in the past Offred remembers that she used to be able to study Psychology, English and economics (37). Now in this present society, things have changed and women are not even able to have the right to read or write.
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ReplyDeleteWhat themes are presented thus far?
ReplyDeleteThe theme that is presented in the handmaid is etiquette. People in Gilead are expected to follow certain actions and act a certain way. Handmaids in Gilead are expected to wear “red gloves…everything except the wing around [their] face is red: the color of blood” (Atwood 8). This shows that women are being restricted through dressing up in red which connects back to etiquette because it’s something society expects of them. Also, Guards are expected to act a certain way. When Offren sees Nick, a guardian, washing the Commander’s black car, he expresses a friendly gesture by winking at her. Offren responds to this by “dropping [her] head and turn so that the wings hide my face…He’s just taken a risk” (Atwood 18). Guardians are not supposed to show affection towards handmaids. This connects back to the theme of etiquette because it’s something their society expects the guards not to do.
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DeleteI liked the very interesting idea about etiquette. The people in this society do have to act a certain way and they are expected to act like that. But it also shows the negativity of this world and how it is not a perfect utopia because people still violate the laws of this society. People are expected to obey and respect the religion, yet there are those who commit crimes against the order of this society.
DeleteSammi Chan
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What words and images are repeated over and over? What might that word or image symbolize? How does it connect to the themes? Use evidence.
The words and images that are repeated highlight the themes of the theocratic govern society that Offred lives in. There are images and word such as the “Wall” (43) and “freedom” (24). The Wall represents punishment, since it is a place where the government shows the corpses of people who has violated a law such as “Gender Treachery” (43). Gender Treachery is another word for homosexuality which goes against Christianity, the religion that this society runs through, that’s the reason why they are punished. Freedom is also a repeated word throughout the novel; women are known to have little to none freedom, while men have more than the women does. But some women, such as Aunt Lydia still believes there are such thing as freedom for women, her beliefs are a path to keep the women world sane. She makes the best out of this society, she says, “Now that you are given freedom from. Don’t underrate it.” (24) She says that it is very scared for women to have freedom because there are only certain women who are given it, even though it is only a small amount. She wants the handmaids to cherish the little freedom they are given because they will receive no more, by the law. Freedom symbolizes the heart of this theocratic society since it’s becoming smaller and smaller that the citizens are losing it without knowing. Both the Wall and freedom are important to this society; they’re what make up big and small parts of the world Offred and Aunt Lydia live in.
One of the major themes that is seen throughout the novel is the theme of being pure. In the novel Atwood describes the dresses that Offred wears, as “they re are to keep us from seeing, but also from being seen” (8). This shows the theme as being pure because in the society that Offred lives, it is good not to be seen or to see. This shows that the society likes people to be close-minded and to not worry about anything in the world except their own problems. They feel that if you are not seen or can’t see that is a sign that you are pure.
ReplyDeleteAislee Audrey Berenice Nieves
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What themes are present thus far?
The these presented thus far happens to be power. Power is a big theme through the book due to the fact that Handmaids are used to make kids with men when their wives cannot. In this book, women are classified and belittled to nothing in comparison to the men. Women are used for baby making and even carry the name of the man they are having kids with, "Ofglen" and "Offred". The value of women in this book means absolutely nothing, "And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her" (Genesis 30:1-3). This shows how woman were basically treated and used to satisfy needs of those who really needed their needs to be satisfied. Also the identity of these women are being taken away. Not only do they have to change what they do but they have to change what they wear depending on what social class they are in, "Then I think: I used to dress like that. That was freedom" (28). This shows how women's power is being taken away by their identity being taken away. If they cannot be or dress like who they really are because of a theocracy then that is a large lost in power for them and thats what happened to the value of women throughout this book.
Michelle Veliz
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What themes are present thus far?
One theme that is present so far is loss of individualism. Throughout the book, women like Oflglen and main character Offred have gone through so many changes in the book. By Offred having flashbacks about her old life are able to see how women were independent and now they let people become superior over them. In one particular flashback, Offred mentions how she “had a paper due the next day” (37) Before Gilead became a theocracy woman had freedom and belonged to society. Since Offred was writing a paper, it can be inferred she went to school like normal people from society go to and was completing her normal daily routine. Offred even had a husband named Luke who she loved every much. However, in the present Offred’s life has changed completely. In the present setting, women have lost their individuality by having them ranked into social classes and having limited power. Even women had to become handmaids, servants or wives. For the handmaids they were forbidden to have coffee and liquor (14). This shows how they were oppressed and not allowed to develop into a unique lifestyle or gain new experiences into their life. To make matters worse, “Guardians of Faith were used for policing and other menial functions” (20). From this scene, it women were always been watched and not allowed to express themselves. Once again, the Gilead society had found numerous ways to have them limited to such great opportunities. Women will soon start to lose insight in who they once were because they have dedicated their lives to the “Commander” and his wife.