My thoughts on "The Handmaid's Tale"

“The Handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood, immerses the reader into a society where women are objectified into the simplest forms of the stereotypical roles of women and are trapped in a meaningless existence. Told from the point of view of handmaid, Offred, the novel offers a glimpse into what would happen if a society as a whole relinquished their rights and freedoms. 

The concept behind the novel is similar to the reality that many people around the world live in today. Right here in America, there are isolated societies that strongly resemble the novel. For this reason, I believe that Atwood wrote the novel as a warning of sorts to show that the harsh conditions that Offred and the other characters face could become a reality in our own society if we follow stereotypes and take our freedoms for granted. Especially because there are already societies all around us that have very similar ideals as the novel. For example, the Morman extremists in Utah who believe in polygamy have a society very similar to the one in the novel in which women, starting at young ages, are married to older men to procreate. The Amish society is also similar to the novel because it is an isolated society, like Gilead. Also, when the Japanese tourists visit the society, it is very similar to how people act in our society when they visit an Amish community. Atwood gives Gilead many similarities to societies within our country to show that when people allow their rights to be taken away it will lead to unhappiness for all, and that if societies right next to us can be so similar to the extremes of Gilead, then our community could be next. 

My favorite quote from the novel occurs when Offred and the Commander are at Jezebel’s and they go into the hotel- like room and Offred goes into the bathroom. “ I breathe in the soap smell, the disinfectant smell, and stand in the white bathroom, listening to the distant sounds of water running, toilets being flushed. In a strange way I feel comforted, at home. There is something reassuring about the toilets. Bodily functions at least remain democratic. Everybody shits, as Moira would say” (Atwood 251-252). I love the bluntness of this quote and the complete truth in it. Even in our society it can be applied; everyone is equal when it comes right down to it, because we are all humans with the same basic needs. Everyone has to eat, sleep, and use the bathroom. A world leader has to just as much as a homeless person. A dictator has the same needs as those he oppresses. The quote expresses how even in a society where all personal freedoms are restricted, there is still equality in the fundamental human needs. The fact that Offred can be comforted by a clean bathroom and reassured by a toilet is statement in itself. It demonstrates how much has been taken away from her and also how much we take for granted. Everyone expects certain things in life, and a relatively clean bathroom with a toilet to use is one of them. Offred feeling more at home in a white bathroom (bathrooms are cold and not for comfort) than she does in her bedroom at the Commander’s house where she is supposed to feel “at home” shows the lack of comfort in her life. She is more comforted by toilets than the Commander or anyone/anything else at his house. 

In general, I enjoyed this work. Atwood was not afraid to write about sensitive subject matter to portray her point about society. Many authors solely use symbolism and allusions to make a social or political point, however, Atwood’s use of graphic scenes allowed for a stronger social commentary about our society’s views on gender roles to be made. In some cases I do not think she went far enough. For example, the end of the novel was disappointing because it left too much to the imagination. The novel would have had a better lasting impact if the end had been more definite. For instance if Offred was killed at a salvaging after being discovered for her relationship with the Commander, I would have received a stronger feeling about how harsh and unjust this society is. By having her possible escape and leaving the ending so open, the end affects of the novel gave the impression that it is possible to escape from a authoritarian society, when in many real world cases it is not (look at how few people have made it out of North Korea alive). Other than the ending, I felt the novel was very well written. I do not think that it was too graphic or gave too many details, and it kept me wanting to turn the page rather than putting me to sleep like many books have in the past.