My opinion on this novel was that I only enjoyed the plot of the novel. I did not enjoy the writing style, as I found it confusing and hard to understand.
First of all, many ellipses end sentences leaving too much to wonder. He rarely finishes a sentence, so I never knew what is going on in his head. I also hated the fact that nothing was resolved fully at the end. I was dissatisfied with the fact that D-503 lost his emotions and therefore did not care about I-330 anymore.
However, I did like the idea of the plot. I thought it was very interesting, and fun to see how extreme a society will go for complete equality.
Friday, November 11, 2011
symbol analysis
We is based on a dystopian society. They are controlled by the Benefactor, and live in the city of OneState.
We is symbolic because it partially alludes to the Bible. OneState is described as Paradise, and D-503 is Adam and I-330 is Eve. I also feel that the Benefactor can be alluded to the Devil, because he has full control over all citizens. I-330 alludes to Eve because of her rebellious actions. Like Eve, she proves she is a strong, willful woman. D-503 alludes to Adam because he follows the rules. OneState alludes to the idea of Paradise because the citizens have everything they could ever need, such as Adam and Eve, yet lack happiness.
We is symbolic because it partially alludes to the Bible. OneState is described as Paradise, and D-503 is Adam and I-330 is Eve. I also feel that the Benefactor can be alluded to the Devil, because he has full control over all citizens. I-330 alludes to Eve because of her rebellious actions. Like Eve, she proves she is a strong, willful woman. D-503 alludes to Adam because he follows the rules. OneState alludes to the idea of Paradise because the citizens have everything they could ever need, such as Adam and Eve, yet lack happiness.
we- passage analysis
“Her smile was a bite, and I was its target.”
This is my favorite line because it is showing that D-503 is transforming from his mathematical state to his human, emotional state. He is showing that he is fond of her smile. He has no control over himself and his emotions when it comes to her. Slowly D-503 is becoming obsessed with her, and intrigued by her seducing. This line is what leads D-503 to begin his rebelling of OneState with her.
This is my favorite line because it is showing that D-503 is transforming from his mathematical state to his human, emotional state. He is showing that he is fond of her smile. He has no control over himself and his emotions when it comes to her. Slowly D-503 is becoming obsessed with her, and intrigued by her seducing. This line is what leads D-503 to begin his rebelling of OneState with her.
Opinion
I really liked this novel because it gave me a different perspective on the word freedom. Teenagers don't have as much freedom as we wish to have. However, we have more than children do. The word freedom has different meanings to people in different situations. Freedom can also be classified as freedom from, and freedom to. Freedom from, for example in America, would be freedom from dictatorship. An example of freedom to, in America, is freedom to vote. However, freedom to vote is differs in age. Teenagers can't, and adults can. In Gilead, the same ideas of freedom are portrayed. The Handmaid's have freedom from heartbreak and loneliness, however they do not have freedom to choose a partner. They have freedom to reproduce, except they do not have freedom from choosing the father.
The Handmaid's Tale opened my eyes to different freedoms and how those freedoms are given and taken throughout different society's and different ages.
The Handmaid's Tale opened my eyes to different freedoms and how those freedoms are given and taken throughout different society's and different ages.
passage analysis
"We smile too, we are one smile, tears run down our cheeks, we are so happy." (Atwood 126)
This quote shows that individuality of women in Gilead is stripped. Instead of the use of the word "I", the word "we" is used. The use of "we" shows that no one differs from the other; they share the same life, emotions, and feelings. Their individual emotions are taken from them when they are assigned Commanders, who use their bodies solely for fertility. The women all wear the same dresses, which symbolizes not only fertility but also previous sins. It is a constant reminder that they have no individualism and are being punished each day for their sinning. The handmaid's are also assigned a name, which is the possesive word "of" followed by the first name of their assigned Commander. This also shows the lack of individuality and human expression in Gilead.
This quote shows that individuality of women in Gilead is stripped. Instead of the use of the word "I", the word "we" is used. The use of "we" shows that no one differs from the other; they share the same life, emotions, and feelings. Their individual emotions are taken from them when they are assigned Commanders, who use their bodies solely for fertility. The women all wear the same dresses, which symbolizes not only fertility but also previous sins. It is a constant reminder that they have no individualism and are being punished each day for their sinning. The handmaid's are also assigned a name, which is the possesive word "of" followed by the first name of their assigned Commander. This also shows the lack of individuality and human expression in Gilead.
Symbol analysis
In The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood uses allusions, especially Biblical allusions, to portray how corrupt the city of Gilead is. Ofglen is another handmaid, Offred's friend. She strongly apposes the ways of society, and silently rebels, and eventually gets discovered. Because the guards knew she held the secrets, they were after her. The way Ofglen reacts alludes to the Biblical scene when Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross to save everyone. Ofglen, by hanging herself, saved the rest of the handmaid's from the torture and suffering they'd endure, such as those in Jesus' time. By using Biblical allusions, Atwood creates satire throughout the novel. Gilead considers themselves to be a strong, faithful society. However, it is apparent that it is in truth not a society of faith at all. Instead, the entire society is solely political. It shows that woman are just used for their bodies, and their fertility. If they remain agreeable, they will be allowed to live their lifeless life. However, if they disobey such as Ofglen did, they will face dire consequences that will be shared with others who wear the same dress as her.
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