Theme Of Satire In The Handmaids Tale - 1649 Words

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a dystopic satire in which present tendencies are carried out to their intensely unpleasant culmination. In the novel, the protagonist and narrator, Offred, originally lived an ordinary life in America until an oppressive, patriarchal theocracy governed by Christian fundamentalists—a group of extremists, applying a strict adherence to Christian doctrine to all facets of society—took over. Due to the increase in toxic pollution and radiation, there is widespread sterility. As a result, Offred and a select number of women, Handmaids, who are fertile have the sole responsibility to produce children. Through the use of satire, Atwood criticizes and exposes the entirety of the society. Satire is the†¦show more content†¦Atwood forges a character, Serena Joy, who shares the same views as Schlafly to mock and criticize women who wanted to suppress themselves. Through the use of religion to objectify and subjugate women, Atwood depicts and critiques the dangers of Jerry Falwell’s misogyny, presenting an exaggeration of Christian Fundamentalism. In Gilead, the oppression of women is second nature; as Offred thinks whether she can be physically hit, she says â€Å"They can hit us, there’s Scriptural precedent. But not with any implement. Only with their hands. (16)†. Atwood highlights Gilead’s manipulation of religion to hold power over the subjects. Although there is no explicit Biblical evidence stated here, the legitimacy of the Bible to subjugate women is effective because subjects like Offred do not question the Scriptural precedent. In the larger picture, it is satirical that Gilead is able to use the Bible to brainwash individuals. Atwood utilizes humour through the language because women cannot be hit with an implement but can be hit by hands. Yet, both means of physical punishment have the same result. Wh ile Offred is at the Red Center, she says a prayer before lunch: â€Å"Blessed be the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed be the meek. Blessed are the silent. I knew they made that up, I knew it was wrong, and the things they left out, too, but there was no way of checking.†Show MoreRelatedA Different Aspects Of Progress1040 Words   |  5 PagesDifferent Aspects of Progress The aversion to progress has been apparent through the history of mankind. Through the clever use of satire, three authors each from a different period and unique graphic locations, expose issues related to man’s reluctance to progress. Aristophanes, Hughes and Atwood vary in their respective abilities to change their audience’s minds about the significant issues of their time periods. In the Langston Hughes’ story â€Å"Slave on the Block†, the Carraway family members doRead More Feminism In The Handmaids Tale Essay1588 Words   |  7 PagesFeminism In The Handmaids Tale      Ã‚  Ã‚   Feminism as we know it began in the mid 1960s as the Womens Liberation Movement. Among its chief tenants is the idea of womens empowerment, the idea that women are capable of doing and should be allowed to do anything men can do. Feminists believe that neither sex is naturally superior. They stand behind the idea that women are inherently just as strong and intelligent as the so-called stronger sex. Many writers have taken up the cause of feminismRead MoreThe Satire of Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale Essay example497 Words   |  2 PagesThe Handmaids Tale has been described as a scathing satire and a dire warning! Which elements of our own society is Margaret atwood satirising and how does her satire work ? Atwood tries to open our eyes by satirising our society with a brilliant contrasting novel. Dystopian in every way, the reader encounters a world in which modern values of our society seem/ are replaceable. Showing the worst of all possible outcomes, she demonstrates that our primarily heartless, just economical thinkingRead MoreExplore the Narrative Techniques Used by Atwood to Portray the Inner Life of Offered in ‘the Handmaids Tale.2023 Words   |  9 PagesThe narrative style and structure of ‘The Handmaids Tale is something very unique to the novel. Atwood has used a complex structure of four different time scales; the most prominent is the first person present tense, where she is a member of the Gilead community and living in the Commanders house: Nothing takes place in bed but sleep; or no sleep. I try not to think too much. Like other things, thought must be rationedÂ…I intend to last. This narrative allows experiences to be filtered through