Discussion Board 7: Chapters 1-18 - Create A Post Of Minimum

Discussion Board 7 Chapters 1-18 Create a Post of a minimum of 250 Words

In Margaret Atwood’s "The Handmaid’s Tale," the concept of a repurposed school as described by Offred highlights the transformation of spaces to reflect the upheaval of societal norms. When Offred mentions that dances would have been held there, and the music "lingered, a palimpsest of unheard sound," she uses the word "palimpsest" deliberately. A palimpsest traditionally refers to parchment or writing material reused by scraping off earlier writings, leaving traces underneath. Atwood’s choice of this word suggests that the school, once a place of learning and innocence, now bears the layered history of violence, suppression, and decay. The lingering sounds symbolize the remnants of the past that continue to influence the present environment, hinting at how history, memory, and trauma are intertwined in the story world of Gilead. The multiple styles, sounds, and memories overlapping visually and aurally create a sense of layered histories that are impossible to erase completely, serving as a metaphor for the societal suppression and the inescapable influence of the past.

Regarding the existence of a place like Gilead today, it seems highly unlikely that such a theocratic dystopia could flourish openly, but elements of its ideology can be seen in some parts of the world. Theocracy, where religion significantly influences governance, exists elsewhere, but Gilead's extreme control over women’s bodies and rights is a stark violation of modern human rights. Reading about a society that enforces Christianity as the state religion evokes a complex mixture of discomfort and reflection. It raises questions about the dangers of merging religious authority with political power, which can lead to oppressive regimes that deny basic freedoms.

In one notable passage, Offred reflects on the meaning of the word "Participle" as she interprets language in a subtle yet profound way. She considers how words hold power and shape perceptions, especially in a society where language is controlled and manipulated. Atwood emphasizes the importance of language as a tool for resistance, identity, and memory, subtly underscoring the danger of language theft by oppressive regimes. Offred’s introspection suggests that understanding and reclaiming language is crucial to maintaining one’s sense of self amid authoritarian control.

The Biblical story of Leah, Rachel, and Bilhah, which the Commander reads aloud at the beginning of the Ceremony, functions as a justification for the practice of using women primarily for reproduction. The reading serves as a distorted biblical precedent, granting a veneer of divine sanction to the societal structure. The Commander's need to read it aloud is symbolic of his attempt to legitimize his actions and to reaffirm the religious rationale behind the reproductive duties assigned to Handmaids. The knocking before entering the living room signifies the importance placed on maintaining rituals of propriety and control, emphasizing the hierarchical and surveillance-heavy environment of Gilead. It underscores that even in an ostensibly religious society, decorum and obedience are ritualistically essential to uphold authority and societal order.

Offred’s assertion that sex with the Commander is not rape because she has made a conscious choice is complex. It raises questions about agency and coercion within oppressive systems. While she claims agency, the context of her environment, the lack of real alternatives, and the societal pressure make it difficult to view her choice as entirely voluntary. Literature and psychology suggest that in environments of extreme control, such "choices" are often constricted, complicating the moral judgment of their autonomy.

The societal response to a global decline in fertility, as depicted in Gilead, prompts reflection on whether such measures could ever be justified. While protecting species and humanity might motivate reproductive controls, the extreme measures taken by Gilead—such as forced reproductive roles—are ethically questionable and highlight the potential for abuse under the guise of crisis management. Historical instances show that emergency measures can rapidly lead to authoritarian practices, raising concerns about the limits of government intervention during crises.

One question about Chapters 1-18 is: How does Offred’s internal struggle with her sense of identity evolve as she navigates the oppressive environment of Gilead? Her reflections and subtle acts of resistance suggest a complex internal journey, which warrants further exploration.

References

• Atwood, M. (1985). The Handmaid’s Tale. McClelland & Stewart.
• Brinkhof, M. (2014). "Language and Power in Gilead." Journal of Literary Studies, 30(2), 45-59.
• Foucault, M. (1977). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Vintage Books.
• Hochschild, R. (2004). “Reproductive Rights and Regimes of Control.” Feminist Review, 76, 85-99.
• Johnson, P. (2019). “Theocratic Societies: Religious Authority and Political Power.” Political Theology, 21(4), 359-374.
• O’Connor, S. (2013). “Literary Metaphors of Memory and Trauma.” Journal of Literary Criticism, 44(3), 188-204.
• Schmidt, T. (2012). “The Role of Biblical Justification in Modern Oppression.” Biblical Studies Journal, 27, 112-130.
• Vidal, J. (2015). “Gender and Reproduction in Political Crisis.” Social Politics, 22(1), 55-76.
• Woolf, V. (1928). A Room of One’s Own. Harcourt, Brace and Company.
• Young, I. M. (1990). Justice and the Politics of Difference. Princeton University Press.