This section of reading has definitely enlightened a few
previous questions and concerns; however, wholly, I feel as though it has
raised many more issues and inquiries. I think that there is one centralized,
major theme throughout the story – which we’ve already discussed – that has
become even more overt within these past few chapters: the suppression,
repression and oppression of women. I think that this has become further
emphasized through the nomenclature system used within the story. When we here
about Janine’s birth in chapter 19, we learn that she has now been given the
name “Ofwarren”. However, in the following chapter, we learn that her
commander’s wife is also referred to as “the wife of Warren”. Linking these two
pieces of information together, and subsequently discovering that handmaid’s
are referred to as “Of (commander’s name)” entirely highlights the suppressive
tendencies of society within the novel. Though I think this naming trend may
have been hinter towards – if not clearly mentioned – previously within the
novel, this section seemed to emphasize it more clearly, by following such a
revelation with an immediate exemplification of inequalities displayed through
the Wives’ reactions following the birth. Overall, though, most of my questions
during the reading focused upon the societal inequalities, yet again.
One thing that I found interesting within this section of
reading was the role of fantasies and dreams within the novel. I considered
these to be somewhat of a salvation from society – for instance, the narrator
began to cry following the realization that the dream of her future child was
solely a dream. This, in my opinion, indicated a sudden recognition of the faults
of society within the given context, which resulted in the narrator’s inability
to control her emotions. What does everyone think about the role of dreams –
both good and bad – throughout the novel?
Secondly, I thought we should discuss chapters 23 and 24 in
more detail, for these two sparked the most interest and subsequent questions during
my reading. Overall, I found the commander’s action within chapter 23 to be
quite out of character (though, to be fair, we haven’t seen much of his character;
more so, I’m drawing conclusions based on the societal standards displayed thus
far within the novel). By inviting his handmaid to play Scrabble with him and,
thereby, disobeying the laws regarding women’s rights to read, could prove to
be a pivotal moment within the entirety of the novel. What could be the
Commander’s true intentions? Does he, possibly, consider his handmaid to be a
companion rather than a subhuman creature – as society has dictated?
Regarding chapter 24, I was most curious as to why the
author chose to segregate the chapter as its own, distinct, section of the
book. How was the section title – “Night”
– reflected within the chapter, other than the temporal period during
which the plot took place? Are there any ambiguous meanings to the word night
that may have been reflected or emphasized within this chapter, in your
opinion? Furthermore, why do you think the author chose to segregate this
chapter – which, superficially, did not appear to be of the utmost significance
in regards to overall development of the novel?
Are there any other questions that developed as you all read
through this week’s section?
I think that the good dreams can be a hope or a memory of what she wants life to be like, and the bad ones are recognition of the faults of society. She dreams of doing the same thing to Cora that Moira had done to the Aunt. She wants to use that as a way out to go find Luke and be freed from the world that she lives in. The dream where she realized that she realized her future daughter was soley a dream was a bad one. She realized that there was no hope for a future daughter and this crushed her. This shows a fault in society when a mother can no longer have hope for her unborn daughter.
ReplyDeleteI found it rather strange when the Commander invited the handmaid to play scrabble with him, and also when he asked her for a kiss. At first, I thought that he had an ulterior motive, and that he was suspecting his handmaid of doing things against the law, and was determined to find out so he could turn her in. As the reading went on and he asked her for a kiss, it became apparent that this wasn’t his goal. Assuming that the Commander and handmaid are close in age, and knowing that the handmaid remembers life before all of this happened, the Commander could have been trying to communicate with her in a normal way, and he may have been trying to take her on a “date” with the strict rules that he must follow. If it is a date, I wonder how their relationship will progress in the future.
I have been noticing throughout the book that it has been sectioned up according to time of day, but never thought about any significance behind it. I think that what most people think about when they see the word night is darkness, and this chapter could reflect the darkness that she is feeling. Although she has seen a new side of the Commander, she still has emptiness inside. At the beginning of the chapter, she has to remind herself who she is and what she looks like, and also realizes that everything has changed for her because of what the Commander did. She was supposed to have one more chance in that house, but she knows nothing will ever be the same again. At the end of the chapter, as she is holding in her laughter, she practices the breathing exercises that they use for giving birth. This darkness, this emptiness, inside of her could be her desire for a child so that she can stay put.
You definitely brought up a lot of interesting points, Meghan! I agree with your interpretation of the dream-like occurrences within the novel. I especially like how you connected the dream regarding Moira and Aunt Elizabeth, because I had not considered it when I posed the question (I was focusing more upon her previous fantasies of Luke and the one about playing with her future child). By connecting this point, I think you touched upon an interesting juxtaposition that Atwood creates using the different stylistic scenarios and interpretations regarding the dreams. I also like how you related the incident between the Commander and the narrator to a modernized "date" of some sort. I, personally, considered this encounter to be too awkward for a date, though I can see how it is easily interpreted as one within the societal contextual constraints of the novel. I think that the Commander could possibly have another motive; possibly, he could be trying to frame or prove the guilt of his handmaid. I think that I feel this way, mainly, because I am connecting him to Mr. Charrington in 1984. Overall, though, I think that the handmaid's reaction - the sporadic laughter - at the end of chapter 24 seemed out of place, in a sense. Did anyone else feel this way? I understand that it is most likely a coping mechanism, though it truly seemed creepy, in my opinion.
DeleteI agree that the laughter was creepy. It seemed out of place and I still don't understand entirely why she was laughing. I guess that it could have been about her entire situation, and how strange it is compared to her past life. She could be laughing at how much has changed, whether it be a positive or negative change.
DeleteThat's a really good point. I hadn't considered the laughter to be indicative of her views regarding the past changes. I thought that the laughter may represent a form of rebellion. Laughter may seem like an everyday occurrence to us, however, in the context of the novel, the laughter could represent rebelling against the dictatorship controlling society. Furthermore, the laughter could also represent a minute form of personality - which society has, unto this point, voided from the land. By laughing, the narrator is displaying her sense of humor, and therefore demonstrates a facet of her life that differs from the typified "handmaid mold" that society has forged.
DeleteI actually like both of your ideas on laughter, Tyler and Meghan. The laughter could be a reflection on her new life and situation, or it could also be rebellion. Overall, I think the stress and pressures for this way of life may result in our handmaid continuously acting out in ways that don't make sense or seem fit.
DeleteThat's a really good point, Kristen. The handmaid's laughter could be reflective of the societal stress and pressure to which she is constantly subjected. In such a society, where women are expected to fit a certain definition of perfect, there are infinite external influences that could seemingly drive individuals towards lunacy as they attempt to achieve impossible standards set for them.
DeleteI like your ideas about the laughter, Tyler. I took it as she just didn't know how to react because that's what I personally do, but I like the idea that it could be a brief display of her personality. Throughout the book, you never really see her laugh or smile or talk about being happy in the present moment. Her only happy moments seem to be when she reminisces about the past.
DeleteI agree with your view on her dream-like occurances and felt as though they were a way to keep her hopefull in such a hopless situation, this form of reminiscing of the past will help keep her sane. Her bad dreams to me were like slaps to the face, doses of reality because she is no where near able to have those good dreams.
DeleteThose were all very good points made about the handmaids becoming overcome with laughter after her visit with the commander. It was extremely out of character for The Commander to ask her almost on something like a "date". I feel that he is extremely lonely because every human being likes the companionship and effection of anohter person, and even misses the old ways as well where that kind of interaction could be public and not forbidden. The handmaids laughter I think was a coping mechanism from the fear she had at first and had to release the pressure that had built up.
Hi guys, I think you all made really good points. Overall I think the laughter was just a physical representation of her inability to handle all of the change, stress, and oppression placed on her.
DeleteI think you all had really excellent perspectives involving each of the different facets of this discussion. Particularly, I thought it was interesting how Alexa had mentioned the dreams representing aspects of hope in a dreary world while simultaneously acting as punctuated senses of reality, because I never would have interpreted them in such a way.
DeleteI also have a question. Why do you think the narrator kept referring to things as a "reconstruction?"
ReplyDeleteI, too, noticed the reoccurrence of the word "reconstruction", though I had not considered its significance to the entirety of the novel. Possibly, this could be used as means of expressing an overall change with an ambiguous outcome (i.e. the reader can decide whether things were "reconstructed" towards beneficial or harmful outcomes). Also, it could reflect the Reconstruction Era of American history following the Civil War, and be indicative of the society's past, present, and future states within the novel. What are other people's ideas?
DeleteGood connection with American history Tyler! I didn't think to relate this idea of reconstruction to that period, but I like your thinking! My opinion on the repetitive use of "reconstruction" is mostly concerned with the flaws of society and the cues our handmaid have us of the past. She recalled a time filled with pollution and explosions which may have left many women infertile. In a way, this picture makes me think of what could happen to America at any time. Our environment, as a result of our acts, could collapse and force a new way of life upon us. The society that is now present tries to enforce the changes as "reconstruction" following such a distructive period.
DeleteI like how you connected multiple scenarios and scenes within the novel in order to formulate and give a possible explanation for the repetitive use of "reconstruction", Kristen! I think that you provided a really analytical point that I hadn't considered; I never thought America to be in a period of reconstruction, currently. Now, though, I can see minute indications of periods of change within society that hint at characteristics of reconstruction.
DeleteI also think that your tie to history was great, Tyler! In that context, maybe this "reconstruction" is her hopes of going back to normal after a period of failed change, just as how the Reconstruction Era eventually ended. I also think that she could mean "reconstruction" in the sense of she is re-making her own destiny by writing her life out in her head, giving her some kind of sense of power in her life. I also think that your point about how what happened in the near past of the book could happen in America, Kristen, was really spot on. It's a scary thought, but definitely something that could be a real possibility. Do you guys think that these kinds of connections were intentionally laid out by Atwood as a kind of warning to the world and our real-life society?
DeleteI like how you connected the idea of reconstruction and its multitudes of interpretations to destiny and power, Cassidy. Going with this, I think that Atwood could be displaying a need for individuals to control their futures through direct, rather than indirect, mediums. For example, she could warn of possible totalitarian regimes controlling the government and instructing individuals to play direct roles in subsequent attempts to intervene and destroy such governmental tendencies.
DeleteMeghan, I agree with many of your ideas and points about this section of reading! My personal opinion of the flashbacks relates to the point that our handmaid made about hope. She hoped many things about where like was now and she wondered if he had any hope left. I believe that her flashbacks are used as a way for he to hold on to the past for they are the only way for her to remember Luke, as his memories fade. The namin of the woman as "of (commander's name)" was a point I never realized, but it angered me. Again, this novel does an excellent job at making women appear worthless as they lack any kind of identity and merely share one with their "owners".
ReplyDeleteI agree that naming the woman this way is aggravating. It makes them seem more like a piece of property belonging to the Commander, and they can do whatever because it belongs to them. This relates back to our last discussion, how it may appear that the society was made to keep women safe from the impulses of men, and this negates that point because they now belong to men.
DeleteI think it's an interesting point how you connected the nomenclature system within the novel to a sharing of identities, Kristen! I had connected it to stripping away individuals' identities but hadn't recognized how it could be used as means of sharing an identity among multiple people. Overall, I think that sharing an identity among multiple individuals could serve to depersonalize society more so than eliminating identities as a whole, in a sense. Regarding the naming, I also noticed how the narrator referred to Ofwarren as Janine during her explanation of this society's birthing process. What do you think this could be indicative of? I think that, possibly, this could show how the handmaids long for the seemingly forgotten past, personally.
DeleteI agree, Tyler, that this could be a longing for the past. I also think that it could be them refusing to accept the present. Relating back to our last discussion, when she refused to refer to it as "my room," this could be one of their only forms of rebellion without getting caught.
DeleteI like your connection of using "ofwarren's" old name as a revelation towards the past. I think that is correct, but it may also link to our handmaid's innate desire for rebellion. We have witnessed her past actions to flee the country, and have seen her illegal thoughts in action, and I believe that referring to this woman as Janine, was a way to relive that again. I feel as though our handmaid puts on this act much better than other women and refuses to accept new societal terms. Our handmaid doesn't even feel comfortable in "her" room or revealing her past name to her audience. I think by referring to this woman as "Janine", a figure from the past, she is being more rebellious than allowed. However, she is smart enough to keep her rebellious thoughts to herself.
DeleteI agree with Kristen's ides that the naming of the women in the novel shows how they are treated like property instead of actual people. Even the wives in the story don't have a separate identity from their husbands. By not giving them their ow individual name, the author, in a way, is striping them of their identities. All the women in the novel are treated like property of men no matter what their social standing may be. The naming system in the novel definitely reflects how women were treated like property.
DeleteThis may seem random, but what does everyone think would be the definition of "perfection" within this society? I had posted about striving for ideal qualities in a previous comment and it made me curious as to what everyone interprets social perfection as thus far within the novel.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kristen that is the be able to give birth to a child. I think they are also expected to keep their men happy and do as their told. The perfect woman in their society does not have voice and remains quiet. I also agree with what Meghan was saying about the household as a whole. Every woman has a different job within the household that they must meet standards for to be considered as "perfect".
DeleteI think society at this point strives for perfect women. Their idea of perfection is superficial and only includes bearing perfect children. Society strives for the "perfect" woman which to us, would be any woman capable of having a baby. This society has such low birth numbers that to me, their idea of perfection seems simplistic in striving for new life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kristen that perfection for he handmaids it the capability of having a baby. I also think that it goes farther than that. The whole household needs to be in line for there to be perfection. This means that the Commander is doing his job, following the rules, and reporting when people are not. The Wives should not be jealous of the handmaid, and they should raise a perfect child once they are given one. The Marthas should be cooking the meals and taking care of the house. Everyone needs to be doing exactly what they are supposed to and nothing illegal in order for it to be perfect.
DeleteI agree with what both Kristen and Meghan said. Going off more on what Meghan said about the household being in line for there to be perfection, I think that is exactly it. Perfection is not a single person, it is the combination of all of the women and their unity. I think that this society looks for the perfect woman, but believing that to be impossible they strive to divide the essence of a woman into pieces, leaving the Wife, the Marthas, and the Handmaid. Each of these women are expected to perform their own individual duties to the highest extent that they can, and work together as one. Only then can they become the "perfect" woman together, and achieve the level of perfection that this new society is striving for.
DeleteI like how, collectively, we were able to define perfection at various levels: the individual, the household, and the society. I think that this definitely says a lot about Atwood's intentions regarding the standards set within the novel, meaning that she organized a sort of cast system that, ultimately, convenes into unity. I think it's also really interesting how you connected your point to the idea that society in the novel is collective, rather than individualized, Cassidy. I wholly think that this is a reoccurring theme that we should look out for, since I doubt we have seen the last of it.
DeleteThats a really good point about how they strive for perfection! Due to the fact our society today is so much more liberal that the new society in the story, it seemed so unperfect to me when infact these women have to be perfect and produce healthy babies. It is very true that the entire household needs to be in order for the family to recieve ultimate pride if a perfect baby should be born. However it is so crucial for that to happen for the handmaids because otherwise their reputations are trashed and they are labeled as Unwomen and sent to the colonies.
DeleteI had not noticed how the names of the Handmaid's were "Of + Commander's name". Although I didn't notice it before, I think it is very significant and important to point out. It really conveys the message that the Handmaid's are viewed as nothing more than the property of the Commander, a tool used for breeding. It strips the Handmaid's of their identity's and of their humanity in an almost repulsive way.
ReplyDeleteI, too, believe that dreams in the novel serve as a kind of salvation; a salvation from the narrator's reality. The dreams, whether they seem to be good or bad, each serve their own individual purposes. Some of the dreams serve as a source of hope for Offred as she tries to imagine ways to leave the place she is in, whether it is in actuality or in her mind. Some of the other dreams like that seem to be bad though, like the dream of her daughter in which she knows it is not real, are not purely just bad dreams for the narrator. I believe that they are intentional, a way for her to remember what was and what she has lost, and therefore as motivation to keep fighting against the oppressive society around her and not give up hope of finding the ones she loved.
I also found the Commander's actions to be very interesting, and possibly a turning point in the novel. I agree with you Tyler that the actions seemed to be out of character, but as you also said, we don't actually know what his character is. It seems to me that throughout the story, from what little glimpses we have seen of the Commander, he seems different and distant. He doesn't seem to fully approve of the society he is in in the way that he avoids the rest of the household, is late to the Ceremony, and seems even bored throughout it. I think these could be little insights to how the Commander is also unsatisfied with the new society that they are living in. I believe that the Commander might be able to see the similar rebellious thoughts inside of Offred, although she tries to keep them to herself. By creating this new bond between them, where they are both committing crimes together, he is reaching out to her as a person, showing her that he sees her as more than a device to breed and showing her that he is equally repulsed by their new reality.
I believe that the author has chosen to segregate the book into sections that Offred herself would be segregating the events in her life. Her life is very simple, marked by mundane events that happen often, occasionally interrupted by something dreadful, like the Ceremony, or exciting, like Birth Day. Night it it's own time for Offred because she is alone and can only think, which can sometimes cause her trouble for herself. I think that "Night" could also refer to secrets, such as the secret relationship she now has with the Commander, and the laughter that she must keep secret in fear of being punished possibly by death.
I like the point that you made about the Commander's actions. It could seem like, because they are both having these rebellious ideas, he is trying to connect with her on a more personal level, and therefore treating her more like an equal. They could be forming a relationship similar to the one in 1984, and they could be planning to rebel and free themselves from the society that they live in.
DeleteHi Meghan, I really liked how you connected the narrator and commanders relationship with that of Winston and Julia's in 1984. It's definitely possible that the two of them will plan a coup d'etat of their current style of living.
DeleteI think the way in which you interpreted the act of communion between the Commander and the handmaid was really interesting, Cassidy. I, previously, had thought of this scene as a simultaneous act of communion and rebellion at a societal level, but I had never considered it on a personal level as you had. I think that this scene definitely shows a way in which the Commander could be reaching out in order to show a personalized salvation to Offred - one in which she doesn't need to be afraid of the strict and barbaric guidelines that the government has set before them.
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ReplyDeleteI had mixed feelings about the scene directly after Janine gives birth, and the baby gets handed over to the Wife, and everyone is congratulating her like she was the one that just had a baby. It was later mentioned that Janine would be relocated, never to see the baby again. What did you think of this?
DeleteI think that this further emphasizes the depersonalization that is seemingly coveted within the society. Its almost as if certain sects of people - for instance, the Handmaids and the Marthas - are shunned from revealing their individuality to anyone, including their own children. Therefore, society takes away their children and ships these women off as, essentially, breeding tools.
DeleteI think that dreams play a huge role in the novel. They serve as a source of escape for the handmaidens. For example, the narrator often dreams of her past, which is so surreal to her current predicament that it feels like it never really happened. The past acts as a reminder that things were once better and gives the hope that they will get better again.
ReplyDeleteI think the commander views his handmaiden as a person capable of making her own decisions. He sees and treats her as though the coup hasn’t happened. I think it’s still too early to tell what his underlying intentions are. For now, I think he is just seeking for someone to be to actually live with without the strict oppressive rules in place.
I think the title ‘night’ serves to emphasize the hopelessness the narrator feels with her situation. From what I can gather if she doesn’t have a child then she will be killed. On top of this she is desperately missing her daughter and Luke whom she may or may not have been married to.
I like how you mentioned the handmaid's dreams of the past, Alison. I found it interesting how the author was able to convey so many different temporal facets through dreams; for instance, she dreamt of her past with Luke but also of her future possibilities with a child.
DeleteLike everyone else, I think the author used the title Night to show that she feels lonely. Often times, people say that everything feels and gets worse at night because you have so much time to think and reflect. I think it serves as a way to show that she has lots of time to think and reflect which causes her to feel very depressed and alone. Maybe the author isolates this chapter as a way to mirror the isolation and loneliness she feels in the novel.
ReplyDeleteI never paid too much attention to the dreams until Tyler pointed that out. It's a very interesting point that I wish I paid closer attention to before. I think as I continue to read the next section next week, I will pay closer attention to that and talk about what I think of the dream aspect in the next post.
I definitely think that the author could've isolated this chapter in order to reflect the isolation and loneliness that the narrator felt throughout this chapter within the novel. Following such an intimate encounter with the Commander, it would make sense that the handmaid currently feels very lonely. I never thought of understanding structural elements of this nature in terms of reflecting the overall characteristics and emotions of the protagonist; awesome job, Kristen!
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