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    The document is a reading log from a student who is reading the novel "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood. In the first section, the student describes their initial impressions of the dystopian society depicted in the novel. They note the strict social hierarchy and lack of freedoms for characters like Handmaids. In the second section, the student profiles the main character Offred and some of the other characters she has encountered so far like the Commander. In the third section, the student describes the harsh and oppressive setting of Gilead where Handmaids are treated as property of the state. In the fourth section, the student analyzes the external and internal conflicts in the novel, including Offred

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    The document is a reading log from a student who is reading the novel "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood. In the first section, the student describes their initial impressions of the dystopian society depicted in the novel. They note the strict social hierarchy and lack of freedoms for characters like Handmaids. In the second section, the student profiles the main character Offred and some of the other characters she has encountered so far like the Commander. In the third section, the student describes the harsh and oppressive setting of Gilead where Handmaids are treated as property of the state. In the fourth section, the student analyzes the external and internal conflicts in the novel, including Offred

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    11 views4 pages

    Reading Log

    Uploaded by

    suad mohammed
    The document is a reading log from a student who is reading the novel "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood. In the first section, the student describes their initial impressions of the dystopian society depicted in the novel. They note the strict social hierarchy and lack of freedoms for characters like Handmaids. In the second section, the student profiles the main character Offred and some of the other characters she has encountered so far like the Commander. In the third section, the student describes the harsh and oppressive setting of Gilead where Handmaids are treated as property of the state. In the fourth section, the student analyzes the external and internal conflicts in the novel, including Offred

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    of 4

    Home assignment 2-Reading Log

    English 6

    I chose to read the novel called “The Handmaid’s tale” by Margaret Atwood. The
    novel was published in 1985 and consists of 331 pages.

    First log (Exposition):


    When I first read the novel's title, I felt that there would be some sort of
    dictatorship practiced on a handmaid. I thought that it might be a single case. As
    soon as I read the first words " We slept in what had once been the gymnasium"
    (p. 3) I realized that it was a dystopian story and that it wasn't just a single case but
    one of many other cases. By reading further, you get to know that it is not just
    Handmaids but also Marthas, Angels, Aunts, and much more. It is thought-
    provoking with Atwood's writing style and descriptions that make it easy to
    imagine everything around you.

    In the first chapters and more precisely, in the first quarter of the novel, I got a
    deeper background of the plot. It made me feel sympathetic toward the main
    character (Offred). Melancholy prevails in the novel, and I felt pity for the
    characters living in such a controlled hierarchical society where everything follows
    strict laws.

    It is a society where law and religion are connected. Where infertility is significant,
    handmaids must bear the Commanders’ children. Handmaids are the only barriers
    to kids in case the Wives can’t provide any, and are not allowed to read, write or
    even take care of their skin and body. All they must do is provide a fruitful womb.
    The storyline has flashbacks from Offred’s past. It is unputdownable, and I am
    starving for more information. What is the reason for the change in the world?
    Who is in charge of this community “Gilead”? Why is it essential for the Handmaids
    to get pregnant? How did she end up being a Handmaid?

    Second Log (Characters):


    The narrator is the main character, that is to say (Offred). All the events are related
    based on her perspective. I haven't reached a part where Offred's past is
    completely revealed. The only things I knew are that she was married to a man
    called Luke, who at the beginning of their relationship, was getting a divorce. As
    well they had a daughter who was 5 years old when they separated. We get to
    know that her mother was 37 years old when she got pregnant with her. Her friend
    since childhood “Moira” comes to the same gymnasium after a while, but then she
    escapes, and no one knows what happened to her. A physical description is given
    of Offred, she is 33 years old, has brown hair, and is five foot seven tall. She has
    also white skin color. I felt pity for her, as well as I understood her actions and way
    of thinking, she is like a real person, has feelings, tries to control herself, and
    changes over time and experiences.

    One of the supporting (secondary) characters that I would like to talk about is The
    Commander. His name is Fred which Offred's name comes from (Of + Fred). His
    wife is Serena Joy. He has gray hair, wears a black suit, and smells of mothballs. He
    is one of the founders of Gilead, however, he also breaks many government rules,
    as also he treated the former handmaid the same way. We don’t know what he
    aimed for in his friendly behavior towards Offred or if he genuinely believes in
    Gilead’s principles. I didn’t like his character, I felt that he was taking advantage of
    handmaids and putting them in danger, without putting into consideration what
    would happen to them in case they were caught.

    Third Log (Setting):


    The story takes place in what was once Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the
    narrator and protagonist, Offred, is held captive as a handmaid.

    The setting of the novel is harsh, oppressive, and highly controlled, reflecting the
    regime's desire to maintain power and control over its citizens. The novel's
    descriptions emphasize the lack of color, the starkness of the buildings, and the
    lack of personal freedoms. It is often described in terms of what is missing rather
    than what is present. This made me feel like one of the citizens of this cruel society
    and even disgusted at the situation people are forced to live in.

    I could see the uniformed figures of the handmaids, the guards in their green and
    black uniforms, and the buildings of the government. The buildings and
    architecture are all functional and devoid of any personal touches. The sounds in
    the novel are also described in terms of their absence. The handmaids must
    remain silent and are not allowed to speak unless spoken to. The guards move
    around silently, and there is little conversation or laughter in the novel, now and
    then.

    The setting is described in great detail, providing the reader with a clear picture of
    Gilead and the world in which Offred lives. However, this description is not
    excessive or distracting, as it is essential to understanding the environment in
    which the story takes place.

    The social context of the novel is one of extreme dictatorship, where personal
    freedoms are non-existent, and women are restricted to their biological functions.
    The regime's ideology is based on the belief that women are inferior and must be
    controlled to maintain social order.

    Fourth Log (Conflicts):


    The novel is rife with conflict, in my own opinion. There are both external and
    internal conflicts that drive the plot and provide narrative tension. These conflicts
    are knitted together and serve to highlight the hierarchical society in which the
    protagonist, Offred, lives.

    External conflicts in the novel are primarily driven by Gilead’s government. The
    government's strict rules and regulations limit the freedoms of the characters and
    create a society that is highly controlled. The handmaids are forced to live in strict
    isolation and are treated as nothing more than tools for procreation. This external
    conflict is highlighted by the way that the handmaids are treated, the strict rules
    that they must follow, and the constant supervision that they are subjected to.

    Another external conflict in the novel is the resistance movement that exists
    outside of Gilead. This resistance movement is made up of individuals who are
    opposed to the oppressive regime and are fighting to overthrow it. Offred's
    husband, Luke, is likely to have been a member of this resistance, and maybe still
    is, since they were trying to escape to Canada until they caught him and Offred
    became a handmaid, and nothing about Luke is known.

    The internal conflict in the novel is primarily driven by Offred's struggle to


    maintain her identity in an environment that seeks to erase it. Offred is constantly
    struggling to reconcile her past life with her current circumstances and to hold
    onto the memories of her family and her former identity. This internal conflict is
    highlighted by Offred's frequent flashbacks, which provide a stark contrast to her
    current situation and serve to emphasize the extent to which her life has been
    turned upside down.

    Offred's internal conflict is also her complicated relationship with the Commander.
    Initially, Offred sees the Commander as everything wrong with Gilead. However,
    as time passes, she begins to get used to him although she still feels a sort of
    hatred toward him. Nick, the guardian, becomes like an escape from real life to
    her. She has feelings for him which develop over time and which most likely is the
    thing that led to her being picked up by the Eyes. This internal conflict is
    highlighted by Offred's ambivalence towards the Commander and her struggle to
    reconcile her feelings for Nick with her desire to resist the regime.

    I have recognized even minor conflicts that Offred had in her past, between her
    and her mother, and even her and Moira regarding her relationship with Luke in
    the beginning.

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