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Reading Log
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.