ELP: What is the most effective way that Atwood creates a repressive atmosphere in these chapters? (Handmaid’s Tale)

Using chapter 1 – 6, consider the following: 

What is the most effective way that Atwood creates a repressive atmosphere in these chapters?

Use close analysis to respond to this, using textual evidence to support your interpretation.

Through out chapters one-six, Atwood builds a repressive atmosphere, established through personal anecdotes told by Offred and vivid descriptions, that intend to signify the implications that an authoritarian leadership held by Gilead can have on society.

Firstly, Atwood uses these personal anecdotes to contrast the way of life for those living under the Gilead leadership with that of when society was ruled by anarchical system. In chapter one, Offred makes reference to Dolls, a toy of the past, that would “talk if you pulled a string at the back”. The reference to a sentimental valued toy that she had as a younger girl reveals to the readers that she continues to reminisate about the past. When she says “I thought I was sounding like that, voice of a monotone, voice of a doll”, Atwood clearly illustrates how Offred feels in society without explicity stating that society itself supressive the freedoms that individuals have.  But beyond this, Atwood effectively demonstrates how a repressive environment has been created by contrasting her current surroundings from where she rests. She refers to a gymansium where “dances would have been held”, contrasting that with dialogue about her current living quarters; similar to that of prision-like places, creating this sense of fear and misery amongst the readers, a drastic comparision to the way readers tend to feel about gymnasiums. She illiterates how “we aren’t even allowed to go there except in twos”, reilliterating the ideas expressed earlier on.