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How is power distributed in Gilead?
In many ways, The Handmaid’s Tale could be seen as an examination of power – who has it, how they gain it, how they use it and misuse it. The most obvious form of power in the novel is the régime of the Republic of Gilead. The power imbalance in the novel is what makes it such a striking commentary on human society, especially gender. In Gilead, extreme patriarchy, religious oppression and totalitarianism have engineered society in such a way that a woman’s worth is only attached to her husband (as in the case of the Commander’s wives) or her ability to bear children. It is so ironic that the Handmaids in whose hands rest the power to perpetuate society are the ones treated so poorly but their pregnancies are always celebrated and the birth of a child is glamorised. This validates Offred’s referral to handmaids as ‘two-legged wombs’ because indeed they are only valued for the ability to bear children, failure to do this lead to being called ‘Unwoman’ and being banished from society. In the social hierarchy, the handmaids are the lowest individuals, the power structures are rigged against them and their only choices of social mobility is linked to their fertility.
The régime also uses and misuses language to control its citizens. Since it likes to pretend that its oppression is beneficent:
– The women who control the Red Centre, using cattle-prods and steel cables, and who run the Particicution, are called by the kindly name of ‘Aunts’
– Shops are named after quotations from the Bible, such as the ‘Loaves and Fishes’.
– The state’s soldiers are called ‘Angels’
Gilead sees itself as a fundamentalist Christian régime, and the Bible is often cited – but very often the quotations used, for example by the Aunts, are subtly altered or perverted. More pervasively, education is strictly controlled, books and magazines are banned and women are not supposed to read or write, unless they are workers on state activity, such as the Aunts. Gilead knows well that language is a very powerful tool.
In what ways is the control of women’s bodies reflective of the totalitarian control of the regime in Gilead?
Women’s bodies are used as political instruments because Gilead was formed in response to the crisis caused by dramatically decreased birthrates, the state’s entire structure, with its religious trappings and rigid political hierarchy, is built around a single goal: control of reproduction. The state tackles the problem head-on by assuming complete control of women’s bodies through their political subjugation.
“I used to think of my body as an instrument, of pleasure, or a means of transportation, or an implement for the accomplishment of my will . . . Now the flesh arranges itself differently. I’m a cloud, congealed around a central object, the shape of a pear, which is hard and more real than I am and glows red within its translucent wrapping.”
This passage is from Chapter 13, when Offred sits in the bath, naked, and contrasts the way she used to think about her body to the way she thinks about it now. Before, her body was an instrument, an extension of her self; now, her self no longer matters, and her body is only important because of its “central object,” her womb, which can bear a child. Offred’s musings show that she has internalized Gilead’s attitude toward women, which treats them not as individuals but as objects important only for the children that they can bear. Women’s wombs are a “national resource,” the state insists, using language that dehumanizes women and reduces them to, as Offred puts it, “a cloud, congealed around a central object, which is hard and more real than I am.” Women cannot vote, hold property or jobs, read, or do anything else that might allow them to become subversive or independent and thereby undermine their husbands or the state. Despite all of Gilead’s pro-women rhetoric, such subjugation creates a society in which women are treated as subhuman. They are reduced to their fertility, treated as nothing more than a set of ovaries and a womb. In one of the novel’s key scenes, Offred lies in the bath and reflects that, before Gilead, she considered her body an instrument of her desires; now, she is just a mound of flesh surrounding a womb that must be filled in order to make her useful. Gilead seeks to deprive women of their individuality in order to make them docile carriers of the next generation.
Emotional intelligence – thoughts and goal setting
I think I am a very good listener when it comes to the people I care about for example my very close friends and family, whereas with people I consider acquaintances I don’t usually tend to listen as intensely. The reason being is I simple am more interested and invested in the lives of the people I care about compared to people I hardly know. Maybe a goal I could make for myself is to be more open to other peoples problems/concerns so I can seem more approachable and friendly as a person. I think another reason why I care so much about the lives of the people I am close to is due to the fact I have been in relationships with others in the past where I felt like they were not listening to my own problems/concerns. When this was happening I didn’t feel valid and it felt like they didn’t care about me. I wouldn’t want anyone who knows I care about them to feel like that so that’s why I like to give them my full attention.
Culturama Reflection #1 – CAS
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sJ9Y7AZfFAjGcOcFLeaX_6133eSmVneQ/view?usp=sharing
An Open Letter to the International School Community: Our Role in the Black Lives Matter Movement and Anti-Racism Work – Discussion
Discussion link
CHAPTER 7 ANALYSIS ON MIA WARREN – LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE
What does the author reveal about Mia Warren in Chapter 7?
In Chapter 7, the author revealed that Mia understands Izzy on a very different level from her own mother or anyone else in her life. Mia understands that Izzy’s nonconformity stems from her empathy for others and her desire to stand up for what she believes, and this is often what Mrs. Richardson suppresses. This draws the two together and leads Izzy to admire Mia for her willingness to encourage her to take a stand against injustice. Izzy has previously not been encouraged to behave subversively, and Mia’s take on her suspension underscores how much the two women have in common. With Mia being an artist, she values and can understand everyone’s individuality and flair, and strongly believes that matters concerning someone should be dealt with by the same person, as they will know the situation in a detailed way. In addition, Mia gave the opportunity for Izzy to justify her actions, listening to her without interrupting after every second word. This is apparently different compared to Elena. Elena has falsely idealised a ‘perfect’ mould for all women in the Richardson family to follow. This heavily constricts the development of her children, as they are unable to find their true selves. In comparison, Mia allows Pearl to find and better understand herself, which is important.
What lockdown has taught me about life
Lockdown I have learnt who my real friends are which is a very valuable life lesson because the people that you surround yourself within your life is important. They can change your mindset and your attitude. I would consider someone my real friend if they’ve made the effort to contact me during lockdown or if we FaceTime a lot because it shows me that they care about me. Ever since middle school, I’ve always realized that having the right friends is important but during lockdown, it’s definitely become a lot more prominent to me because the people you surround yourself with can have a huge impact on you.
What lockdown has taught me about myself
Lockdown has taught me multiple things about myself but, the most valuable thing I’ve learnt about myself is I like having my alone time. Don’t get me wrong I do miss my friends and seeing them every day at school but being alone at home and spending time away from everyone has made me realize I should value the time that I have with myself. When spending time with myself I feel like I’m able to focus more on my physical well being. I’ve been able to exercise every day, eat very clean and healthy and reflect on a lot of things that have been taking up space in my mind.
Personal Statement
This year has definitely been the most strange of my schooling years because of the obvious coronavirus but I think that my school year hadn’t changed too much because of it. The coronavirus has affected the end of my year I have still been heavily involved in various activities throughout the year. I have participated in many different School shows this year including Unplugged, Culturama and Dance showcase. For Unplugged I sang a song and my friend Grace played the piano, we performed Defying Gravity. In Culturama I was a part of the South Korea dance group which I have enjoyed because Culturama is a yearly event that I participated in Grade 9 so it was nice to participate and join it again in grade 10. In the Dance showcase, I was involved in 2 dances I’ve always enjoyed dance showcase because I’ve participated in it since grade 6 so it has a special place in my heart. In grade 10 I took part in a new service with little kids where we made arts and crafts, I also signed up for a GC this year called Gilie Ecotrust which I thoroughly enjoyed because I have a deep passion for the ocean. Overall this year has definitely been a successful year in terms of activities and academic subjects.