Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, in Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale", women find small ways to rebel against the overbearing society in which they live as a symbol of their desire to escape. The author points out that these small rebellions bring a certain feeling of power, which is essential for mental well being; the large rebellions have catastrophic ends, making the small rebellions the only way to gain any power. The paper relates that society controls many aspects of their lives, and even tries to take away the opportunity to die by removing mirrors and any other object with which the Handmaids could kill themselves ; therefore, killing oneself in this society is a rebellion in its own way..

From the Paper:

"Jezebels is a secret club for Commanders and high ranking officials. The club consists of prostitutes that wear costumes from "old times," such as bunny outfits and nurse attire. The presence of this brothel conflicts with the core ideas of Gilead, that sex was too easy and the prevalence of sexual promiscuity was causing men to loose feeling in their lives. Jezebels also serves another rebellious purpose, sneaking Offred out of the house. The commander gives Offred a tight dress with feathers around the thighs and sequins covering the top, a dress very different then the "tent of a dress" she is required to wear."

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