Gender Flashcards
‘I had only their words for it’ (pg.37)
‘His hand is moving on me, nervously and with impatience’
Although the doctor is offering to help Offred the adverbs suggest that it is more perhaps for his own person benefit like satisfying his desires which is restricted by the regime
‘The knowledge of his power hangs nevertheless in the air’
The doctor as a male with a status can use their encounter against Offred - there is constant paranoia that Offred may be turned in even though she hasn’t done anything wrong
‘To be a man watched by women. It must be entirely strange’
Men are always seen as the having the most power
‘To have them flinch when he moves, even if it’s harmless’
‘You wanted a women’s culture. Well now there is one’
This is ironic as even though women are valued more in Gileadean society it is limited to being seen solely as functions
‘Women united for a common end!’
This is ironic as the women in Gilead are far from united
‘I’m his mistress’
This is objectification as Offred seemingly belongs to the Commander
‘Women can’t add, he said jokingly’
This sexism shows the Commander as out of touch and ignorant to the oppression of women in Gileadean society
‘Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection’/ ‘For Adam was first formed then Eve’ (p.223)
Both quotes show that society oppressed women into becoming voiceless vessels, especially when compared to men who are deemed to be higher than them - they justify this with a bible quote
‘Spirit of camaraderie among women’ (p.224)
This is deeply ironic considering how Offred regards other women like Janine and also due to how the Red Centre promotes Testifying which encourages ganging up on a Handmaid
‘I am a blank here,between parenthese’ (p.230)
Atwood uses this metaphor in a lot of her literature to show the marginalisation of women in a patriarchal society
‘He wishes to diminish things, myself included’ (p.231)
This shows how powerful men in society can easily control everything around them so it benefits them
‘Feathers, mauve and pink’ (p.232)
These are all very provocative things to be wearing which plays into the sexual objectification of women
‘He is demonstrating me his mastery of the world’
The Commander as a man constantly feels as though her needs to assert his dominance over Offred showing he is superior
‘What do you think about our little club?’ (p.238)
This is almost euphemistic showing the pure ignorance the Commander has for breaking the rules as he is already in power
‘It’s only for officers’ (p.239)
The Commander only mentions the men first suggesting these are the only ‘people’ he sees here
‘Move your flesh around, breathe audibly. It’s the least you can do’ (p.257)
This links to the idea of women feeling as though they have to please men, especially those with more power than themselves. ‘Move your flesh around’ gives the sense the Offred feels detached from her body
Contexts for Gender
Feminism - second wave feminism focused on legal rights for women
Feminine Mystique
Uprising of division between liberal feminist and radical feminist
Novel published in response to Reagan
Masculinity
Commander - symbolises American ideals of masculinity, directly responsible for the oppression and has the power to end it but doesn’t, gender hypocrisy through his sexist comments
Luke - his comments gs feel rather sexist, provided Offeed with a sense of being valued, meant to contrast Commander but instead shows even modern men can be oppressive to women
Nick - symbolises an equal, he empower Offeed and gives her a sense of identity
Feminity
roles of women are divided into different egg identities each to represent a female ideal
segments g identities poses women against each other
Handmaids - reproduction
- dehumanised on their sole function
Wives - domesticity
- they are government regulated matriarchs
Martha’s - symbolise housekeeping
- green clothing associates them with cleanliness and health
How are the Aunts an anomaly to gender roles?
allowed to have more power as can read and write
their violence allows them to break traditional gender norms
ultimately though are loyal and serve the patriarhcy
Unwen
shows reproduction is the central definition of womanhood in Gilead
ostracised from society by being shipped of to the colonies - fear tactic
