Power

Question 1

‘Aunt Lydia and Aunt Elizabeth patrolled, they had electric cattle prods’ (pg.4)

Question 2

‘They’ve removed anything you could tie a rope to’/’windows only open partly’ (pg.7)

Question 3

‘His face is long and mournful, like a sheep’s’ (pg.21)

Question 4

‘Freedom to and freedom from’ (pg.24)

Question 5

‘These men, we’ve been told, are like war criminals’ (pg.33)

Question 6

‘Nothing changes instantaneously: in a gradually heating bathtub you’d be boiled to death before you knew it’

Answer 6

Although Gilead felt like it happened over night there were many underlying factors that lead up it taking over - the metaphor shows the impending doom Offred believes she will meet

Question 7

‘bits of broken symbolism left from the time before’

Answer 7

This is emblematic that the time pre-Gilead has been destructed and obliterated by the Sons of Jacob, it also could suggest how even though Gilead has tried to erase the past it can still be found in some aspects

Question 8

‘She’ll put a hand on my shoulder…as if i’m a piece of furniture’

Answer 8

Serena Joy is asserting her dominance over Offred perhaps as it is one of the only ways she can gain control - it is ultimately objectifying Offred

Question 9

‘Pulled towards each other by a force, current, pulled apart also by hands equally strong’

Answer 9

This metaphor depicts that Offred feels her and Nick have a strong emotional connection but are stopped by the rules of the regime

Question 10

‘They will have no memories of any other way’

Answer 10

Censorship is used by a totalitarian regime to prevent rebellion as there is no alternative offered

Question 11

‘He laughed. I could of slapped him’

Answer 11

Those in power in a totalitarian often stay ignorant to the atrocities and restrictions caused as a result as they benefit from the system

Question 12

‘Eyes move in on him, does something sharp and brutal that doubles him over’

Question 13

‘Yesterday was July 4th, which used to be Independence Day, before they abolished it’ (p.199)

Answer 13

It is ironic that independence day has been removed as it completely removes any form of freedom for anyone in Gilead.

Question 14

‘Angels, with riot gear’ (p.274)

Answer 14

This is an ironic juxtaposition because Angels have a warm and protective connotation however riot gear is very menacing - it shows the fear and violence that the regime instigates

Question 15

‘A public account…is invariably followed by a rash outbreak of similar crimes’ (p.277)

Answer 15

The censorship of what the three women has done shows the control of information and its release to the general public in order to not give anyone ideas of rebellion

Question 16

‘Like flightless birds, wrecked angels’ (p.279)

Answer 16

The simile symbolises the restrictions that the regime instigates as it has limited any form of escape for anyone

Question 17

What are the 4 types of power according to Lisa Veneklasen and Valerie Miller

Answer 17

power over
power with
power to
power within

Question 18

How does the Commander symbolise power over

Answer 18

archetype of power - his name symbolises dominance
his position also him to break the rules and be forgiven
in him and Offreds relationship her fate is in his hands - she cannot directly tell him know and he knows this so takes advantage

Question 19

how does Ofglen and Offred show power with?

Answer 19

they are of similar status so find power with each other - sense of camaraderie
they risk their lives together by revelling against Hilead

Question 20

How does Moira show power to?

Answer 20

power to be able to act either alone kr together to make a change
when Offeed feels herself fading away she uses Moria’s voice to encourage herself
her idea on sexuality contrasts the Commanders - for her sex can be empowering

Question 21

‘if it’s a story I’m telling then I have control over the ending’

Answer 21

her memories and thoughts allow her to find power within her storytelling

Question 22

‘I would like to steal something’

Answer 22

having possessions serves as a physical representation of one’s individual power
the buttering of the skin allows Iffredd to reclaim some power as she is taking agency over her body

Question 23

‘the searchlights are off…a power shift’

Answer 23

shift in power dynamic - Offeed going to Jezebel’s gives her some control over herself

Question 24

contexts for power?

Answer 24

feminist movement of 1960s allowed women to gain more power over their rights
reagan enacted a conservative policy agenda
cold war was a power struggle between the US and the soviet union

Question 25

‘there is something powerful in whispering obscenities’

Answer 25

langauge is used as a way to reclaim power by rejecting those in power