Religion Flashcards
‘The mouldy old Rachel and Leah stuff’
This is again Gilead using bible stories as a way of justifying their rules , the adjective ‘mouldy’ suggest Offred has a lot of distaste for the story that oppressed her
‘I don’t know what else I can say to God’
This suggests that Offred feels as though she has no one to turn to, not even God, as there is little hope left for her
‘We chant, as we have been taught’
This evokes almost a feeling of being in a cult or ritual which creates a very ominous feeling over the whole birthing ceremony
‘You were always so stinking pious’
This is blasphemous in a theocracy showing that Ofglen has a rebellious nature
‘Lean your weight forward and not fight. Deliver us from evil’
This is alluding to committing suicide, the same way which the former Offred have. It is ironic that the following phrase follows as it is like suicide is being used as an escape from the evil powers of Gilead
‘God is a national resource’ (p.215)
This suggests that God is on the side of Gilead and also seems like even God can be controlled by the regime
‘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
Context for religion
novel first published under Reagens presidency who was popular with christian groups
the moral majority was a political organisation that promoted religious fundamentalism
opposed abortion, gay rights and equal rights amendment
atwood is an agnostic as sees religion can be corrupted
Names and religion
Offers - sounds like offering
Moira - derived from the Hebrew name Miriam meaning rebellious
Luke - author of third Hospel telling the story of Jesus
Aunt Lydia - Books of Acts - Lydia is the first person to be converted to christianity
Martha’s - sister of Mary - when Jesus visits she is too busy doing cleaning
Sons of Jacob - god promised Jacob his descendants will spread around the world and rule it
Place names and religion
Gilead - where Jacob takes his wives to begin a new story
Rachel and Leah centre - Rachel and Leah are Kavobs wives, rachel uses her handmaid to have children
Jezebels - misled saints of God into sexual immorality
Platitudes and religion
Blessed be the fruit - Mary’s friend Elizabeth says this when Mary is pregnant with Jesus
May the Lord Open - R+L story their wombs are referred to as either open or closed
Under his eye - eye of god showing he is always watching over
