role of nature Flashcards
what is a THT quote that demonstrates nature’s persistence and survival compared to mankinds?
Historical notes: “the fishing expedition will go forward tomorrow as planned…the nature walk”
natural circles of life within nature have remained strong. not as affected by chemical fallout
humans try to copy nature by copying cycles… all generations of humanity keep fishing and walking
what is a major motif of nature throughout the novel and how is it used as varying metaphors?
The garden
flower imagery relates to the handmaids
Fertility in the cycle of nature
The garden of Eden - women causing harm in religious context
what is a quote to demonstrate the garden brings peace to the commander’s wife?
“most of the wives have a garden, something to maintain and care for”. Fulfills maternal instincts to the best of ability to those who do not have a child. shows that in some way the wives really do want a child and it is not just status
“just sits in it, in her garden. It brings her peace”. human connection with nature brings healing
what are other quotes that demonstrate nature’s calming effect upon humans?
“I’m no longer in my body, close to my eyes there is a leaf, red”. in a highly traumatic situation offred’s mind seeks comfort and escapism and finds it in the nearby nature.
“the red of the smile is the same as the red of the tulips in the garden”. assosciation again, finds connection to distract from the gory truth.
focus on red as it is the colour of herself
how is the concept of a handmaid connected to nature?
“the tulips are opening. The tulips are red” upside down shape of the dress. humans look to nature for guidance and copy it eg herd mentality
“the pregnant womans belly is like a huge fruit” most natural comparisons come from nature as it is a blueprint. follows ideas of gilead to remain close to the past.
connection to nature is easy to use as justification for gilead. as it is natural yet this dismisses the unnatural horrors beneath the surface
what is a memorable role of nature in WOTW?
is the only thing that can defeat the martians
military and technology cannot
is destroyed (red weed & fire) but manages to clap back as it is always stronger
what is a moment in which the narrator is shown the strength of nature?
after emerging from the house
-‘i saw a dogs nose’
-‘flutter of a bird’s wings, and a hoarse croaking’
-‘pitter patter of the dog and more birdlike sounds’
‘a gaunt cat’
‘the sky growing blue. a gentle breeze’
what are quotes from the emergence that show mankind is not as strong as once imagined?
-‘multitude of crows’ (only thing that survive in a pit)
-‘all the machinery had gone’
‘abundant shady trees … a mound of smashed brickwork, clay and gravel’
what is the effect of the quotes that show the weaknesses of mankind?
-smashed clay & gravel; were a naturally occuring material but once turned into a manmade building tool become weaker and more susceptible to being damaged. power of nature orginally
-the machines had gone. machinery etc will come and go but the natural world will always remain and return from damage
