role of science Flashcards
who is a character in THT who demonstrates a misuse of science?
offred’s fertility health doctor
what are quotes that demonstrate the doctor crossing boundaries?
-‘any pain, honey?’
-‘his hand, sliding up my leg’
-‘he lifts the sheet’
By crosssing the boundaries set up to protect offred, he exhibits his power over her in confidence, status and gender. sex is not a traumatic experience for him so he is lighthearted and offers it as a currency
how does the interaction at the doctors effect offred?
shaken and afraid. the misuse of science has lead to fear/concern if it is used to a handmaid’s advantage
insemination (although non-scientific) is now a crime and is dangerous to be performed
what is the impact of the doctors appt. on the reader
juxtaposing / the crime of doing this vs the doctor’s casual nature
science can become a weapon in the wrong context and held by the wrong persons
how is science misused in WOTW?
-astronomists have constant ignorance to the possibility of the martians and (exc. ogilvy) ignore the chance of danger until it is too late
-martians use their advanced science to massacre and take over earth eg. heat ray
how is technology used in positive ways
-railway: lord hilton arrives through the train
-narrator may take a train to see his brother
-telegrams spread news quickly and london has heard of the first martian in less than a day
