The Handmaid's Tale Conflicts

Conflict Patriarchy • • • •

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Defined as the structuring of society where a male figure has authority and responsibility over an organisation or institution. Patriarchy exists in almost all cultures, and the female form, matriarchy, is said to only exist as a hypothetical social system, as it is not evident in any societies. The Republic of Gilead is formed on the basis of patriarchy. Women are not allowed to work in any professions, have no access to their money, and are denied of all rights. They carry out domestic roles, according to certain factors: 1. Wives: Top social level available to women. Married to the higher-ranking men, have no domestic responsibilities. 2. Daughters: Natural or adopted daughters of the wives and commanders. Will later become wives, due to social standing. 3. Handmaids: Fertile women, whose social duty is to bear children for the wives. Handmaids are produced by ‘reeducating’ (brainwashing) fertile women who have committed a ‘gender crime’. 4. Aunts: Older women, who train handmaids. Carry out the dirty work for the men of Gilead, in order to avoid being sent to the colonies. 5. Marthas: Older, infertile women, whose relatively compliant nature and domestic skills ensures them a life of domestic servitude. 6. Econowives: Married to lower ranking men. Expected to perform all female functions such as domestic work, child bearing and companionship. Whilst the women of Gilead carry out domestic service and child bearing. The men hold roles of authority and overrule the women in every aspect of life. The men of Gilead are categorised into the following: 1. Commanders of the Faithful: Ruling class. Entitled to a patriarchal household, consisting of a Wife, Martha and Handmaid. 2. The Eyes: Internal intelligence agency. Uses thought control and control through fear to maintain order. 3. Angels: Soldiers who fight to protect and expand the Republic’s borders. 4. Guardians of the Faithful : Used for menial functions. Disabled, old or young men, can later become Angels. Patriarchy is defined in many societies by a woman taking her husband’s surname at marriage, the extreme patriarchy in

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The Handmaid’s Tale is evident in the fact that the handmaids are named in accordance to the commander that they are assigned to. All major responsibility is given to the males, with females unable to possess weapons, and hold any kind of important authority. “No guns though, even they could not be trusted with guns.” “When there’s meat they cut it up for me ahead of time, as if I’m lacking manual skills or teeth. I have both, however. That’s why I’m not allowed a knife.” Women are legally classified as the property of men. Handmaids belong to their commanders, as do Marthas. Removal of women’s individual names removes their individuality and personality.

‘Lost’ Child • •

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Offred and Luke’s only child, taken away at age five. Offred’s affair with Luke, a so called ‘gender crime’ is the eventual catalyst for her assignment to handmaid status. Luke, Offred and the child attempt to flee to Canada, but are caught and separated. The child’s fate is unknown for the majority of the novel, however we later learn that Serena Joy has always known of the child’s whereabouts and later shows Offred a picture of her daughter. The photo shows Offred’s daughter holding the hand of a Commander’s wife, and wearing the white dress of a daughter. “So tall and changed. Smiling a little now, so soon, and in her white dress as if for an olden days First Communion.” The white dress, worn until marriage at 14, symbolises purity and innocence, and the change of ‘uniform’ at age 14, depicts the transition from being a daughter to a wife.

Control Through Fear •

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The Republic of Gilead controls its inhabitants through means of fear, and thought control, having manipulated the citizens to live in fear of what may happen to them, if they commit any crimes. The Wall works to instil fear in those who view it as it physical proof of the consequences of ‘resisting the system’ and challenging the norms in the Republic of Gilead. “We’re supposed to look: that is what they are there for , hanging on the Wall.”

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The Eyes are the internal intelligence agency in Gilead and work to maintain law and order through the use of fear. The members of the agency are unknown to ordinary citizens. Offred believes Nick to be an Eye, due to his winking at her, which she deems to be a test of her loyalty to the Republic. “Then he winks.. He’s taken a risk, but for what?.. Perhaps it was a test, to see what I would do. Perhaps he is an Eye.” The fear of the unknown is also used to manipulate the citizens, mainly the women, into staying loyal to the Republic. Infertility and various ‘gender crimes’ such as extra-marital affairs can lead to women, especially handmaids, as being dubbed ‘unwomen’ and sent to the colonies. The colonies enforces a sense of imposing fear on handmaids as well as homosexuals, feminists and political dissidents from the time before, who resist the new republic. Although no solid facts exist about life inside the colonies, it is evident that unwomen are unable of social integration and are rejected from society, and forced to die a slow death in areas of high pollution, such as former radiation sites.