Critical response to Handmaid’s Tale
by bobbyg
After reading through the Handmaid’s Tale, I find it difficult to grasp some of the major themes related to ideas related to reproductive freedom. This may be due to the fact that I have only read the novel once but there are some important issues with power and gender with the course module help understand the novel more precisely. What I found interesting with the connection to power is that Atwood’s representation of Gilead society is similarly related to our society today with sexuality being controlled (not by guns) but with rather with laws and rules which still don’t allow basic needs to women. One important connection I made was with the mandatory coverage for contraceptives in the United States and how before this mandate the Republican party were opposed because it violated religious beliefs. Another interesting idea I picked up is the idea of fear and how the women in the Gilead society are afraid of breaking the rules. I think the greater implications of this is that of the gender conflict today. Throughout the novel Atwood displays the struggle between men and women and how at times women would try to kill the Handmaids. It does a good job grasping the tension between how rules and gender can coincide and nevertheless depriving women of the struggle of freedom.
Yes, great job! I agree, an analogy can be used with our society. While womens right have come a long way, we still have a lot of work to do and are not finished. On the surface it may seem that is equal ( just how the Gilead made the women think they have certain freedoms). But sexuality is still controlled not only by laws, but norms too.
You touched on some important issues in The Handmaid’s Tale that are reflections of our sexual reality. Not only are some forms of sexuality controlled through our legal system but also through social norms and regulation. The same thing goes for control over reproduction. Yes, pharmaceuticals biologically control pregnancy but so does the social stigma attached to unwanted, and better yet underage, pregnancy. I see the power political institutions have in The Handmaid’s Tale as a representation of the social power dominant ideologies hold in our society.
ALSO, we need to consider what this “struggle of freedom” really means; social freedom? Freedom from infringement of rights? Should there be any limits on “freedom”?
Hi Bobby!
On the topic of birth control, I’m really glad it became a mandatory coverage for the states. I think the law and religion should be separate. I think the law should give people the freedom to make their own reproductive choices and not have to choose either side. Just like how abortion is a big controversy, I think it should always be legal just to have that as an option for people who really do need it. The people who oppose of it can simply never get it. I’m really glad that Canada is pretty good about this. However, it would be great if birth control was provided under basic health care instead of only extended health care.