Role of women in margarett atwood's the handmaid's tale
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THE HANDMAID’S TALE
QUOTES
by: Margaret Atwood
SUMMARY
CHARACTERS
MAIN IDEAS
QUOTES
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Role of Women
QUOTES ROLE OF WOMEN
The spectacles women used to make of themselves. Oiling themselves like roast meat on a spit, and bare backs and shoulders, on the street, in public, and legs, not even stockings on them, no wonder these things used to happen. Things, the word she used when whatever it stood for was too distasteful or filthy or horrible to pass her lips. A successful life for her was one that avoided things, excluded things. Such things do not happen to nice women.
Offred recalls Aunt Lydia’s account of how women used to behave, particularly in the warm times of year. Aunt Lydia postulates that when women dressed provocatively, they invited men to take advantage of them. By saying that crimes wouldn’t happen to nice women who cover themselves up, Aunt Lydia places all the blame on the women who are the victims rather than on the men who are the perpetrators. Aunt Lydia’s practice of blaming women performs an important role of indoctrination in Gilead’s mandated conformity.
There is no such thing as a sterile man anymore, not officially. There are only women who are fruitful and women who are barren, that’s the law.
When Offred goes to the doctor for her monthly checkup, the doctor offers to try to impregnate her, explaining that most men like the Commander are sterile. His observation shocks Offred, as Gilead statutes outlaw suggesting the possibility of male sterility. Responsibility for failure of a couple to conceive officially falls on the woman regardless of the man’s state of health. The law represents another example of society’s use of women as scapegoats.
But whose fault was it? Aunt Helena says, holding up one plump finger. Her fault, her fault, her fault, we chant in unison. Who led them on? Aunt Helena beams, pleased with us. She did. She did. She did. Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen? Teach her a lesson. Teach her a lesson. Teach her a lesson.
Offred recalls a Handmaid teaching session in the Red Center. Janine had shared that she was raped as a teenager and had an abortion. The Aunts make the rest of the Handmaids tell Janine that it was her fault. Not only do the Aunts want Janine to internalize the idea that she led her rapists on, but they also want to indoctrinate in the others that women are to blame in these situations. The group chant demonstrates the behavior the Aunts want to instill, namely, women should take pleasure in shaming each other.