Thinking a bit further

After reading the first five sections of “The Handmaids Tale” it made me wonder about a few things. First, it got me thinking about the war in Iraq. The characters in the novel (Offred, Ofglen, and the Marthas) mention that the societal change occurred because of a war. Their new way of living seems completely enraging, women’s rights have been taken! But not according to Aunt Lydia. She explains that before they had “freedom to” and now they have “freedom from.”

As I read through the chapters and how Offred described her emotions, I wondered whether the women in Iraq feel similar emotions with Offred. It seems as though the book is aiming to get the reader to think about the war in Iraq. Offred states that she sometimes doesn’t understand why they must do things the way they are done. Also, the women in the novel are not always fully informed about any war updates or news in general. I feel that the women in the middle east are also not allowed to watch the television or read the newspaper for current information about their country. These scenarios make me question whether the women in Iraq see a democratic way of living confusing, unreasonable, or simply unnecessary? Will the women of Iraq feel happy with the change in their lifestyle of will they feel like Offred?

The second thing this novel made me think about was women’s rights in general. The novel used many of the topics discussed in class to keep a system of oppressed women. They used the concept of horizontal hostility in the ranking system of the women. They set aside certain women for the sole purpose to reproduce- not with someone of their choice but by their commander. They were not allowed to read. They had to travel in twos. They had to wear a “uniforom” according to their rank. In our western world view, they were stripped from their freedom.