IT'S ALL ABOUT SEX

As I was reading the part of the sexual act between Offred and the Commander I was instantly perplexed and horrified. I doubt this is the three way men are dreaming about. Not only is it awkward, cold and distant but also I doubt there do neither the Handmaids nor the Wives feel any pleasure. Lets not forget the immense pressure to perform these men must feel. The fact that in the book sex is for recreational purposes only is an absurd idea. I guess this is the oldest notion about sex. It is the agenda for many religious institutions to “control” the masses (by masses I mean women), hence why the author probably brought it up in the book. Sexual expression is one of the important and essential acts individuals can undertake. And even though women have often been deprived of the pleasure sexual acts can produce the book takes it to a new level. I guess in the author’s intent is to draw connections with female genitalia cutting.

It is important to recognize that just like many of the themes presented in the book about power there is too the element of power in the sexual act. For starters the Commanders play a crucial role in this pecking order, they are the one’s to receive pleasure and prestige with the outcome of the sexual act; hence they are at the very top of the totem pole. The presence of Serena Joy in the act is detrimental to the power hierarchy. The Wives presence in the act says to the Handmaids, that even though they are having sex with their husbands it is going to be at their own terms even if that means they have to be in it as well. In a very minute way Offred has some power, it is her body that is this “vessel” of procreation, a body she has little control of. I can only imagine how the author came up with the ideas in her book, I can only understand that she is taking some things in real life o produce this book.