A man's job.

In the creation of Gilead the first thing that was taken away from the women was their right to have a job and secure their own money. When the law changed this right, women were then dependent on men and the power in a couple’s relationship immediately shifted to the man. Women were now the property of men and were to work in the home. This is a major factor in cutting off women’s independence. If a woman is unable to provide for herself, she has no way to stand up to a man. A woman mentor in my life often talks about her “fuck you account.” This is her separate stash of money kept from her husband that she would use if necessary to leave him to find a new home and life. This ability is crucial for women in a world where women have been able to vote for only 91 years. At the end of chapter 28 Offred is recalling how her past husband Luke wanted to make love to her the night she lost her job. Offred was too numb and depressed to do so. Luke however, pulled her close and “gathered” her up. In this act Offred felt as if they no longer belonged to one another, but rather Offred belonged to Luke. In Offred’s present, she marvels at the idea that all women used to hold jobs. Sadly in her current life, job is a man’s past time. All jobs are man’s jobs.