"The Problem Wasn't Only With the Women..."

There was a very significant quote in chapter 32. By this point, Offred and the Commander have developed an unconventional relationship. Women were forbidden to read and when they went out to the markets, they had pictures rather than words just to keep them from learning how to read. The Commander has evenings with Offred where they play a game of Scrabble. If anyone were to find out Offred could be transported or killed. The Commander is very powerful and has control over the household and the handmaids. The Commander told Offred that the men in the old world found women and sex to be too easy and available. They had somehow lost their "feeling". The Republic of Gilead has changed it's ways and now men are more satisfied, probably because of the amount of control they have. We know from other readings and class discussions that men need to feel in control and that without it, it can threaten their masculinity. Even though men in Gilead are "better" that also means that things are worse for women and especially handmaid's who's soul purpose in Gilead is to bear a child. Can you imagine? Could you picture yourself wanting to live a life of your own but you are a prisoner to sex for the pleasure and gain of someone else?

The quote reads "The problem wasn't only with the women he says. The main problem was with the men. There was nothing for them anymore...I'm not talking about sex he says. That was part of it, the sex was too easy...You know what they were complaining about the most? Inability to feel" Now that women were being controlled by men the ability to "feel" was back for men. What about women? Don't they have the right to "feel"? Do you think both partners are entitled to sexual pleasure or do you thinking their is a "pecking order" for sex? Do you think one gives way to another? Can both be satisfied?