Chapter 37-39: Subjugation

Subjugation in Chapters 37-39 (Henna and Rosie)
Chapter 37
Within this chapter, Offred describes what she sees including costumes and her surroundings. She also mentions seeing Moira.

"Well, some of them are real pros. Working girls" - The Commander, page 249
The term "girls" connotes that the Commander thinks he's better than these women, making them seem inferior. The idea of "some" of them shows that he's addressing them as a group instead of giving them all their own identity.
"Well, we have quite a collection. That one there, the one in green, she's a sociologist. Or was. That one was a lawyer, that one was in business, an executive position; some sort of fast-food chain or maybe it was hotels." - The commander, page 249
The term "we" gives the impression that the Commander feels he owns these women and they are his possessions. However, the women would rather be there than go to the colonies or be Handmaids, Moira is an example of this. The fact that he knows all of the previous professions of the women at the club shows how often he goes there and that he's important and higher in the hierarchy because he knows about peoples pasts.


Chapter 38
In this chapter, Offred strays from the Commander and goes to speak to Moira in private, which wouldn't have been openly allowed in the Red Centre. Moira describes how she escaped. Moira seems to try to convince and encourage Offred to get herself sent to the club.

"You look like the Whore of Babylon." - Moira, page 254
The term "whore" connotes prostitution. The phrase is ironic because Moira is comparing Offred to a whore when Moira is a prostitute. She seems proud to be in this profession because she can fulfill her sexual desires and will not be condemned for being a lesbian, she tries to convince Offred to join her at the club because she will be 'free'.

"He's my commander" - Offred, page 255
The personal pronoun "my" makes it seem as if the Commander is a possession of Offred, which is a juxtaposition because Offred is essentially his property and if he hadn't taken her to the club, she wouldn't have seen Moira. The sentence as a whole is ironic because she says "He's my Commander" as opposed to "I'm his Handmaid", which makes it seem as if she's proud. Claiming that she's his Handmaid makes her seem inferior to him and less important, like an object. The fact that other women are present when Offred says this, seems as if she's showing off about the fact that she's there with her Commander, because it's as if she's proud of her fertility.


Chapter 39
In this chapter, the Commander takes Offred to a private room and Offred describes the events that occur. She also describes, in great detail, the surroundings while in the room and her feelings, as if remembering the past.

"He shows it to me, slyly. I am to understand." - Offred, page 263
The use of the auxiliary verb "am" in this context is effective because it gives the impression that she's supposed to understand the implication, as opposed to actually understanding fully. The adverb "slyly" connotes that, even in his position of power, the Commander still needs to be careful with his actions and lower himself to the expectations of others. He treats Offred like a sexual object, as if she's nothing more to him than a prostitute, ironic as they are at the club. It is also disrespectful and undermining that he doesn't ask if she will go up to the room with him, he simply shows her the key which is clearly enough to show her that he has made the decision for her.

"He stops at the foot, his fingers encircling the ankle, briefly, like a bracelet, where the tattoo is, a Braille he can read, a cattle-brand. It means ownership." - Offred, page 266
The noun "ownership" connotes that Offred has given into the oppression of Gilead. She accepts that she is a possession of him, contradicting the fact that earlier on in the section she gives the impression that she feels she owns him. The repetition of the personal pronouns "he" and "his" signifies that Offred is not enjoying him touching her, she's too aware and keeps reminding herself that he's the one touching her. The noun "cattle-brand" shows that she feels helpful, as if she's being hunted against her will. The fact that she feels branded shows that she feels that she only belongs to him.

Homework for Monday 22nd November 2010

Look at Chapters 37

Monologue Homework for 15th November 2010

Discussion between Nick and Serena Joy
Topic: Offred having sex with Nick without the Commander knowing.

Nick: I can't do it, if I get caught I'll get sentenced to death not you Serena. Please find another way, please. I'm sorry but I can't do it, I can't go through with it.

Serena: Nick! You've known me for long enough do not beg and plead with me, my decisions are final. You know that! You are young you'll find a nice girl to marry and to have children with. Do this one thing for me. Actually Nick if not for me do it for Offred! If she doesn't get pregnant soon she will go to the colonies. Is that what you want Nick? Having that hanging over your head! You have to, you haven't got a choice.

Nick: Serena are you trying to guilt trip me? If so it isn't working. Your only a wife, the commander has the final say. Please Serena find another way. I have a choice in this matter, I could tell the commander but I won't because I respect him. He doesn't deserve to be treated like this.

Serena: And what would you achieve by telling the commander Nick? Nick the commander is my dear husband and he loves me truly and deeply, why would he believe you Nick? Why? (very thoughtfully and determined however intimidatingly) Offred was a way for me to have children and since she hasn't been successful with the commander, you are my other chance. Do you want this hanging over your head? Stopping me from being a Mother?

Nick: Are you that desperate to have children that you are willing to lie and deceive the husband whom supposedly loves you truly and deeply? Why did you pick me Serena? (fidgeting)

Serena: Nick you are in no position to be questioning me or my decisions. You are young and much more able to produce a child, the commander is old, and I want children, NICK listen to me I need children. End of story Nick. You HAVE to do it! (adamantly)

Nick: But I'm not willing to produce a child and not rear it as my own! I'm sorry but please don't make me. (starting to back down)

Serena: (huffs and puffs)

Nick: FINE! (not happy with it but has to do it for the sake of his job and his lively hood)

Commentary: I chose to do this particular conversation because it isn't mentioned in detail in the book. When I read the book I wanted to know more about this conversation.
The above conversation connotes how desperate Serena Joy is to have children, and to what lengths she will go to ensure that Nick goes through with sleeping with Offred.
Moreover Nick is adamant from the start that he will not give in to Serena's bullying, this is made clear through the use of exclamation marks. The exclamation marks are used by both parties, they connote: determination, defiance and expression.
I chose to do this conversation because it shows how desperate Serena is to have children. Within the book we find out that she wants children hence why she has a handmaid, however this conversation enhances that she NEEDS children.
Nick knows that he can only defy Serena for a short period of time; therefore he gives in to Serena's bullying.
Serena uses blackmailing and guilt tripping in order to convince Nick into doing what she says i.e. by mentioning that Offred will go to the colonies makes Nick feel bad, however he shows this to Serena, she will use emotional blackmail even more.

Diary entry from Commander

It was late, and I was longing for some company, and then finally she came in.

She must of thought that I wanted sex but all I wanted was company that all. I don't blame her for being weary I would be if I was in her situation.

We played an intellectual game of scrabble, it was fun however, I could sense fear in her. I don't blame her but I'm harmless, it's my obsessive and strong willed wife who she needs to afraid of.

However, I know what I'm doing now, I have to be careful and more secretive to ensure that Serena does not find out.

Shopping List

12 Medium sized white eggs,

2 loaves of brown seeded bread,

One slice of braising steak weighing no more than 5pounds

and 15 slices of white mature cheddar cheese.

Serena Joy, I have not spoken to you recently, how are you coping? How’s the Handmaid, has she conceived yet? The trouble we women go through to have a child. I have been so busy with the knitting, looking after the house, and so forth I am sure you know what I am talking about.
I was admiring the wonderful green grass and the nice aroma of my flowers, when the handmaid wonders out and tries to talk to me! Seriously what is this world coming to! How dare she even think that she has the right to come into my personal garden space never mind trying to talk to me. We have to be selfish and we can never let our guard down especially not with disgusting handmaids. I know that eventually I will get a child, which I have always desired and dreamed about, but this is hard, watching ‘my’ husband have intercourse with another women makes me feel angry and sick.

You know I am not one to gossip but I heard from another wife that your handmaid tried to escape with her husband and daughter and she were caught, hence the reason for having to become a handmaid.
Is this true Serena Joy?

I did not write to moan about how terrible my life is going, I wrote because I recently heard from other wives that you are a very sophisticated and elegant knitter, what I am trying to say is that will you give me some tips?

Oh and before I forget another one of the wives handmaids is ready to give birth and you are invited to the Birth day, please be ready for when the birth mobile comes to pick you up. I hope that you can make it, we can have a proper catch up then.

Regards
Commander Shayne’s wife

Newwwwwww essay :-)

Henna Essay Draft 1

Classwork 4th November 2010

How would you stage the Handmaids tale?

I would have the actual seating area in a semi circle with the open end having "the wall" with bodies hanging".
Costumes would be significant.
There should also be thoughts allowed because this would help tell the narrative.
And at the end of the play there should be hot seating so that the questions that the audience want to ask get answered.
Also the two walks that the Handmaids take everyday should be around the audience, therefore making the audience feel intimidated however also to make them feel involved.
During the flashbacks Offred will go and sit within the audience because she wants to see how happy she was.
There wouldn't be many props only the necessary items.
And there would only be dim lighting apart from when they go outside.
Instead of showing the ceremonies, salvaging, particulations, and explicit scenes there would be Offred as the narrator thinking allowed about it.

The theme of isolation should be clear.

Historical notes in Handmaids tale Classword 4th November 2010

From what the historical say we can gather that the book was not written straight into a book format however it was recorded by Offred. This is quite weird because Offred and the other Handmaids are forbidden to talk and they have no form of communication within their rooms. But Offred could have hid the recorder in her cupboard where the inscription was found "don't let the bastards get to you". The story was recorded over old music tapes, Offred kept songs either side of the tape to ensure if anyone heard it they would think that it was only a tape filled with music.

Offred is an unreliable narrator because she states that she wasn't allowed to talk however she has been doing so via the tape recorder.

Nick profile due for 4th November

This is Nicks profile:

a. Nick is a guardian however he is also the chauffeur to the commander
b. He is a member of the secret police (an Eye)
c. Nick has an affair with Offred because Serena Joy wants a baby (the commander is unaware of this)
d. Offred thinks shes pregnant via Nick
e. Nick arranges for Offred to escape (breaking the rules of Gilead)

Classwork 1st November 2010: Features with evidence from the text

Rank order he features from one to ten, starting with the one that best characterised the novel for you as a reader.
This is a novel:
1. About the exploitation of women
2.Of alienation and unbelonging
3. About male power and conflict (partiarchal society)
4. Exploring political systems (women's bodies are used as political instruments)
5. about loss, e.g of freedom, mothers, children
6.with a strong sense of place and time (only two walks a day)
7. that explores a society based on repressive religious systems
8.
9.
10.

For your top three features, find evidence from the text to support and explain your choices.

1. The exploitation of women:
One of the main features for me within the Handmaids tale is the fact that women are exploited to have children against their will.
The handmaids have no choice but to have sex with the commanders and bear their children, the only other choice is to go to the colonies where diseases are a high risk. The handmaids are made to wear red and only red, the connotation of the colour red are fertility. They handmaids have to follow rules and regulations "no need to use trains".

2. Manipulation and Power in Gilead:
Another feature within the handmaids tale is the presence of manipulation and power. Although the society of Gilead is a theocracy there is no one in charge or at the top of the hierarchy. there is no one for people to turn to because there is no government.
Offred knows that she has power because of her fertility, however she cannot use this to her advantage. Moreover with the relationship with the commander she slowly gains power, however she cannot use this as a strength because the commander will at no extents protect her from his wife (the previous handmaid committed suicide)
She also learns that Handmaids kill themselves in order to gain some final power about how they die.

3. Sexuality:
Lesbians and gays get executed, abortion doctors get executed, they ritualized strange and weird sexual relations which are supposedly supported by the bible?