Subordination in The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Methods of Control
Internalizing Subordinate Status
Conclusion
Work Cited

Introduction

In the book The Handmaids Tale, one of the main themes is exercising ones power to gain control over others. In this case, it was applied to the female characters which were subject to restrictions to their essential freedoms so that they could serve the elite. Therefore, the subordinate position of women in the novel is explained by the use of language techniques by Gilead, and their status was accepted by reshaping identities under this condition.

Methods of Control

The methods of control used by Gilead are related to his system of giving titles to people instead of using their proper names. Thus, he refers to the women by their tasks, such as the Commanders Wife or the Marthas (Atwood 9; 11). From this perspective, claiming their place in society by the imposed duties allows ensuring the subordinate position of this population group contrasted by the Commander or The Guardian for men (Atwood 9; 13). The ones resisting him are called Unwomen, highlighting their disdain (Atwood 10). Therefore, his approach allows labeling females as servants for men.

Internalizing Subordinate Status

In turn, the women internalize their subordinate status by believing in negative stereotypes about them. The appropriate conduct seems to be guided by compliance with the mens rules though promoting hatred and scorn to their bodies (Atwood 31). In this way, renouncing identities is the consequence of detrimental perceptions of females. This condition leads to accepting their fate through understanding physical differences, which explains why they are servants.

Conclusion

To summarize, using language techniques, such as giving titles and rejecting names, helps Gilead control women. Their perceived roles in society are, therefore, related to the tasks they perform instead of identities. The latter is also adversely affected by the instilled hatred towards their bodies as proof of their less privileged position. It is underpinned by the affected persons beliefs in the correctness of mens views.

Work Cited

Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaids Tale. Everymans Library, 2006.

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Subordination in The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood

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