Detailed essay plan - not finished

Detailed essay plan

Introduction: explain what status is, how it differs between men and women in the society of Gilead and in The Wife of Bath. Briefly explain how the society affects both men and women. Outline the hierarchy; briefly outline who’s at the top and who’s at the bottom and also all in between. Generally talk about both societies - pros and cons. Why status is needed.

Status in the Handmaid’s tale

- Different statuses amongst women

- Status between women and men

- Why the society is run based on statuses, how does this fit into the regime of a place like Gilead?

- Why is status needed?

- What does it mean to have some people at the top and some at the bottom

Status in The Wife of Bath

- Status between women and men

- Dominance of men over women in the fourteenth century, how does this view and the image of society contradict the actions and mentality of The Wife of Bath?

- How is The Wife of Bath different in the patriarchal society?

- How does she gain dominance over men?

- The Wife of Bath is controlling through maistrie, makes her powerful

Religion in The Wife of Bath

- High belief in God in the fourteenth century

- People going on pilgrimages, Wife of Bath only goes to gain attention

- Only attends church to get noticed

- How does the Wife of Bath use religion to her advantage?

- What kind of biblical illusions does she transmit in her prologue to justify her actions?

- Can her manner be justified? How much is she going by the rules of Christianity?

Religion in The Handmaid’s Tale

- The society has been based on theocracy

- How do the hidden occurrences in the society of Gilead contradict the religious system that has been set up?

- Is Gilead really based on theocracy? Is it not innovated by the rulers to suit their needs?

- How do the people take advantage of the religion and apply it to their selfish wants?

Uniforms and coding in The Handmaid’s Tale:

- Different colours for all different people in the society

- How does this convey status?

- What do colours mean? How are they successful in portraying the role of a person?

- No freedom to wear what they want

- People are divided and segregated – forms conflicts and a huge status gap

- Easier to tell people/ groups/communities apart

Clothing in The Wife of Bath:

- Her clothes are mostly bright, in seek of attention

- Wants to get noticed so is always in her best garments

- Freedom to wear what she wants, wears red which connotes sexual appeal, lust, passion etc

- Her choice of clothing illustrate her active sex life

- Vibrant clothing – exciting love life

Subjugation of women in The Handmaid’s Tale:

- Women are subjugated to various different roles

- Their wanted not needed

- Handmaids to bear children

- Commanders wives to fill in the elite wealthy section

- Econowives to fulfil all the other jobs of wives such as cleaning and cooking

- Marthas to cook in the Commander’s homes

- Aunts to teach other women that the society of Gilead is fair and reasonable

- All women are there for a purpose to serve the system, they are not living for themselves

Same in the The Wife of Bath?

- Primary role is to be a wife

- Women in the fourteenth century were expected to be submissive wives, but The Wife of Bath is going against all these norms of the society

- She has made up her own set of rules and regulations and justifies them by using some biblical references

- The Wife of Bath on the other hand uses men, for her needs, she does not get used for anything

- She is all about her sexuality and only serves herself not the society

- Her norms and values oppose the society

- She has been a wife but a wife to many, how would this be seen in the patriarchal society of the fourteenth century?

Essay plan

4. Compare and contrast the ways Atwood in 'The Handmaid's Tale' and Chaucer in 'The Wife of Bath's Tale' explore status in society.

Intro - explain what status is, how it differs between men and women in the society of Gilead and in The wife of bath. Briefly explain how the society effects both men and women. The privileges, the negatives and positives. Outline the hierachy, briefly outline whos at the top and whos at the bottom and also all in between. Generally talk about both soceities - pros and cons. Why status is needed

Subjugation of women. Different ways women are subjugated in the Handmaid's tale, Atwood - feminist views. Status is shown in uniform and colours. Different clothing between women for e.g. Econowives were colourful striped clothes to convey that they have more than one role, more than one purpose (cooking and cleaning). Clothing of men is different. Uniform and colours, a way to create segregation and division between people of Gilead. Every uniform conveys a certain role. "Black for the commander, blue for the commander's wife and the one assigned to me which is red".Explain in detail the system of the hierachy. Elaborate on the negatives and positives both with men and women. What it means to be a man in both societies and what it means to be a woman. Use quotes and pee's to justify points.

Dominance of men. Commanders being dominant in Gilead. Handmaid's take the name of their commanders. Shows the commander is in power. Commanders role in the household and the kind of relationship he has with Offred. The private relationship in the office. Use quotes to explain how specific women in the Handmaid's tale feel about the situation their in. Also quotes from men implying things about soceity. Also quotes from the wife of bath that show how people feel in the sort of society they are in. Roles of women in society. How that defines status, why? Who creates these jobs, rules, laws, restrictions. What happens if the job confined is not met? What are the threats and how does Gilead keep the society running 'smooth'. These different roles created- PATRIARCHAL SOCIETY.

Some of the people in society rebel - who does not follow the rules as they should? Jezebels, Serena, Handmaid - Offred, nick

What women have to do for men in the Handmaid's tale.