Sunday, 14 November 2010
Nick's Monologue
I am excited. I haven’t felt like this in a very long time. This is going to be fun. How can it be that I am going to be so close to Offred. I would only ever dream for that to happen. Sometimes I would touch her leg or wink at her. But that’s it. That’s the furthest we ever got. I could tell though that she has something there for me. I know she does. That flame, that spark, that desire to be loved, maybe through physical means? Or emotionally…I don’t know. All I know is we have this attraction that draws us towards each other more and more. Maybe its love, maybe its lust, maybe it’s nothing! No. Actually, it is something. I am pretty sure of that. So now, I have been waiting for a very long time and the time for going into her room is slowly approaching. I’ve never been this nervous before, yet confident at the same time. Is it normal to feel this way? Is it normal to feel two emotions at once? I guess so. The wait is over. I step into her room. Everyone is sleeping; it’s dark outside and also dark in the room. I can tell from the way Offred is lying on the bed that she has been waiting for this moment too. She has been waiting as eagerly as I have. Oh wow, she looks so tempting. Well, I wouldn’t have to resist her any longer. I guess the time has come, to fulfil this need that I have. I could also call it a ‘want’. I want and need her. Why am I still waiting? This is it…
Sunday, 7 November 2010
A letter from a Commander's wife to Serena Joy
Dear Serena Joy,
I am writing to you in hope of recieving a reply very soon! I hope you are doing well. I was thinking of getting in touch with you ealier than the time it has come to but I have been so occupied with numerous other things such as knitting and organising a birthday party, I will be explaining to you further on in the letter.
Since I have finally found the time, I thought it would be perfect to reconnect with you and see how you have been. Are you gradually becoming better and better at knitting? I have to say, many of my friends have complimented the fine definition they have witnessed in the way I knit, something I have learnt to do over time. What kind of hobbies do you have Serena? Apart from knitting, it will be interesting to know if you have any amusing skills!
I would just like to add Serena, I absoloutley despise all Handmaids! Has you're Handmaid conceived yet? Oh, how painful it is to be watching such intimacy between the Handmaid and the Commander. It pierces right through me, but then I remember it is all for a good cause. I want a child, I want someone I can bring up, I want to be a mother so why not? There is no harm, right... there is no loss, just gain. So, I forget about my emotional pain and look at the brigther side. The Handmaid at my house is called OfSola. What is yours called? It is rather a peculiar question but I just suddenly felt interested in asking you!
I drove around some areas of Gilead after I was allowed the permission of my Commander. It was nice to get a breath of fresh air! It gives me a content, good feeling. To see the blue clear sky and some nature still present in Gilead. Takes me into another world, a world not so different, but yet still very different. I felt a deep adrelanine rush through me with excitement as I remembered that it is my birthday very soon! So here goes the invite...
Serena, my dear friend, you are invited! I would love it if you can come! It is on the 24th of July, I would appreciate it so much if you would be able to attend. As you know, you are one of my close friends and I would be very much dishearted if you can't be present on such a special day. All the wives will be getting together, sharing laughter and having a good time, I want you to be there, to be a part of it all. It has been a very long time since we have all congregated and I thought my birthday would be a perfect excuse just for that to take place!
Looking forward to reading you're reply Serena.
Take care of yourself,
Noor Solaa
I am writing to you in hope of recieving a reply very soon! I hope you are doing well. I was thinking of getting in touch with you ealier than the time it has come to but I have been so occupied with numerous other things such as knitting and organising a birthday party, I will be explaining to you further on in the letter.
Since I have finally found the time, I thought it would be perfect to reconnect with you and see how you have been. Are you gradually becoming better and better at knitting? I have to say, many of my friends have complimented the fine definition they have witnessed in the way I knit, something I have learnt to do over time. What kind of hobbies do you have Serena? Apart from knitting, it will be interesting to know if you have any amusing skills!
I would just like to add Serena, I absoloutley despise all Handmaids! Has you're Handmaid conceived yet? Oh, how painful it is to be watching such intimacy between the Handmaid and the Commander. It pierces right through me, but then I remember it is all for a good cause. I want a child, I want someone I can bring up, I want to be a mother so why not? There is no harm, right... there is no loss, just gain. So, I forget about my emotional pain and look at the brigther side. The Handmaid at my house is called OfSola. What is yours called? It is rather a peculiar question but I just suddenly felt interested in asking you!
I drove around some areas of Gilead after I was allowed the permission of my Commander. It was nice to get a breath of fresh air! It gives me a content, good feeling. To see the blue clear sky and some nature still present in Gilead. Takes me into another world, a world not so different, but yet still very different. I felt a deep adrelanine rush through me with excitement as I remembered that it is my birthday very soon! So here goes the invite...
Serena, my dear friend, you are invited! I would love it if you can come! It is on the 24th of July, I would appreciate it so much if you would be able to attend. As you know, you are one of my close friends and I would be very much dishearted if you can't be present on such a special day. All the wives will be getting together, sharing laughter and having a good time, I want you to be there, to be a part of it all. It has been a very long time since we have all congregated and I thought my birthday would be a perfect excuse just for that to take place!
Looking forward to reading you're reply Serena.
Take care of yourself,
Noor Solaa
Monday, 1 November 2010
The Handmaid's tale - Top three features
1) About loss, e.g. of freedom, mothers and children
This is what best describes the novel according to me because theres a strong sense of loss amongst the females in the society. The econowives are in financial loss. The handmaid's are confined to one job, their role is to serve the ones in authority by reproducing future generations. They are used as sexual instruments. The handmaid's are in loss of their dignity, self respect and piety. There is no freedom for women, they either do what their told or be sent to the colonies to work their until they die, the colonies are waste land after the happening of war. There are oil spills in that site and also other gunk which the unwanted people of the society of Gilead have to clean up.
2) About male power and conflict
There is a huge status gap between men and women in the society of Gilead. Men are in power and authority, women have no say, they do what they are told, there is no option for them. Even the women of high status, the commander's wives have no say in anything, they do what their husbands require them to. All the power is handed onto men, the society is run by men, the rules and regulations are made by men. Everything benefits them. It is a capitalist society, conveying the exact status of people, this cause conflict between the upper and lower class. Upper class have different rights compared to lower class.
3) About the exploitation of women
This is what best describes the novel according to me because theres a strong sense of loss amongst the females in the society. The econowives are in financial loss. The handmaid's are confined to one job, their role is to serve the ones in authority by reproducing future generations. They are used as sexual instruments. The handmaid's are in loss of their dignity, self respect and piety. There is no freedom for women, they either do what their told or be sent to the colonies to work their until they die, the colonies are waste land after the happening of war. There are oil spills in that site and also other gunk which the unwanted people of the society of Gilead have to clean up.
2) About male power and conflict
There is a huge status gap between men and women in the society of Gilead. Men are in power and authority, women have no say, they do what they are told, there is no option for them. Even the women of high status, the commander's wives have no say in anything, they do what their husbands require them to. All the power is handed onto men, the society is run by men, the rules and regulations are made by men. Everything benefits them. It is a capitalist society, conveying the exact status of people, this cause conflict between the upper and lower class. Upper class have different rights compared to lower class.
3) About the exploitation of women
Women are exploited in the society of Gilead. They are used for certain requirements to make the society 'better'. Before the war commenced, the poor men that had legal wives got to keep their wives after the war. These wives were called econowives, they serve the needs for 'other kind of women' while the handmaid's have a different role. The handmaids....
Thursday, 30 September 2010
The doctor in The handmaid's Tale
Offred visits the doctor regularly to be checked for any diseases ( for example: sexually transmitted deseases ), complications or difficulties. After Offred fornicates with the Commander first time, she gets herself checked by the doctor. The doctor offers to have sex with her to get pregnant implying that the Commander is probably infertile. This conveys the Doctor in a very unprofessional light because he offers his PATIENT to have sexual intercourse with him. The Doctor makes it seem like it's for beneficial reasons, just so Offred gets pregnant but it also implies a sense of sexual desires being formed by the Doctor. It makes his character look 'loose' and 'immodest' because it is not normal for a Doctor to get intimate with his Patient.
The doctor also makes Offred uneasy, this suggests that his body language is not simple and clear to read and that he wants more than just a check up with Offred. This further shows the Doctor's mentality, the fact that he offers to have sex with Offred to get her pregnant expresses how he would go to extreme lengths to gain pleasure. The Doctor has no concern that if Offred falls pregnant because of him, he will be half responsible and in realistic terms the baby will be his but he is ready to form a baby and forget about it. This illustrates that he is someone who probably does this on a regular basis and has overtime built up a careless attitude towards it. Offred refuses to be initmate with the Doctor and having done that saves herself from getting sent away.
The doctor also makes Offred uneasy, this suggests that his body language is not simple and clear to read and that he wants more than just a check up with Offred. This further shows the Doctor's mentality, the fact that he offers to have sex with Offred to get her pregnant expresses how he would go to extreme lengths to gain pleasure. The Doctor has no concern that if Offred falls pregnant because of him, he will be half responsible and in realistic terms the baby will be his but he is ready to form a baby and forget about it. This illustrates that he is someone who probably does this on a regular basis and has overtime built up a careless attitude towards it. Offred refuses to be initmate with the Doctor and having done that saves herself from getting sent away.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
More in epigraphs
Biblical Allusion
The Bible is a collection of books that outlines the beliefs and teachings of christians. This holy book is a guide for living life the fullest, in the right way for Christians. The Biblical teachings tie in with other religions as well, such as Islam and Judaism. It is a collection of 66 books all containing the different messages of living life peacefully.
The quotation in the epigraph does not offer a sound model for a happy life as the situation is utterly unfair.
The Bible is a collection of books that outlines the beliefs and teachings of christians. This holy book is a guide for living life the fullest, in the right way for Christians. The Biblical teachings tie in with other religions as well, such as Islam and Judaism. It is a collection of 66 books all containing the different messages of living life peacefully.
The quotation in the epigraph does not offer a sound model for a happy life as the situation is utterly unfair.
Epigraphs in The Handmaid's Tale
There are three epigraphs in the beginning of the book, The Handmaid's Tale.
First:
And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath witheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
- Genesis, 30:1-3
This epigraph conveys the importance of having children. It is so vital that there is a story in the Bible to get across this message. Women could reach upto extreme levels to have children even in that era. So extreme, that they would find it normal for their husband to sleep with another woman as shown in the Biblical story. This act would otherwise would be labelled as adultery if the wife had not known or told her husband to do so.
Second:
But as to myself, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal . . .
- Jonathan Swift, A Modest Proposal
This epigraph means that after being through hard, unbearable cirumstances, something good suddenly comes along. This means, after something bad there is always something good. After hard times, there are good times. After every hardship, there's relief. The mind only starts working at it's best once it realises it's in danger.
Third:
In the desert there is no sign that says, Thou shalt not eat stones.
-Sufi proverb
This epigraph can mean several things. I personally believe it means that you don't necessarily need instructions to do something you want to do. If in life, you think you have to do something, you should go ahead and do it.
First:
And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath witheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
- Genesis, 30:1-3
This epigraph conveys the importance of having children. It is so vital that there is a story in the Bible to get across this message. Women could reach upto extreme levels to have children even in that era. So extreme, that they would find it normal for their husband to sleep with another woman as shown in the Biblical story. This act would otherwise would be labelled as adultery if the wife had not known or told her husband to do so.
Second:
But as to myself, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal . . .
- Jonathan Swift, A Modest Proposal
This epigraph means that after being through hard, unbearable cirumstances, something good suddenly comes along. This means, after something bad there is always something good. After hard times, there are good times. After every hardship, there's relief. The mind only starts working at it's best once it realises it's in danger.
Third:
In the desert there is no sign that says, Thou shalt not eat stones.
-Sufi proverb
This epigraph can mean several things. I personally believe it means that you don't necessarily need instructions to do something you want to do. If in life, you think you have to do something, you should go ahead and do it.
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