I find it interesting how various events throughout the story are given "nice" names that attempt to make the actual events seem less frightening. For example, "Pravaganza" gives the event an extravagant feel. It sounds like an extravaganza, full of fun and excitement all around. But the actual gathering is an arranged marriage that forces girls as young as 14 years old into a marriage. Another word I noted is "Particicution", which entails the execution of a man that involves the Handmaids. The word itself does not seem very harmful at first glance, but the separation into its two parts proves otherwise. It seems to be a concatenation of participate and execution, representing how the Handmaids actually participate in the execution of the man by beating him to death.
I felt confused about why the "the club" can still operate. It seems to be a dark secret of Gilead that is technically forbidden but still accepted among the populace, even the Eyes, who allow Moira to become a prostitute. I think the secrecy is meant to maintain the illusion of order in the society, despite the existence of such a club.
The author seems to really like the usage of putting a halo on even the most satanic character in her story. But I guess she's only utilizing manipulation to surround the public with illusions of justice and good so that they do not question those with authority. Just like what we discussed a while back in class about how humans tend to like control and are willingly to do anything to obtain power,Margaret Atwood portrays that side of human nature well.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, when I read the word 'particicution', I just thought, 'hmm, execute, ' but I had no idea what. I knew they were going to do something, I just didn't know they were going to have the Handmaids kill a man with their bare hands. That surprised me, too. But in this way, Gilead has more control of the Handmaids where they've actually participated in the society that took away their freedom and rights and with the guilt that they receive from killing a man so they must abide by th rules and fulfill their position so that maybe the guilt will away.