Blog #6

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.

Blog #5

This book is reminding me of a dystopian movie I saw called Equilibrium. In the film, the society of Libria has outlawed all emotions on the basis that human emotions are the main cause of all the world's turmoil. They sacrifice the good emotions of happiness for the elimination of the bad emotions, such as sadness and anger. The founders of Libria argue that sadness and anger result in violence and suffering. Thus they require every citizen to take a daily dosage of a drug called Prozium, which suppresses the human emotions. The citizens of Gilead are also forced to take a "drug" to suppress their human characteristics. This drug is their own fear instilled by the authorities through various means such as the Wall decorated with the corpses of dissenters and threats of forced labor in the Colonies. They also may have spread rumors about various failed attempts at escape in order to discourage those considering fleeing the society.

Blog #4

It seems like Offred and the other Handmaids are not the only ones sad about the society. I found it interesting to have found out that the Commander was not very happy with the circumstances. He sees the unethical treatment of the lower class women and feels guilty for it. He tries to make himself feel better by giving Offred a time to be a normal human being while in his study. I wonder how Serena Joy feels about the state of the society. She probably has some pangs of guilt and sympathy for the servant-women. She also seems to be extremely bored with all the laws and regulations preventing her from doing things she enjoys. It seems like the people could technically rebel against the highest authorities. They would most likely have the power of numbers, from the lowest women up to the Commanders and perhaps even the Guardians and Angels. Even the doctor whom Offred visited earlier in the book seems unhappy, offering to help her out in whatever way he could.

Blog #3

I find it interesting how far mankind will go to ensure its survival. In The Handmaid's Tale, fertile women are forced into a life of imprisonment for the singular purpose of childbearing. Humans will essential enslave and rape many fertile women all for the sake of continuing the human race. They create many laws that they claim to be divine as justification for their actions towards these women. However, because these women are fertile and carry the potential of the continuation of human existence, they are treated better than the other petty maids that simply do housework. Furthermore, those handmaids that are pregnant are revered even more, sometimes drawing envy from the other women. Why does the society require them to be subservient citizens? Why not allow the fertile women to become Wives? This would encourage reproduction even further and fulfill the purpose of the society more efficiently. The women would not have to face demeaning circumstances, and the society in general would be happier.

Blog #2

The narrator seems to narrate her story in a stream-of-consciousness style. She often speaks of the present situation and something prompts her memory to talk about past situations and her escapades with Luke in her former life. She then rants on for a page or so, only to return to her reality and deal with her present problems. She also make statements that seem to be random. She makes jokes about the topic in this way. Quite frankly, I find this style of narration to be very amusing. I enjoy finding out more about the background and context of the story, as well as life before the Republic of Gilead, in this manner.
Religion also seems to play a major role in the story. The society may have been founded with a basis on religion. However, the founders emphasized the story of Jacob and Leah in order to justify the necessity of adultery. Leah offers her handmaid to Jacob because of her infertility. Similarly, the wives of Gilead offer their handmaids to their husbands to continue the human race.

Blog #1

This book seems to be interesting so far. I have a hunch that I will end up liking The Left Hand of Darkness better though. Anyhow, this society seems to be a dystopia, with very few people actually happy. The society appears to be an America where ultra-religious and conservative peoples have taken over. Overall I find it quite confusing. I can't understand how the society was established. From the few observations I made, it seems that fertility in women is a rather precious trait that is revered in the story. Other women seem to envy those who are pregnant or even scowl at the handmaids in their red garb. It seems to imply the handmaids, especially those who are pregnant, are rather priveleged in the society. But this raises the question of how the wife (Serena Joy) came to her superior status. Perhaps she was a handmaid who had bore children already. Another confusing part was when the handmaids passed by the Wall. One of those hanged was a doctor, and from the reading it seemed like he had performed an abortion on a woman. This confused me because pregnancy is supposed to be a desirable thing in the society.