Topic Analysis
Was the fact that Jezebel’s even existed really such a shock? I don’t think so. There is absolutely no way that sex in this form could be completely taken out of a society, just look at the profits of today’s industries, some go down, but others people will never give up. Jezebel’s is a place where the Commanders go when they are “unsatisfied” with their lives. It provides a means of escape from the conformity that they had to endure and make sure everyone else did. It was the place where they didn’t have to worry about what others thought, because as soon as you walked in the door as a Commander, you became another face in the crowd. Outside, during the days, is seemed like it belonged in the “don’t ask, don’t tell” category, along with numerous other things looked down upon in Gilead.
Jezebel’s was also an escape for those women who, like Moira, were strong enough to resist the “good” parts of this society, while still being a part of what was normal, even if it was not know about by everyone. While, as a woman, there was still forced sex involved, it was probably much better than what the handmaids had to endure with the “ritual” or the Marthas who were looked upon as frumpy and mostly meaningless and dull. Jezebel’s was the one lace in Gilead where people could conform to the society, but still, in a small way, be their own person.
Quote Analysis
“And so I step up, into the darkness within; or else the light.”
throughout The Handmaid’s Tale, the idea of good and evil is bought up on a few occasions, and good or evil is exactly what the darkness and light in this quote are representing. This is the last line in the novel before the “Historical Notes”, and sums up the conflict that goes on within Offred throughout the novel. Offred is never fully towards one side or the other when speaking about her daily life, and as much as it seems that she wanted to keep with the beliefs of her old way of life, but some of her thoughts definently lean towards the belief systems that the Gileadean government is trying to instill into the citizens.
Offred also purposely, in her narration, brings up the question of whether this new way of life is better than the old in one main way. This is when she has flashbacks to when she lived in the “Red Center,” she continually questions whether or not the things that the Aunts told them about “old times’ or the Colonies are true and good, and she especially questions if the Aunts themselves are good, a subconscious question about the “darkness” or “lightness” of the government.
Thoughts
I thought that The Handmaid’s Tale was a very good book, an dI agreed with much of the social commentary that Atwood made. Firstly, extremism in any form (religious, political, or any other) can lead to bad things, anything from a closed mind to terrorism to a utopian society turned to a dystopian one. I understand being devoted to a religion or group, but there should always be room for someone to see the opposing point of view.
The part of the book that was my favorite was the last chapter, the “Historical Notes.” As much as the rest of the novel made you think about the author’s views, this last chapter showed how dark she thought our future, or possibly even present, could be. She shows how ridiculous it looks when people take something so serious (in this case Gileadean society) and make it light and amusing conversation (shown by the laughter and applause throughout the speech). It was amazing to read this, and then look at the serious subjects in our society today and see how people try to make them lighter, more easily digestible topics, or even small pieces of information.
