The Handmaids Tale

The Handmaids Tale

Reading of Handmaid

The Handmaids Tale presents a futuristic society in which men and women do not have an emotional relationship.   They need one another only for procreation.   Men are represented as powerful and self-sufficient.   Women are relegated to the position of servants.   The intricacies of this society are examined through the characters of Offred and the Commander.   By describing their daily lives, Atwood suggests that there are underlying problems in the Republic of Gilead relationships.   She uses the Scrabble scene to symbolize that the characters needs are greater than society is able to meet.   Through great risk the Commander seeks to change his relationship with Offred and therefore, take a small step toward changing society.  
Offred is summoned to the Commander's room for unknown reasons.   A plethora of possibilities go through her mind about why he would break the rules to see her.   As she enters his office she notices his position and the serious tone of his body language.   "I think I will cry,"(178) Offred thinks as she takes a seat.   She is trapped in a sticky situation internally.   She is obliged to go to the Commanders room at night, regardless if she doesn't want to break the rules. Because of this new relationship, Offred is exposed to many new feelings and insights. Many of these feelings are uncomfortable and confusing.   She does not know what to expect next.   More important, Offred knows she is expendable to the Commander.
From this situation Offred is given a new role as a handmaid.   She is not only needed for her ovaries, but also wanted for her mind.   The Commander uses her for himself, which is selfish yet Offred has an opportunity for Offred to open her mind as she once used to.   She gains a new confidence and acquires a new sense about herself and her situation as a handmaid.   Offred is not allowed to speak about her situation but has the ability to look at herself differently.   She now has new meaning in the house, and a...