THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HANDMAIDS
In the novel The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, the Handmaids are viewed as the lowest of society. These women are the only fertile women in all of Gilead, yet are oppressed heavily. The story is told from the point of view of Offred, a handmaid living in Gilead. While this book centers around a feminist theme, Offred does not seem to be a heavy feminist; as she had often felt uncomfortable with her mother’s activism and her old relationship with Luke began when she became his mistress. Offred's best friend and confident is Ofglen, who is a member of the Gilead resistance. The significant oppression towards these handmaids is very prominent throughout the book, and allows Atwood to channel her message of feminine oppression to the reader. An example of this oppression can be found in a passage where Offred vaguely remembers what she looks like since she cannot look in a mirror, and signifies her one chance at surviving because she is fertile. "I am thirty-three years old. I have brown hair. I stand five seven without shoes. I have trouble remembering what I used to look like. I have viable ovaries. I have one more chance" (143). The purpose of Offred being so distant and undescriptive with her appearance is to represent all of the handmaids forced into this occupation and shift the focus onto how all handmaids feel. Although, Offred is different from the other handmaids. Throughout the book, Offred provides flashbacks to her prior life which allow her to hold onto her individuality. An example of this unique individuality are the small acts of rebellion Offred performs. Offred firsts tastes this small power and control over her life when she steals butter from dinner to use as lotion, which is forbidden. Another act of rebellion in order to feel control is Offred's contemplation of stealing the Commander's pen. “The pen between my fingers is sensuous, alive almost. I can feel its power, the power of the words it contains. Pen is Envy, Aunt Lydia would say, quoting another Center motto, warning us away from such objects. And they were right, it is envy. Just holding it is envy. I envy the Commander his pen. It’s one more thing I would like to steal” (186). These small asides from Offred truly reveal her view on everything Gilead has done to her. Through these asides, the reader is able to better understand Offred. She takes small comfort with these acts of everyday rebellion because it is her way of taking back the power stolen from her. Offred views stealing as her reward; the ability to have some control over her life. The stealing of the butter is a very small part of the book, but further analysis allows the reader to understand that Offred does in fact still carry hope. Stealing the butter as a use for lotion is the most important act of rebellion for her, because with each act of rebellion Offred is able to gain a small dose of power. While Offred seems hopeless a lot throughout the book, these small rebellious scenes assure the reader that Offred is still hanging on to the hope she has left. The other passage serves the same purpose as the first stealing act, but on a larger scale since she contemplates stealing from the Commander. Offred envisions stealing this pen because she envies the power of the written word. This power to write, especially with a stolen pen belonging to the Commander, would most likely satisfy all her power-driven needs. Through the importance of her rebellious acts, the reader learns of Offred’s longing for power and need for individuality. While she is not a flat-out rebel like Moira, Offred takes small acts of defiance to satisfy herself. The reader is able to understand the impact of what has been taken from Offred and realize that Offred is still hanging on to her hope. It is with these acts of rebellion that drive her hope; and the hope drives her survival. Margaret Atwood uses the handmaids in order to show how important feminism is, as well as display what could happen if we lose sight of gender equality.