Since my last post, I have learned a bit more about where the main character is and how her society works. The main focus surrounding the society challenges the idea of feminism as well as balance between male and female relationships, and how religion - or any strong base of beliefs - can create a society that revolves around following the rules created by it. Honestly, to relate it most to something exists in our current society, it would be a sex cult, made up of a dominant male and many women all used for their bodies. There is a facade of respect the women earn from being treated the way they do; no touch from a man that is not the Commander, no catcalling, no contact with a man of your choosing, no casual sex, no marriage. The women view this as a positive thing because they see it as a choice of freedom, not of captivity. To me, it looks as though these women are kept in a bottle, hushed by the thick glass, and wanted for something they are forced to offer. There is a quick scene of the book where the main character calmly explains the Commander and his wife raping her, but giving it such mundane and usual detail that it feels there is no wrong and no evil, making it even more disturbing. It's interesting to hear the way she thinks throughout the book as well because she sounds almost out of body, and is very reflective and observatory when "speaking" to the reader. This book reminds me of the Divergent series because it's very similar in the way their society was created and is upheld: by a system of beliefs created and upheld by unknown founders. It has a twisted way of viewing the world and human nature, but seems to serve its purpose before being weakened by an opposing force. It is a controlled society that hold only a part of the world's population, after a war destroyed the rest, although that could be proven to be a lie. Also, both of the societies are driven, controlled, run on and by fear. I feel there is also a similarity between the book and world today in how usual we view causalities and devastating news, almost because it has become so common, so normal. Now issues such as gun control, discrimination, women's rights, equal pay, terrorism, and nuclear weapons are all being questioned and brought up constantly, not only because they are conversations which need to happen, but because they are always happening. A school shooting, an unarmed black man killed, innocent children living in war. All of these things are horrific and yet we all sit on our couches watching it unfold with no action taken. It's as if it is so normal, so easy that our brains don't understand what is being done to so many.
I will be commenting on Mariana and Maddi T.'s blog posts.
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The book is based in the near future of America where a Christian Totalitarian government takes over and fertility is highly looked upon, assuming has become very rare. Women are kept in some cage, but they view it as freedom because men can no longer harass them. Their society seems twisted like some sex cult and although they speak of it in a calm manner, is so disturbing when you look into it.
I have read a dystopian novel before, in fact there are multiple I have read. The Giver, Divergent, Insurgent, Fahrenheit 451, The Maze Runner, and The City of Ember. They were all books where people were being controlled, and had to find a way out of their society that could free them, truly. It's really interesting to examine the similarities between all of the various novels I have read with dystopian themes. All talk about an individual who is aware of what's going on, doesn't agree with it, and acts on their rebellion. For how imaginative each author is, the stories are actually extremely similar and relatable to each other. In The Handmaid's Tale, there are many similarities to other dystopian novels. It is based in a controlled society, and focuses on a main character who is at least suspicious of the activity going on around her. She speaks of the horrors happening in a controlled and calm manner, not seeming to realize the weight of what's going on, seeming desensitized to it all. This book does take place on Earth and in a near future, but was written in 1985, assuming now would be that future. I will be commenting on Mariana and Maddi T.'s blog posts. |