Choose a quote from the book that really speaks or stands out to you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book, and its value to you.- Angel Patino

Choose a quote from the book that really speaks or stands out to you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book, and its value to you.

The quote that I choose from the book was "I did sit, on the edge of one of the stiff-backed chair. I didn't want to stare around the room, I didn't want to appear inattentive to her." In this instance, she was talking to the wife of a higher power. She showed respect by  try not to let her eyes wander and make her seem suspicious."  This really stood out to me the most from the book because it is comparable to the society we have in place today. It is to show that in the society we have established today is that there is fear. We fear other people because of where they stand in society, because of their influence on society.  Fear to speak for one;'s personal feelings because of the fear of  a punishment. This has a very important value in "The Handmaid's Tail". The reason this has value in this book is because it is meant to explain to the audience what the society is like in the novel. It is meant to show what an individual in the novel is feeling towards the people who have set themselves at the top of the society they live in. The value it has to me is not huge. I think that it is just meant to show what type of society we have today as well as in the book, "The Handmaid's Tail". I just felt like this did a good job of showing that a dystopia that was written can relate to today. And this really does match both worlds.  This made me think deeply about today's society and see how in a bad state we are in. It made me realize that not everyone will speak for themselves. There will be some that are too scared, and do not want to risk any consquences. 

What is the one thing the writer makes you curious about? Why?

While reading this book, the author makes me curious about many things. The number one thing that the author makes me curious about is the backstory about how the world got to be the way that is is. As I am reading, I am slowly starting to understand, but I am still curious about why society has dramatically changed. In chapter twenty-eight, the director of the company in which the main chapter worked says, "'Not fired,' he said. 'Let go. You can’t work here any more, it’s the law.'" While reading this part, I wanted to know more about why it was against the law for women to have jobs. I want to know why women were treated with less respect than men. I am very curious about what the world was like before the dystopian world occurred and what made the world that way. Why are women nly god for baring children and if they can't bare children, why is that such a bad thing? In general, I am curious about the rights that women used to have and the rights that they have now. While I continue to read, I hope that the author explains in more detail about the past and what makes the present the way it is. I am curious about these things because I want to know more about the book and the past. I also would like to know the author's motives behind writing The Handmaid's Tale and why it has taken the author many chapters to start explaining the past.

Express your thoughts to the following statement: The governing body should be allowed to do whatever they feel is necessary to protect its citizens.

The governing bodies best interest should always be keeping their inhabitants happy, safe, and healthy. Where keeping people healthy could restrict their happiness, it is vital for the progression of the civilization and humankind. The major issue I have with this statement is that the opinions of the government frequently clash with the citizen’s. In The Handmaid’s Tale, the handmaid’s lives are restricted to following orders and giving children to couples like Serena Joy and the Commander. Where the government wants to protect the population and give couples children, it sucks the joy and personalities from these women. On page sixty nine it is established that they cannot read from the Bible unless the Commander reads it to them. Where the government is pursuing rules that allow children to be born, they also restrict major parts of people’s lives. They take their “helping hand” too far and it causes a distinct hatred towards them. The government should be allowed to help the people see the best course of action but they shouldn’t be allowed to restrict anyone from doing something as simple as reading, owning their own clothes, and choosing what to eat. I think that voting and open conversations should and could be used to equalize the people and the government with major decisions that they have to make. If we were honest about the issues we have, the people would be okay with giving up some of our happiness at the sake of our health. The government can have an influential say in what the citizens should do to keep themselves healthy, but they have to be restricted somehow. Undefined and unlimited power could become dangerous and ruin lives, civilizations, and even countries.

What is the one thing the writer makes you curious about? Why? - Alesiah Ward

Throughout some chapters, the protagonist has flashbacks about a boy named Luke and her daughter that was taken from her. In chapter seven she remembers things like being in a dorm room, Good memories of being a child and being with her mom. She also remembers seeing this image of her daughter holding a ladies hand. Some of her memories or flashbacks are good but some are bad. Another memory is in chapter ten and twelve where she remembers how girls use to wear bathing suits to show skin. I am mostly curious about where her daughter is now. In chapter twelve she thinks about how her she really doesn't have any memories of her daughter and how she thinks that her daughter is dead. She has been brainwashed by “Aunt Lydia” because she says that they should not be attached to things and should let them go. When I think of her daughter that was stolen from her I immediately start to thinking “what if her daughter is becoming a handmaid”?. She has continuous flashbacks about her daughter because that is her own flesh and blood. Most mothers would hate to have their child taken away in such a painful time, so of course she will have the flashbacks. The protagonist also has many flashbacks about how Gilead was before all the rules and childbearing because they were the good days where they were all free. All of the things that I have mentioned deals with her flashbacks because obviously she likes to visit her memories due to her current situations.

Express your thoughts to the following statement: The governing body should be allowed to do whatever they feel is necessary to protect its citizens.

When I first read the statement that was given, I began to feel mixed emotions and I could not tell exactly how I felt about it. After reading it a few times over, I began to see more clearly how I felt about it. What I would like to say about this statement is that I disagree with it. I do not think that any governing body should be able to have enough power that they can do anything under the sun. I can understand how some may think that it would be good for the government to want to do anything to protect it's citizens. However, while I think that the motive of the government may be good, I do not think that one governing body is going to truly have everyone's best interest in mind. This can be connected back to the Handmaid's Tale because there are different roles for everyone (commanders, handmaids, etc.) Different roles in this dystopian society get treated differently. I feel as though there is differing amounts of freedom amongst the citizens, who have different roles, and I do not think that is fair. Even if the ulterior motive of what the governing body was trying to accomplish in the beginning was good, I do not think that the loss of freedom is a good thing that comes along with it. I do not think that I will ever be able to agree with this statement because when someone or some group is allowed to do anything, I believe that their power is going taken advantage of.

What is the one thing the writer makes you curious about? Why?

In The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood, the author, makes me curious of why she hasn't mentioned the main character's name. The author has mentioned other handmaid's names but not the main character's. Margaret Atwood has mentioned characters like Aunt Sara, Aunt Elizabeth,  Aunt Lydia, Alma, Janine, Dolores, Moira, and June. All within the first chapter, but not the main character's name. The author also mentions characters from the protagonist  past, like her husband, Luke. She also mentions her friend, Moira. Even the characters that dislike the handmaid are named. It really bothers me that the author has not named her yet. I know there is a better reason than suspense. I think that the author has not named the main character yet because handmaids are not thought of as a high class in the dystopia. Though other handmaids have been named, the main character is the one that will change others of her "kind" thoughts on how they are treated. Maybe the main character's name will stand as a symbol later on in the book. Like a rebel group or somewhere along those lines. It could also be that so far throughout the book, the main character does not and can not say what she thinks out loud. Therefore, what is the point of naming someone who does not have a voice? The character seems to think that she has no power in her “home”, which in her societies she does not, therefore the author has not named her yet until she makes the character feel alive again. There could be a million reasons of why Margaret Atwood has not named the main character yet, but those were just some of my thoughts.

Choose a symbol that the author has created in the novel. What is the symbol, what does it represent, and why do you think the author incorporated it in his/her novel?

In The Handmaid's Tale there is several symbols that are found in chapters one through twelve. For example, the most influential symbol in the book is the "torso". Which the narrator deeply talks about within chapter eleven. The discussion of Offred's torso begins with the doctor's inappropriate behavior. He talks to Offered when it is forbidden, and calls her names such as "honey". This represents the issue in which women aren't allowed to have feelings, or a true identity. During the book, the identity of the author shows a main importance for symbolism in the book. Offered states, "that the night is mine", or "There has to be some space, finally, that I claim is mine." From the very beginning, we see that the narrator is trying to provide a sense of ownership in a world that does not recognize these things. Her doctors visit is abnormal to modern day doctors visits. Offered has a sheet that hangs from the ceiling to hide her face; which provides a boundary of not being able to talk to the doctor. However, he continues to talk to her, and tries to importantly sway her to his services. He is full of lust and sympathy for her. The author provides this in the book because the torso deeply shows more into absorbing thoughts, ideas, and how the character supports himself. In fact, Offred, is short with the doctor. On page 53 Offred states, "It's too dangerous. I say. "No I can't. The penalty is death...". She has no control over her body, and what she wishes to do with it because of the possible punishments. The quote shows how the Gilead controls what the women do with their personal bodies. Overall, the symbolism of the torso is used to express to the readers that the man controls the women. The doctor has the power over her, and the author directly shows how she is violated without options of being able to speak her mind.

What happens to “the individual” in a dystopia? - Ray'Jhean O'Neal

When people are forced to conform to a dystopian society, they have options on how they can deal with it. The can grieve and mope, and practically kill themselves emotionally. They also have the option to accept their new life. A person can realize that life now as how it is going to remain, and the past is just the past.
No matter what, the person is constantly haunted by memories from their previous life. In The Handmaid's Tale, the main character says she randomly gets flashes of memories from the past. She says they are like dreams and if she does not know if what she imagines is true.However, she is astonished at the way she used to live because her life now seems normal, and her past seems unreal. She feels as if she is a new person, and I believe she is because her life was completely turned around. I believe in order to 'survive,' you must adapt to the new lifestyle and the people are forced to make that choice. This can be applied to real life as well. Our society today is different that what was in the past. Change is always occurring, whether good or bad. We must choose to adjust to it or we will be constantly unhappy in our lives, just like in dystopian societies. What you believe in may change, also. Just because you did not agree with an idea before, you may change your mind based on the society you live in.

Choose a quote from the book that really speaks or stands out to you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book, and its value to you.

One quote from The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood that stood out to me was located in chapter 10. It is "Things, the word she used when whatever it stood for was too distasteful or filthy or horrible to pass her lips. A successful life for her was one that avoided things, excluded things." I decided to choose this quote because when I first saw it while reading, it spoke to me. After reading, I was left thinking about this. It reminded me of people who never get to live their life because they are scared of unfavorable outcomes that they may end up facing. Personally, I do not want to have any what-if's at the end of my life, and for some reason, even though the quote is talking about filthy things, I thought of people who were afraid to go out in the world and live. I have only began to read this book and I am around ten to eleven chapters in, so my idea of what I think the significance of this quote is to the book might be skewed. As of right now, I believe that the significance of the quote that I chose to The Handmaid's Tale relates back to how the main character is going to end up helping change her society. I believe when the quote mentions the bit about what a successful life entails, it shows the opposite of how the protagonist thinks. This links back to the story because it could be foreshadowing what the main character wants to do to justify her dystopia.

What is the one thing the writer makes you curious about? Why?

When reading this book towards the beginning the author just gives a detailed overview of the setting and basically what is going on. The maid or main character is in a world that has changed in the aspect of laws and believes, as it is designed in their mind to be the perfect world. There are many things that make this place a dystopia and they are the laws by which they are ruled and rights and wrongs that are in this world are described by the main character by explaining her situation and daily life. As she does this she basically gives a general description by saying "back then" but does not really explain why things have change into this type of dystopia for what I have read so far. I am curios as to what was the reason for the change in ways of society by rule of law. I am also curios about how the different people are chosen to do the different jobs. For example, there are the women that are not allowed to reproduce or even have a relationship and then there are those that their only job is to reproduce. I see that even though things have changed the people are not completely brainwashed as the main character is still able to remember a few things. I know this because she still gives her thought on her situation and the situation of the others. Even though she thinks about the past and how things have changed she is still acting like the rest and goes by the law by saying she is happy even though she only saying that because she does not want to brae the law and be defiant. The author is leaving many things unclear so there are many things that are left unanswered but hopefully that changes.

What happens to “the individual” in a dystopia?- Angel Patino

In the "Handmaid's Tale," the individual in the book is kept under surveillance and has little to no freedom for herself. The individual in the book has rules. The individual is allowed to roam the streets but she has to have a pass, as well as have a specific reason for leaving like groceries, etc. The individual character in the story has to demonstrate respect to those of higher ranking. An example from the text is, "I did sit, on the edge of one of the stiff-backed chair. I didn't want to stare around the room, I didn't want to appear inattentive to her." In this instance, she was talking to the wife of a higher power. She showed respect by  try not to let her eyes wander and make her seem suspicious. This is evidence that while the individual was not kept as a total prisoner she still had to show respect. She also had to follow rules, one of the rules was that she was to keep to herself and not show too much of her body as well as try to keep to herself by trying to keep away from the guys as she could.   Evidence from the text to support my claim is, "He takes a final puff of the cigarette, lets it drop to the driveway , and steps on it. He begins to whistle. Then he winks." And her response to this was "I drop my head and turn so that the white wings hide my face, and keep walking." Meaning that she had to be careful and could not seek relationships for she had her own rules to follow. The individual in this novel is not having the best of times based on the novel. The individual in this novel so far, there is nothing too drastic that has happened to the character that has impacted her dramatically. As of now she has introduced the audience to her lifestyle. 

What are the necessary components of a functioning and fair society? - Alesiah Ward

In my opinion, the most important component of a functioning and fair society is freedom. Having freedom is important to me because I have freedom to do or say what I want without having to listen to a "higher power". But personally in this society now I don't think we have freedom as they say we do. Two other necessary components would be fairness and equality. In The Handmaid's Tale, the girls are forced to dress alike, act a certain way, never to talk to males, have forced labors, no freedom and more. While the males don't really have those type of rules in their society. The males are like the security of the society. They really can't touch the girls or socialize with the girls but that is only because they have to become a certain age and get permission to marry. In our society, we might not have the rules that they have in the book but girls are expected to act and behave in a certain way based off our society today. Back then for example in churches girls had to wear long skirts that went to their ankles and then they could wear skirts that came to their knees. Some churches or certain religions are still like that but some have become less strict. In the 21st-century schools, girls can't even wear tank tops because they think that it may be appealing to guys.

What factors and/or situations combined to create your book’s dystopia? Why and how did the society evolve into a dystopia? How could it have been prevented from becoming a dystopia?What message (or warning) do you think the author is trying to send to our current society?

The situation or factor that all together created the book's dystopia is the ultimate value of life. Throughout the beginning of the book it is seen that only certain people are allowed to conceive children. For example, when Offred was shopping she noticed that Janine, her old friend, was pregnant and everyone within the store was jealous of her pregnancy. The job of the handmaids are to specifically only bear children from the commander, whereas the commander's wife or the martha's aren't allowed to give birth. The book also describes how the doctors who previously completed abortions were persecuted and hung on the "wall" for their punishment. It is understood that the reasoning was because of the abortions because each body has a picture of a fetus hanging from their neck. Also, Offred wasn't worried about her husband when she saw all of the hanging bodies because she knew that her husband wasn't a doctor so he wouldn't be able to do that horrid task. I feel as though the fact that lives of all sizes or ages matter through the society and it is seen as a major crime if someone were to take that away. For example, that is why all of the doctors that took away lives were hung and they set aside women to only be allowed to bring life into this world as the only thing that they are allowed to do. The author is trying to send the message that we need should be undervaluing life or taking it for granted.

What aspects of a dystopia does our current society have? Do these characteristics have the potential to expand? What should be done to stop it?

I think one major societal problem of this age, and the previous ages is the way society views women. Though women have come a long way throughout the century, there are still stereotyping, a pay cut, and a general "rule" of how women should act. There have become many movements to spark a change, but have they really worked? There have been many instances where women have prominently stood out, rebelled, and it worked. These include Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Malala Yousafzai, Michelle Obama, Sophia Bush, and many more. After so many years of women not having the rights that they deserve, it is hard to push for a complete change. There have not only been good changes with this, though. From the perspective of a teenage girl in the 21st century, I constantly hear, women jokes, women remarks, and I see the complications of it. I have even seen a Twitter account mainly directed towards “meninists.” It completely mocks the feminist view, and turns it into a complete joke. I think that it is constantly becoming more and more of a joke to many men (definitely not all!), so much to a point that it may become worse than it started. I think to stop it, what women want the most should be given; to have equality through everything. This would not only mean through the things that would benefit them, but through all things. Women are not trying to become superior, they are trying to become equal, and that is what they are trying to prove.

What is one thing the writer makes you curious About? Why?

While I was reading the first few chapters of the book I came across a point in which made me as the reader very curious.  It was when the pregnant lady walks in the store and everyone is looking at her and then they say " She is closer to death" which got me to thinking what happens to the lady after they are done giving birth do they just leave or do they kill them.Also they say that she is a show of because she is pregnant and doesn't have to do the shopping, this makes me wonder about the society and what happens to those girls that cant have babies, what do they do to them ? Since being pregnant is a good thing what happens to those who cant?  Another think that I am very curios about is Luke. Luke is a character that the author talks about, I wonder what Luke is to her because she mention how they were going to buy a house, have kids. Is Luke her lover that she left behind or is Luke someone she has fallen in love with during this process?  I wonder if later on in the book we will meet Luke and see why the author mentions him through the story, and what he means to the author. I feel like this book is full of mysteries and it makes me curious about lots of things, right from the beginning. Other then that I am enjoying this book more then I thought I would of.

Choose a quote from the book that really speaks or stands out to you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book, and its value to you.

While reading this book, there were many quotes that were brought to my attention, but one quote in particular stood out to me. This quote was, "Beside the main gateway there are six more bodies hanging, by the necks, their hands tied in front of them, their heads in white bags tipped sideways onto their shoulders." While reading this part, I pictured this in my head and it has stuck with me. Later on, she goes on to say, "We’re supposed to look: this is what they are there for, hanging on the Wall." This shows that the government wants to control or brainwash their citizens by scaring them and showing them what could happen to them if they didn't follow the rules. I chose this quote because it caused the most emotion from me. While reading about this part in the book, it reminded me of when we read Night and Elie Weasel talked about his experience with watching people get hanged. The leaders hanged people for different reasons, but the main reason was to let other know that they were in control now. The same goes for The Handmaid's Tale because the leaders wanted to show their authority over the citizens. This shows that in this dystopian world, the leaders want to enforce their beliefs and their laws on everyone, which can be compared to a dictatorship. They don't want people to have their own "brains" in a sense because this would allow them to think for themselves, so they brainwashed people into believing that this world is normal, when is reality it is not. These quotes allow the reader to understand the government more. It allows the reader to understand that the government has strict rules and regulations about how people should live their life's based on ages, genders, etc.. I am really enjoying this book right now and hope to soon find out the backstory for what caused their world to be flipped around.

Choose a quote from the book that really speaks or stands out to you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book, and its value to you.

The quote that stood out to me the most so far is, "Are they happy? How can they be happy?" It was a question the main character asked herself when tourist ask her if SHE was happy. This quote really stood out to me because the main character is so reserved and caught up in her world that she does not know much of other's happiness. The tourist who asked her if she was happy does not know about what their "happiness" is either. Both people live in such different worlds. What is normal and happy in Gilead, the handmaid's home, is considered odd in Japan, where the tourist were from. Everyone has their own version of happiness. Things that make them feel joy and laugh but those things could make others feel sad. It all deals with interpretation. Another reason the quote stood out to me is because the handmaid responds that she is very happy yet thinks, "I have to say something. What else can I say?" Her following thoughts after her response indicate that she is not sure whether she is actually happy or not. It sounds more like she didn't know what else to respond and was afraid that if she said she wasn't happy she would get into trouble. Up to this point, the handmaid recalls many things before she had to become a handmaid. She remembers and misses the freedom she had as a child but does not speak out loud of her thought. It seems as if she has convinced herself that she is happy in Gilead where she can't even look many people in the eye. She has fooled herself to be content, just as many people do in the present real world.

What happens to “the individual” in the dystopia?

The individual in The handmaid’s Tale has been stripped of her rights, life and family. Offered once had a husband and a daughter, they had freedom and love. After the disruption of the United States, she was separated from her family and sent to an old high school where she was trained to be a handmade. She, among the other women who are still fertile, were sentenced to a life of giving birth for couples called commanders. She is taught to waste not and want not. She is restricted from normal accessories such as alcohol, cigarettes, and coffee. Her life is restricted to buying food for her foster couple, trying to hide from spies called “eyes”, and trying to bare a child. She is forced to follow strict, undignifying rules that force her to always walk with a partner, only speak when talking to, and do what one is told. Without knowledge of her past friends, family, and mother, she is forced to make friendly acquaintances wherever she could. She is forced to a red ensemble and white wings that stamps her of her occupation. She has frequent flashbacks of her friend and husband which explain the events leading up to her current life. On page thirty one, a tourist asks her and her walking partner if they are happy and she says yes. Her constant restriction of “freedom to” has brainwashed her that she is receiving “freedom from”. Although she has no personal belongings, she finds happiness in small defiance and thoughts. Her memories of past life and family haunt her and the readers. As the young girl prepares for a life of horror, she learns of a defiant group called “May day” and gains little hope. The individual of this story is in a unique situation that has no easy escape.

Choose a quote from the book that really speaks or stands out to you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book, and its value to you.

"They haven’t fiddled with the gravestones, or the church either. It’s only the more recent history that offends them." was stated in The Handmaid's Tale. While reading this book, this quote stood out to me because it reminds me of what our parents say now. I think that this generation is more troubled than past generations are used too. While reading the book, Offered, is unable to look at society and she keeps to herself. Often times, she described the sweet smell of nail polish and how a name of a store is too much temptation for women. In the book, socitey has reversed the women's roles. As you see, the generations of this book and generations now are complete opposite. This quote is expressing that they are not upset with past generations. For the fact that, women used to be to themselves, their homes, and left outside lives to their spouse. In modern society, now women are able to be involved in business, politics, and they are able to express themselves. However, in chapter five, Offred and Ofglen are astonished by the japanese women who show their legs and wear high heels. To ourselves, we think, that this is offending women because their rights of self-expression has been taken away. It allows our socitey to value the small things that makes a woman.This is why this quote makes me think a lot about our generation. Women are free like birds, but these girls are not. Which is why history is offended because the women role has changed drastically. Overall, the women's roles throughout this book open the eyes of this generation to see how far the roles of women have drastically changed. 

Welcome to the Blog!

As you read The Handmaid's Tale, you will engage with the text and communicate with your peers through blogging. For each blog, write an entry of at least 250 words. Use a different prompt for each entry EXCEPT FOR POST 4. For post 4, all of you will respond to the same prompt. 

Make sure your writing is organized, grammatically correct, and engaging to your reader. In each entry, combine specific textual references with personal analysis. You should use specific aspects of the text like quotes or events as a springboard for analytical thinking. 

Prompts for Posts 1-3:

• What factors and/or situations combined to create your book’s dystopia? Why and how did the society evolve into a dystopia? How could it have been prevented from becoming a dystopia?What message (or warning) do you think the author is trying to send to our current society?
• What aspects of a dystopia does our current society have? Do these characteristics have the potential to expand? What should be done to stop it? Use aspects of your novel to support the points that you make.
• What is the one thing the writer makes you curious about? Why?
• How is the protagonist changing? What is s/he learning about life and the role s/he plays in it?
• What happens to “the individual” in a dystopia?
• Choose a quote from the book that really speaks or stands out to you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book, and its value to you.
• Choose a symbol that the author has created in the novel. What is the symbol, what does it represent, and why do you think the author incorporated it in his/her novel?
• To what extent can technology violate individual freedoms?
• When is it best to conform to the wishes or rules of others? What problems are avoided when people conform? What new problems does conformity create?
• What are the necessary components of a functioning and fair society?
• Describe the government of a perfect society. Explain your opinions.
• Express your thoughts to the following statement: The governing body should be allowed to do whatever they feel is necessary to protect its citizens.

Prompt for Post 4:

• Each novel has a problem in its core societal framework that has caused it to become a dystopia. What is the central problem in your novel that needs solving in order to resolve the dystopia that has been created? Next, solve the problem. Determine a plan for how the society in your book can transition from the present dystopia to a functional and fair society.