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.
I like the fact that the author has waited so long to reveal the main character's name in this book. I think it leaves a sense of mystery for the reader and it gives the author more power to reveal the information that she wants when she wants. One reason that I liked of yours for why Margaret Atwood has not named the protagonist yet is because the role that she plays in society does not seem all that important. I would not have thought about Atwood not naming her because she seems so insignificant to society as a reason. I think that is really interesting.
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