Conflict
Handmaid Streetcar
Chapter 1- the state vs Handmaids Scene 1- Blanche is obviously very
different, in conflict with her surroundings
Ceremony- Blanche’s mind is able to rebel, Poker night- Stella is left vulnerable after
conflicting with the enforced indoctrination conflict with her husband but ultimately she
of the mind lacks the strength of mind that Offred has
as she voluntarily returns to Stanley
The Particution - violence as a means of Scene 10- The Rape scene: Blanche is
controlling women, conflict between overwhelmingly destroyed by Stanley in a
themselves and other men is ‘resolved’ (pg cruel way
280)
Historical notes - there is conflict between Scene 11- Blanche is taken away, nobody
Offred’s narrative and the beliefs of the believes her and she is left so broken that
Professors in the future, it shows that the she has to rely on strangers
patriarchy has not changed
Hope
Handmaid Streetcar
Chapter 1- There seems to be no hope at Scene 1 - Blanche’s arrival - hopes to be
all in the Red Centre at first glance eg. successful after her past life which was
cattle prods etc, however the reaching out traumatic, move to the future
of hands and saying each others names
gives hope as they are already disobeying
the state
Ceremony - Offred’s rebellion of thought New baby - Stanley and Stella - Future
provides hope that there may be change A better life for the next generation
due to her not conforming with the regime
Ending - is Offred taken away by the Blanche and Mitch might find love together -
resistance?? Provides hope for the future audience hopes that they can have a nice
life together
Historical notes - removes hope as the Rape scene removes hope as it destroys
patriarchy is still intact hundreds of years Blanche also Scene 11 shows that
into the future and the professors struggle everyone has given up on Blanche and she
to believe Offred’s story is left depending on the kindness of
strangers once again.
, Individuality
Handmaid Streetcar
Chapter 1- Lack of within the Red Centre Scene 1 - Blanche is different from the
however when they tell each other their other characters in her manner and clothes
names; gives a sense of individuality back
to them
Ceremony - she acts differently to how she Blanche’s trunk - her costumes which
is prescribed to, shows an individuality of highlight her individuality but also shows
mind that she may be ashamed of who she is as
she uses props to hide who she is
Particution - handmaids act as a Rape scene - loss of individuality
homogenous block they have lost their
individuality
Historical notes - utter loss of individuality Scene 11 - complete loss, Blanche is a shell
of who she used to be
Freedom
Handmaid Streetcar
Chapter 1 - lack of freedom, regimented Scene 1 - Blanche has freedom from those
and oppressed lives in the Red Centre around her as someone who has a
separate identity - though you could say
that she is stuck in the character of a
‘Southern Belle’ and so lacks freedom
Ceremony - Offred has freedom of thought
The women of Gilead are exposed to
two types of freedom. In this society,
women are free of violence, sexual
insults, and toxic body image, however
as a woman, they also do not have the
freedom to work, love or do as they
wish. With this sudden lack of freedom,
women struggle the most to regain their
identity.
Handmaid Streetcar
Chapter 1- the state vs Handmaids Scene 1- Blanche is obviously very
different, in conflict with her surroundings
Ceremony- Blanche’s mind is able to rebel, Poker night- Stella is left vulnerable after
conflicting with the enforced indoctrination conflict with her husband but ultimately she
of the mind lacks the strength of mind that Offred has
as she voluntarily returns to Stanley
The Particution - violence as a means of Scene 10- The Rape scene: Blanche is
controlling women, conflict between overwhelmingly destroyed by Stanley in a
themselves and other men is ‘resolved’ (pg cruel way
280)
Historical notes - there is conflict between Scene 11- Blanche is taken away, nobody
Offred’s narrative and the beliefs of the believes her and she is left so broken that
Professors in the future, it shows that the she has to rely on strangers
patriarchy has not changed
Hope
Handmaid Streetcar
Chapter 1- There seems to be no hope at Scene 1 - Blanche’s arrival - hopes to be
all in the Red Centre at first glance eg. successful after her past life which was
cattle prods etc, however the reaching out traumatic, move to the future
of hands and saying each others names
gives hope as they are already disobeying
the state
Ceremony - Offred’s rebellion of thought New baby - Stanley and Stella - Future
provides hope that there may be change A better life for the next generation
due to her not conforming with the regime
Ending - is Offred taken away by the Blanche and Mitch might find love together -
resistance?? Provides hope for the future audience hopes that they can have a nice
life together
Historical notes - removes hope as the Rape scene removes hope as it destroys
patriarchy is still intact hundreds of years Blanche also Scene 11 shows that
into the future and the professors struggle everyone has given up on Blanche and she
to believe Offred’s story is left depending on the kindness of
strangers once again.
, Individuality
Handmaid Streetcar
Chapter 1- Lack of within the Red Centre Scene 1 - Blanche is different from the
however when they tell each other their other characters in her manner and clothes
names; gives a sense of individuality back
to them
Ceremony - she acts differently to how she Blanche’s trunk - her costumes which
is prescribed to, shows an individuality of highlight her individuality but also shows
mind that she may be ashamed of who she is as
she uses props to hide who she is
Particution - handmaids act as a Rape scene - loss of individuality
homogenous block they have lost their
individuality
Historical notes - utter loss of individuality Scene 11 - complete loss, Blanche is a shell
of who she used to be
Freedom
Handmaid Streetcar
Chapter 1 - lack of freedom, regimented Scene 1 - Blanche has freedom from those
and oppressed lives in the Red Centre around her as someone who has a
separate identity - though you could say
that she is stuck in the character of a
‘Southern Belle’ and so lacks freedom
Ceremony - Offred has freedom of thought
The women of Gilead are exposed to
two types of freedom. In this society,
women are free of violence, sexual
insults, and toxic body image, however
as a woman, they also do not have the
freedom to work, love or do as they
wish. With this sudden lack of freedom,
women struggle the most to regain their
identity.
