The Handmaid’s Tale Theme - Rebellion + Power
Analysis:
Commander - Power Over
The commander is an archetype of power. He is a wealthy, white, christian and
male: all the things that Gilead values. Even his name - The Commander -
symbolises his dominance over others.
Atwood uses the Commander to portray gender power dynamics.
The Commander’s position of power allows him to break the rules and be forgiven
for it. If Offred were to break the rules, she would likely have much harsher
consequences due to her role as a Handmaid.
Offred’s relationship with the Commander puts her in a vulnerable position as she
cannot tell him no, and she has to live with the possibilities of being given to the
authorities and sent to the Colonies.
Between Offred and the Commander only Offred is under constant threat of death for
breaking the rules, this emphasises the Commanders power over Offred’s fate.
Ofglen - Power With
In Gilead Handmaid’s are prevented from forming friendships to prevent rebellions.
Offred and Offglen’s relationship shows the potential power of companionship and
alliances.
The idea of power with is centred around empowerment, shared power and
collective action.
By both of them having similar positions in society as well as being shopping
partners they share similar experiences that create a reciprocal relationship.
When Ofglen reveals her alliance with the resistance group Mayday, the two learn
that they can trust each other and find power in each other.
Handmaid’s are always under constant threat of death with one wrong move leading
to their death which is Gilead’s form of oppression.
By trusting each other Offred and Ofglen are choosing companionship and power
with each other as a way to resist Gilead’s oppression.
Moira - Power To
Power to is the power to act either alone or together to make a difference.
, Moira serves as an inspiration for Offred’s subversion, she encourages Offred to
resist Gilead’s power and realise her own power to act.
Moira is used by Atwood in order to exemplify inspiring others to take action and
realise their own power.
By escaping the red centre Moira rejects Gilead’s new society and takes back her
power.
The Handmaid’s are inspired by Moira’s escape describing it as their “Fantasy”
Moira’s successful escape gives the Handmaid’s something to hope for, she shows
them that they have the power to change their own situations. She gives power to
the Handmaid’s.
Offred - Power Within
At the beginning of the novel Offred was complicit with Gilead’s power but as the
book progresses she becomes more subversive, finding power within herself to
resist Gilead’s oppression.
As a Handmaid Offred is often powerless but as the book progresses she finds ways
to regain her power.
One way that Offred is able to maintain her identity and power is through her
memories. In a society where she is only valuable for her fertility she uses her
memories to feel connected to herself. Remembering her former name gives her
power and identity.
Rebels in The Handmaid’s Tale are those who are not from a position of power who
retaliate against the regime.
● The Commander and Serena Joy aren’t seen as rebels as they act in
resistance for their own personal gain. Moira and Ofglen acts of rebellion are
aimed to fight against injustice.
● Both Serena Joy and The Commander rebel against Gilead in a way that
wouldn’t change the society but instead rebel in a way that suits them and
keeps their own power.
● Moira is the most rebellious character in the novel taking direct resistance
against Gilead. She is also a lesbian which rejects Gilead’s heteronormative
expectations.
● Her rebellion isn’t for her comfort but it is for her own survival, she embodies
the classic idea of a rebel.
Analysis:
Commander - Power Over
The commander is an archetype of power. He is a wealthy, white, christian and
male: all the things that Gilead values. Even his name - The Commander -
symbolises his dominance over others.
Atwood uses the Commander to portray gender power dynamics.
The Commander’s position of power allows him to break the rules and be forgiven
for it. If Offred were to break the rules, she would likely have much harsher
consequences due to her role as a Handmaid.
Offred’s relationship with the Commander puts her in a vulnerable position as she
cannot tell him no, and she has to live with the possibilities of being given to the
authorities and sent to the Colonies.
Between Offred and the Commander only Offred is under constant threat of death for
breaking the rules, this emphasises the Commanders power over Offred’s fate.
Ofglen - Power With
In Gilead Handmaid’s are prevented from forming friendships to prevent rebellions.
Offred and Offglen’s relationship shows the potential power of companionship and
alliances.
The idea of power with is centred around empowerment, shared power and
collective action.
By both of them having similar positions in society as well as being shopping
partners they share similar experiences that create a reciprocal relationship.
When Ofglen reveals her alliance with the resistance group Mayday, the two learn
that they can trust each other and find power in each other.
Handmaid’s are always under constant threat of death with one wrong move leading
to their death which is Gilead’s form of oppression.
By trusting each other Offred and Ofglen are choosing companionship and power
with each other as a way to resist Gilead’s oppression.
Moira - Power To
Power to is the power to act either alone or together to make a difference.
, Moira serves as an inspiration for Offred’s subversion, she encourages Offred to
resist Gilead’s power and realise her own power to act.
Moira is used by Atwood in order to exemplify inspiring others to take action and
realise their own power.
By escaping the red centre Moira rejects Gilead’s new society and takes back her
power.
The Handmaid’s are inspired by Moira’s escape describing it as their “Fantasy”
Moira’s successful escape gives the Handmaid’s something to hope for, she shows
them that they have the power to change their own situations. She gives power to
the Handmaid’s.
Offred - Power Within
At the beginning of the novel Offred was complicit with Gilead’s power but as the
book progresses she becomes more subversive, finding power within herself to
resist Gilead’s oppression.
As a Handmaid Offred is often powerless but as the book progresses she finds ways
to regain her power.
One way that Offred is able to maintain her identity and power is through her
memories. In a society where she is only valuable for her fertility she uses her
memories to feel connected to herself. Remembering her former name gives her
power and identity.
Rebels in The Handmaid’s Tale are those who are not from a position of power who
retaliate against the regime.
● The Commander and Serena Joy aren’t seen as rebels as they act in
resistance for their own personal gain. Moira and Ofglen acts of rebellion are
aimed to fight against injustice.
● Both Serena Joy and The Commander rebel against Gilead in a way that
wouldn’t change the society but instead rebel in a way that suits them and
keeps their own power.
● Moira is the most rebellious character in the novel taking direct resistance
against Gilead. She is also a lesbian which rejects Gilead’s heteronormative
expectations.
● Her rebellion isn’t for her comfort but it is for her own survival, she embodies
the classic idea of a rebel.
