The Handmaids Tale chapter 23 analysis Offreds note

The Handmaid’s Tale chapter 23 analysis Offred’s note directly to the reader: “But if you happen to be a man, sometime in the future, and you’ve made it this far, please remember: you will never be subject to the temptation of feeling you must forgive, a man, as a woman. It’s difficult to resist, believe me. But remember that forgiveness too is a power. To beg for it is a power, and to withhold or bestow it is a power, perhaps the greatest. Maybe none of this is about control. Maybe it isn’t really about who can own whom, who can do what to whom and get away with it. Maybe it isn’t about who can sit and who has to kneel or stand or lie down, legs spread open. Maybe it’s about who can do what to whom and be forgiven for it. ” (134 -5). What/How does Atwood, in chapter 23 -26, comment on: ▣ The power relationship between men and women generally, and the Commander and Offred specifically? What is th ▣ Forgiveness as a method of taking power or control for the oppressed? ▣ Society’s tendency to relegate women to the subservient role of baby incubators? ▣ The hypocrisy of patriarchy? ▣ What does Offred do with Commander Waterford? What does he want from her?

Page 158: What is the dominant feature of the Commander’s personality? Offred has sympathy/empathy for Waterford, yet Atwood does not want the reader to. How does Atwood achieve this?

Sex & Power “Everything in the world is about sex except sex. Sex is about power. ”– Oscar Wilde ▣ Why does Offred have empathy for Commander Waterford? Should she? Would you? ▣ Who has the power, generally, in relationships in terms of: ○ ○ Forgiveness? Sex? Decisions? Men or women? (sorry to speak in such binary terms)

The Handmaid’s Tale chapter 23 to 26 analysis In a small group carefully analyze the content of chapters 23 to 26. Leave room for literary analysis. Record whatever is not listed below that seems interesting. The Present: ▣ What happens? (factual plot) ▣ ▣ ▣ What does Offred speculate? 4 -5 characterization quotes each for Offred and The Commander ○ Especially emotions and hypocrisy Analyze their Scrabble game ○ Including it’s symbolism and the words Offred mentions, look them up. Larger lit techniques and devices How is the Ceremony changed? The Past: ▣ What happens? (vignettes) ▣ ▣ ▣ What does Offred speculate? 2 -3 characterization quotes each for Offred, Aunt Lydia, the mistress and Nazi, and Offred’s mother ○ Emotions of the mistress and Offred The significance of the events she remembers ○ Allusions, references Larger lit techniques and devices What do we learn about the Red Center?

The Handmaid’s Tale chapter 23 to 24 analysis Offred’s note directly to the reader: “But if you happen to be a man, sometime in the future, and you’ve made it this far, please remember: you will never be subject to the temptation of feeling you must forgive, a man, as a woman. It’s difficult to resist, believe me. But remember that forgiveness too is a power. To beg for it is a power, and to withhold or bestow it is a power, perhaps the greatest. Maybe none of this is about control. Maybe it isn’t really about who can own whom, who can do what to whom and get away with it. Maybe it isn’t about who can sit and who has to kneel or stand or lie down, legs spread open. Maybe it’s about who can do what to whom and be forgiven for it. ” (135 -6 ). ▣ In these chapters Atwood is thematically commenting on: 1. POWER, 2. SEX, 3. GENDER & RELATIONSHIPS, 4. FORGIVENESS 5. PATRIARCHY Using your poster, choose three (3) of themes and write a theme statement about Atwood’s purpose in these chapters.

What a “text” is really about is called it’stheme We talk about theme in two ways: 1. Theme Concept : the topic the text is really about– sometimes this is hidden through figurative language 2. Theme Statement : the author’s specific message about that topic, this is created by how the author writes about the subject

What a “text” is really about is called it’stheme Theme Concept love revenge good vs. evil beauty Theme Statement Love is blind. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Good always conquers evil.

The Handmaid’s Tale chapter 23 analysis Offred’s note directly to the reader: “But if you happen to be a man, sometime in the future, and you’ve made it this far, please remember: you will never be subject to the temptation of feeling you must forgive, a man, as a woman. It’s difficult to resist, believe me. But remember that forgiveness too is a power. To beg for it is a power, and to withhold or bestow it is a power, perhaps the greatest. Maybe none of this is about control. Maybe it isn’t really about who can own whom, who can do what to whom and get away with it. Maybe it isn’t about who can sit and who has to kneel or stand or lie down, legs spread open. Maybe it’s about who can do what to whom and be forgiven for it. ” (135 -6). What/How does Atwood, in chapter 23, comment on: ▣ The power relationship between men and women generally, and the Commander and Offred specifically? ▣ Forgiveness as a method of taking power or control for the oppressed? ▣ Society’s tendency to relegate women to the subservient role of baby incubators? ▣ The hypocrisy of patriarchy? ▣ What does Offred do with Commander Waterford? What does he want from her?

The Commander : 23, 25, 26, 29 ▣ What is something hypocritical that the Commander does or says? What about Gilead? ▣ Is the Commander who we expected him to be? ○ How is he characterized? ○ Do we learn about he and Serena? ○ What does Offred think about him? How does she try and take advantage of the situation? ▣ How has the Ceremony changed since Offred started seeing the Commander? Is it better or worse for Offred since chapter 16? ▣ What things does the Commander give Offred?

23, 25, 29: Offred and the Commander