Dystopia
Dystopian Protagonist
Offred feels trapped in the household (pg. 8)
Helps the reader understand the rejection of identity in a dystopian society (pg. 95)
Also helps reader understand the pain and suffering she is going through. (pg. 223)
Violence is prevalent in society
There is a war going on (pg. 93)
Members of society are controlled by an elite through fear
Society is controlled by a religious doctrine (Bible) that is enforced through the use of a theocracy (pg.99)
Government instilled a sense of fear in its citizens through the use of spies and a secret police
Sense of hopelessness that nothing will change
Offred fears there is no hope of release from the horror of Gilead (pg. 229)
Individuals are dehumanized
Women are used as objects that reproduce (pg.30)
Names of women are take (pg. 95)
Women are forced to have a name that represents them are the property of men (pg. 95)
A wall is set up to hang dead bodies of those that broke the law, humiliating them (pg. 36)
Government has a pure command market economy
All money is controlled on the Compubank (pg. 200)
Individual thoughts and freedom is oppressed
Uniformity is demanded, with different colour outfits representing social status (pg. 9)
Citizens are forced to revere a certain person/concept
Christianity laws are placed above all individual needs, wants, and desires
Propaganda is used to control citizens and convince them that this system will benefit them
All sources of media are banned (pg. 25)
Aunt Lydia convinces Offred how going through this situation is good for her and how is meant to be a Handmaid. (pg. 94)