Misogyny and Compliance in The Handmaid's Tale

Misogyny and Compliance in The Handmaid's Tale

Let's begin to compare and contrast two subjects.

If you need explanations on what is a Compare & contrast essay check out this short video

Misogyny in Gilead

Type in the second subject to compare and contrast


Make sure you will present the points of comparison and contrast in the same order.

Example: fast food

Division of Women

Third main point


Keep up the order set for the first subject.

Example: price

Internalized Misogyny: when women subconsciously project sexist ideas onto other women and even onto themselves

Cherry, Nina. "Internalized Misogyny: What Does it Look Like? How Do You Stop it?" UMKC Women's Center, 16 Nov. 2018

Many women are not only complicit with the sexism present in our society but actively participate in encouraging these beliefs

Aunt Lydia

Similarity or characteristic


Type in any other similarity or characteristic of the subject.

Example: costs rise due to frequent trips at the restaurants.

The Aunts are responsible for the torture and psychological abuse of Handmaids. They are the ones to preach and inculcate the misogynistic beliefs of Gilead.

Serena Joy

Similarity or characteristic


Regarding the last point, what is the similarity or characteristic of this second subject? Type it in.

Example: more expensive than the cheaper fast food restaurants.

Serena Joy is restricted by Gilead and is still viewed as "less than" in the eyes of the law. However, her status has given her power over other women in Gilead. She exploits the power she holds over Offred.

Janine

Second main point


Keep the same order you set when you presented the first subject.

Example: accessibility

Similarity or characteristic


Regarding this point, type in any other similarity or characteristic of the subject.

Example: you don't need to cook

Todd Akins, a former American politician, had released a statement saying that victims of “legitimate rape” very rarely get pregnant because their bodies prevent them from doing so.

This is one of the many, many examples of our communities invalidating victims of assault and pushing the blame back onto the victim.

Citation: Cohen, David. "Akin: 'Legitimate rape' rarely leads to pregnancy." Politico, Aug. 19, 2012

In our own world, a lot of people believe victims of rape or abuse are to blame for what happened to them

People will ask questions such as "What was she wearing?" or "Was she leading him on?"

Janine shared that she was raped and had an abortion. The Aunts make the rest of the Handmaids tell Janine that it was her fault. The Aunts want Janine to internalize the idea that she led her rapists on, they also want to indoctrinate in the others that women are to blame in these situations.

Similarity or characteristic


What is the similarity or characteristic of the second subject? Type it in.

Example: very tasty food, always ready within minutes

"But whose fault was it? Aunt Helena says, holding up one plump finger. Her fault, her fault, her fault, we chant in unison. Who led them on? Aunt Helena beams, pleased with us. She did. She did. She did. Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen? Teach her a lesson. Teach her a lesson. Teach her a lesson." (Atwood, 72)

Gender Roles

First main point


Keep the same order you set when you presented the first subject.

Example: health

Similarities

Similarity or characteristic


Regarding this point, type in any other similarity or characteristic of the subject.

Example: contains preservatives and additives

Discrimination based off of status and wealth

Example: The only difference between a Martha and a Wife is that a Wife came from a wealthy family

Women are restricted into traditional roles

Cook, mother, maid, wife

Caste System

Similarity or characteristic


At this first point, think of a similarity or characteristic of the second subject.

Example: often exceeds our daily caloric needs

Aunts

The highest rank for a working women

Responsible for brainwashing, training and teaching the Handmaids

Handmaids

Is given to one of the households for the purpose of reproduction

Any failure to reproduce falls onto the Handmaid and they are punished by being sent to the colonies

One of the few remaining fertile women

Wives

Top of the social ladder

Married to high ranking men

Marthas

Typically infertile women who had come from low class families

Servants, responsible for cooking, cleaning and running a household

Symbolism

Importance of similarities and differences


Emphasize the importance of the similarities and differences between the two subjects to support your thesis.

The Eyes

"I cannot avoid seeing, now, the small tattoo on my ankle. Four digits and an eye, a passport in reverse. It’s supposed to guarantee that I will never be able to fade" (Atwood, 65)

The purpose of tattooing the eye on the bodies of the handmaids emphasizes that they exist wholly under the ownership and watch of the rulers of Gilead.

Offred constantly feels observed and threatened by the eyes.

In a male-dominated society, the way men look at women is a form of control and even violence.

Bonnets

Offred’s white wings severely limit her own ability to see. Meanwhile, she constantly feels observed and threatened by the eyes.

She is put at a physical disadvantage to those of a higher ranking

Obstructing her ability to see is a way to keep her ignorant to what is happening around her.

Language

What are the main conclusions


after comparing and contrasting the two subjects? Type them in.

Example:

• fast food is tempting because of accessibility and expense;
• home-cooked food keeps us balanced and healthy.

The language used in daily conversation consists of biblical phrases: “blessed day”, “blessed be the fruit”, “may the lord open”, “praise be” and “under his eye”.

"Under his eye" is how the Handmaids say goodbye. It means someone is always watching them.

Offred

Type in the first subject to compare and contrast


You will start analyzing this first subject, covering the features that you want to present completely, then you will pass on to the second subject.

Example: home-cooked food

Compliancy

First main point


you will take into account when contrasting and comparing the two subjects. Type it in.

Example: health - compare/ contrast how healthy the two types of food are.

She never rebelled against gender norms and expectations prior to her life as a Handmaid and she does not rebel against the more extreme gender norms of Gilead.

Offred made no attempt to save herself, proof of how this society can break peoples will

Similarity or characteristic


Regarding this point, type in any other similarity or characteristic of the subject.

Example: organic, grass-fed ingredients

Offred complying and accepting her fate is similar to how some women have accepted the sexism within society and chose not to fight against it

“I said, I have made a life for myself, here, of a sort. That must have been what the settlers’ wives thought, and women who survived wars, if they had a man. Humanity is so adaptable, my mother would say. Truly amazing, what people can get used to, as long as there are a few compensations.” (Atwood, 271)

Similarity or characteristic


At this first point, think of a similarity or characteristic of the first subject. Type it in.

Example: fresh ingredients

Government

Religion

Atwood uses the theocracy of Gilead to illustrate the consequences of allowing religion into politics

The novel is a criticism of the way people utilize religion and the bible to justify their own oppressive views

Follows an extremist Christian theology where the order of life is based on a literal fundamentalist interpretation of the Old Testament

Law

“There is no such thing as a sterile man anymore, not officially. There are only women who are fruitful and women who are barren, that’s the law.” (Atwood, 61)

In what way are the two subjects different?


Type in the main differences between the two.

Example: home-cooked food is always healthier than fast food.

The law represents another example of society’s use of women as scapegoats

Women cannot vote, hold property or jobs, read, or do anything else that might allow them to become subversive or independent

In what ways are the two subjects different?


Type in the main differences between the two.

Example: home-cooked food is always healthier than fast food.

Fear Tactics

The government of Gilead could be viewed as a metaphor for male dominance

For years, it was under the rule of men that women were unable to work, receive an education and vote. Any attempt in doing so would result in legal punishment and social ridicule.

Example: Elimination of choice in daily life, enforced illiteracy, society involved in the punishment of offenders (Salvagings), the Red Centre, The Eyes/the black vans, public display of execution, threat of banishment to the Colonies

Fear is used as a tool of manipulation to assert dominance

What do the two subjects have in common?


Type in the main similarities. Example: let's say you choose 'fast food' and 'home-cooked food', both of them are appealing.