Read and take notes on chapters 27-29. I would like you to summarize each chapter to get the basics of the plot.
The real objective is to look beyond the explicit plot at the words and phrases to find punctuation, italics, symbols, imagery, foreshadowing, irony, allusions, duplicity of meaning to convey hidden meanings about Offred, the Gilead and others in the story. Focus on being the detective!
Share your ideas and try to label the type of writing she uses to convey the message.
For example, when Atwood describes how Ofglen and Offred eat strawberries until they are almost sick (chpater 27), that may be showing how they are being careless and enjoying themselves. To eat a whole basket of strawberries means the eater must really have a love or passion for them. Atwood shows a change in Offred and in society since the two handmaids are being passionate about something- a red, juicy fruit! This shows a break down in the formalities of the Gilead and a breaking of the rules since passion is not really acceptable. Offred is choosing to be an individual, not just a red baby-making machine.
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Is it just me, or is there a theme of the seven deadly sins?
ReplyDeleteWhat Ms. K just said about the strawberries was gluttony
Offred broke the main taboo with Nick was lust
Offred once said everyone envies each other for something was envy
The violent way Moira escaped could be anger
The way the Wives like Serena Joy barely do anything but knit and tend to the garden is sloth
The constant control the Eyes have over the Gilead could be greed (strict rules make them seem like all they want is more power, like communism)
.. but I can't seem to find anything about pride other than the fact that Rita is too proud to talk to Offred, even though Rita gossips about her
that's a interesting observation Maureen, I didn't think of it like that.
ReplyDelete[To Maureen] That's very interesting. I did not think of it that way.
ReplyDeleteI also think classical cultures like the Greeks and Latins had great influence over the Gilead. They have Latin prayers, even though the language was a butchered/tainted in writing 'Nolite te bastardes carborundorum'.
The Greek influuence is shown when Victory is describes, with "...wings and one breast almost bare,..." (Atwood 166) The Greek goddess of victory is Nike[Victoria in Roman] which shows that there is still some power or symbolic value of female deities in the Gilead.
Women eating red fruit, sounds a lot like The Fall of Man. Just wanted to put that out there.
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