The Handmaid's Tale - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages Her novel reveals the repercussions of gendered language taken to the extremist end. This implies the sexist structure of the Gilead society seems different and distant out of oppressive language, which is used in modern American society of which it has been accepted to a point of being used in everyday life.
Atwood plays with words and analyses symbolic language in order to reveal the power implication and subservience many words have when literally taken. The acceptance of this oppressive language in American society and culture allowed the formation of Gilead. Here, Offired breaks down the vernacular and reveal meanings, which are commonly overlooked: “I wait for the household to assemble. Household: that is what we are. The Commander is the head of the household. The house is what he holds. To have and to hold until death do us part” (Atwood, 81).
Atwood’s words show the importance newly found which has come with the new role of handmaid in Gilead. Offired literally takes a symbolic language and reveals how it sounds. Most English speaking people ignore willfully and accept the use of such submissive language. However, Atwood seemingly takes a position, which is neutral in her words such as household and breaks it down, analyses its parts and later turns it into a negative word symbolizing domination of male. By relating the views of hold to the wedding vows that are well known “to have and hold,” Margaret Atwood makes her readers question how romantic the words used are.
The English language that is masculine dominated allows women to grow while being accustomed to the domination of male. Passing the wisdom her husband had given her, the readers are enlightened by Offired word: “Fraternize means to behave like a brother. Luke told me... He said there was no corresponding word that meant to behave like a sister. ...Download file to see next pagesRead More