Themes

After compiling a long list of themes last class, I started to recognise the following concepts in The Handmaid's Tale. The idea of identity and infantilism particularly struck me in this past reading. In chapter 41 Offred directly addresses the reader. She gives a reason for telling her story, "I tell, therefore you are" (page 279).  This reminded me of the famous quote "Cogito ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am). I believe that Offred's variation is much less selfish. Rather than focusing on her own being, she is concerned with the welfare of all humanity. It makes my variation seem insignificant - I used to have a shirt that said I talk, therefore I am. 

"Day by day, night by night he recedes, and I become more faithless" (page 281). I found my support for Offred in her quest to find herself and her way out of Gilead increase as she progressively tried to forget her identity and accept her grim fate.

Also the concept of infantilism was very prominent in these last few chapters. Originally we only discussed the idea of men infantilizing women, however on page 286 Offred reflects on the way Aunt Lydia addresses the Handmaids. "Its ladies instead of girls because of the Wives." The hierarchy amongst women opens the door for oppression and infantilization is a key component in belittling the Handmaid's so that they feel helpless and succumb to the rules and regulations of Gilead. Another example of infantilization is on page 294, "For lunch there was a cheese sandwich, on brown bread, a glass of milk, celerity sticks, canned pears." Before Offred even says anything,  I recognize that this is the type of lunch my mom would have made for me in elementary school. Offred goes on to say, "A schoolchild's lunch." She recognizes that the Handmaids are suppressed and she appears to be bitter about it, yet she doesn't do anything to fight it. It could be, like I mentioned earlier, that by this point she has given up and realizes that she is helpless. "I feel, for the first time, their true power" (page 298). 

In the final chapters Offred also manages to answer some of my looming questions. For example, she says that the reason flowers are prominently featured in her narrative is for the sole purpose of alleviating the pain. I also think that she attended Harvard University, where Gilead is set, because on page 284 she says, "It's very strange to be here again." Offred's fate is the one question that remains unanswered even after reading the Historical Notes. I would like to believe that Offred made it out of Gilead and reconciled with Luke and her daughter.  However,  based on everything I know, the chances of that seem unlikely.