Theme Of Graphic Similes In The Handmaid's Tale

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Pity; The feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the sufferings and misfortunes of others. In the dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, the text tells of Offred, a handmaid in a not so distance future, as she recounts her memories of her past life and how it differs to her present life in the restructured Republic of Gilead. This essay will argue that Atwood used techniques of graphic similes, allusions and symbolism to manipulate readers to develop pity for Offred. Overall these techniques highlight the importance of feminist movements. Atwood uses the technique of graphic similes throughout the novel to show readers how Offred is desensitized to violence. “Like a Sister, dipped in blood.” is one of the bizarre and graphic similes Atwood used as a technique in The Handmaid’s Tale to help the reader develop a feeling of pity towards Offred. The Republic of Gilead, in which Offred lives, is stark reality. Gilead controls handmaids among other civilians by using violence …show more content…

They are made aware how offred feels she has nothing else to aspire to be in life, not even the mother of the child she will birth, she is simply a baby carrying device used by Gilead. A sad reality made worse by the allusion Atwood cleverly used. In a recent study by the Pew Research Centre in 2014, statistics showed that over 70% of Americans identified a christian. If over the majority of a powerful country believes in the christian faith and follow the words of the bible the allusion to the biblical reference of “Give me children or else I die” holds a chilling reality to it. If the future was to return to “traditional values” then much like in The Handmaid’s Tale women could resort to nothing but their womb. A frightening concept for modern day readers to wrap their minds around as we have become accustomed to women and men all creating their own sense of importance and what their goal in life

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