Unorthodox Behavior In The Handmaids Tale, By Margaret Atwood

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Unorthodox behavior is displayed by the characters in the book titled The Handmaids Tale, by Margaret Atwood. In this book the Republic of Gilead has taken over the United States of America. Handmaids are assigned to specific elite couples to reproduce children due to low reproduction rates. A girl named Offred is assigned to be the handmaiden for the Commander and his wife, Serena Joy. Nick is classified as Guardian; he is the chauffeur and works in the garden for the Commander and Serena Joy. The secretive underground group called Mayday is rebelling against the government. The followers of Mayday better be careful because the secret police force called the Eyes are watching every move. Margaret Atwood’s book, The Handmaids Tale shows the unorthodox actions by the …show more content…

The only interaction the Commander and Offred should be having is sex, while Serena Joy is present. This is not the case because Offred is sent by the Guardian, Nick to see the Commander at night. Meeting with the Commander in his office at night is strictly forbidden for obvious reasons. Offred and the Commander play scrabble, “ He doesn’t say why he wants to play scrabble with me. I don’t ask him” (Atwood 139). The Commander also lets Offred read books while he watches her intently. Handmaidens are not allowed to do either of these activities, but this unorthodox Commander lets her do both. Offred is also given gifts from the Commander, which includes lotion and a skimpy outfit. The skimpy outfit is Serena Joys, “It’s a garment, apparently, and for a woman: there are the cups for the breasts, covered in purple sequins” (Atwood 230). These gifts are not allowed to Handmaidens. The Commander takes Offred to place called Jezebels, which is a brothel. Taking a handmaid to a place she should never be is definitely against the rules of the Republic of Gilead. The Commander shows his unorthodoxy by his actions and along follows his Guardian

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