Dystopian-Journal #3

Topic C:

Margaret Atwood's vision for what the future could be like is very powerful. It is slightly extreme, but she makes very interesting connections to things such as color and the social classes, etc. She depicts the world as being very gloomy and unpleasurable, especially for women, in the future. She sheds light on the dark relationship between sex and politics. Basically she is saying that the government and or society can have so much power that they can make something as natural as sex into a robotic, emotionless routine and requirement for all males and their Handmaids. The sole purpose set on the society is to pro-create, which was set by the government, making this their biggest goal/ priority. Not only does the society take the basic pleasure out of sex, they also create inner turmoil within the souls of everyone. While trying to make some sense out of her life, Offred realizes how much the pressures of society can weigh on something such as a person's inner workings and or their self-confidence. "That's one of the things they do. They force you to kill, within yourself" (Atwood 250). This thought of Offred's is very depressing, and yet realistic for the time period, when basically for a Handmaid, all of their free will is taken away, thus leaving the people feeling empty and like robots just living life to simply do their duty; to have babies!!! Atwood gives us somewhat of an alternative. This being, that instead of losing yourself and completely giving in to the pressure around you to conform, hold onto your ideals and morals. Otherwise you will never find who you really are or find true happiness.

Word Count: 280