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The Republic Of Gilead is an oppressive regime which relies on fear to control its inhabitants. ' With reference to the first twelve chapters, discuss the methods of control used and the ways in which the narrator struggles to survive. 'Oppression' can be defined as 'the exercising of power, arbitrarily and often unjustly. ' A regime refers to the 'mode or system of rule or management; character of government, or of the prevailing social pattern. ' In 'A Handmaids Tale' by Margaret Atwood, the Republic Of Gilead is an oppressive regime. It is a social system where cruelty and power are used as a means of authority. Gilead is a highly military state in the USA in which social agendas are dictated by the male hierarchy and the residents are permanently threatened by an overshadow of fear which is used as a method of control. The novel is narrated by the female protagonist - a Handmaid known to the reader as 'Offred' whose purpose is to act as a surrogate Mother for her Commander and his wife. It is through her that we are introduced to the strict control methods which inhabitants have to abide by. 'Control' is a major theme throughout the novel - whether it be by the regimentation of life, the strict communication laws or the way in which people are stripped of their individuality. The whole environment in Gilead is carefully monitored and observed to ensure the 'smooth' running of society.
Suicides appear to be a major threat to civilization as they serve as an 'escape route' out of the oppressive lifestyle - therefore precautions are taken to ensure that suicide never becomes an option. Offred states that 'they " ve removed anything you could tie a rope to' to prevent hangings (often by stockings), there is also a mention that there is 'no glass' in picture frames - even glass in the windows is 'shatterproof'. Razors and any other potentially harmful objects (such as ornaments) have been removed to ensure that an urge to 'escape' is never satisfied. These arrangements, although seemingly severe, were seen as necessary after many handmaids took their own lives after poor adaptation to the new regime. Handmaids are not permitted to leave their 'home' except for their daily walks and their shopping visits.
During these expeditions the handmaids must walk in 'twos' - with a mirror image of themselves. It is during these walks that we notice how surveillance is used as another form of control. It is believed that anybody living in Gilead would have no logical need to leave the state - unless they are trying to escape. The borders are therefore heavily guarded with gun- wielding security guards, there is also the added precaution of a 'chain link fence topped with barbed wire' to further ensure that physically escaping becomes practically impossible. To be permitted into the centre of Gilead, an identification pass is needed which is checked at designated 'barriers' - only if you are permitted may you enter the town centre.
Failure to produce the pass quickly and efficiently may lead to the injury or death of a person, as guards often mistake people searching for their passes as people searching for a weapon. Handmaids can also be identified by a 'small tattoo' on the ankle showing 'a four digit number and an eye - a passport'. Not all security guards are as easily noticeable, there are also undercover surveillance teams known as 'Eyes' who disguise themselves to see whether everybody is behaving acceptably and abiding to all the set rules. The uncertainty and fear of these 'Eyes's tops alliances from forming.
Trust becomes practically nonexistent, understandably, because in that situation, nobody can be trusted as nobody is sure of one another's true identity. The previous identity of all the handmaids have been removed, they all now have different names and different lives - however their past could literally 'come back to haunt' them. If a person is discovered to have committed a now 'serious crime', such as gender treachery (homosexuality) or abortion - they would be salvaged and hung on a 'Wall'. In the Gilead society it is seen as inhumane to kill a child (by abortion or any other means) and to be involved in a relationship where procreation is often not an option (gender treachery) therefore the people that committed such acts are punished. The killings are brutal executions.
After the death, the bodies are covered in a white cloth and have placards round their neck which reveal the 'crime' they committed. The Handmaids are expected to look at the bodies hanging from hooks on the 'Wall' as a public spectacle and show 'hatred and scorn' towards these 'criminals' - this in itself is a control method as it promotes conformity and terrifies people into adhering to rules. The fundamental pressure that the Handmaids are under is to conceive - failure to do so means that the so-called 'unwoven' are sent to the 'Colonies'. In the first twelve chapters of the novel, we do not learn what happens at these Colonies, all we do know is that those who go there never come back. This is an obvious control method used - the Handmaid's start to crave a child as much as the Gilead authorities do as there is a constant threat that they too will never return from the Colonies. So little is known about this dreaded place, because communication is practically forbidden.
The women of Gilead do not sorority outside their peer groups and there is even less communication allowed between individual Handmaids. They speak in low tones, with furtive glances during shopping or other duties. While all women in Gilead wear veils and wimples, the Handmaids wear white wings around their eyes, to disguise their identities and discourage any conversation. However, some forms of communication are permitted, but only in controlled circumstances. For example, a Handmaid's language is restricted and they must only acknowledge each other in biblical language such as 'May the lord open - the accepted response. ' On one occasion Offred is approached by a gardener / chauffer who attempts to talk to her - this, however, is forbidden. Singing is also forbidden as it is seen as an unnecessary, and sometimes influential, form of communication.
The interaction between two people is no longer allowed. Not just verbal communication is forbidden, physical interaction whether it be 'touch' or even a 'nod' or a 'smile' is very restricted to prevent bonds or relationships from forming. This is one major fear of the society, potentially, alliances could form who could revolt against the new practice - leading to the breakdown of society. To stop such events happening, communication is restricted to just the necessities. Aside from physical and verbal communication, 'reading', 'writing', 'films' and 'magazines' have also been outlawed as they may produce opinions and ideas which could be lethal to the running of society. Even communication between doctor and patient is very much restricted (although Offred's doctor rebels against the accepted rules).
Handmaid's are made to cover themselves up with a sheet so that the doctor does not see who he is inspecting. Certain words have become illegal even for a doctor, such as 'infertile' when speaking about a man - it is a word many people do not like to think even exists. There is minimal daily intercourse and interaction between individuals, this ensures that friendships do not form which could be fatal to society. Communication is totally controlled by society. The only kind of communication that appears to be accepted is simple pictures. Shops are labelled and categorized by drawings to show what they sell.
For example, in Gilead there is a sign with milk and honey on. This is another biblical reference as the name is taken from Matthew 6: 28 'A Land Flowing With Milk And Honey'. In Gilead there is no longer any currency, instead simple tokens with 'pictures on' are used as a substitute. These tokens control the eating habits of individuals and also control the economy - in the Gilead society, money is no longer needed. However there is still an illegal 'black market. ' This becomes apparent when Offred spots her Commander's wife with cigarettes, an illegal substance. This is particularly important in the novel as it shows that although there are strict rules and regulations, there are still the rebels who challenge the views of society which gives Offred some hope of escaping her present lifestyle.
The women of Gilead are segregated by their dress and function into highly rigid social and biological roles. "There are the Martha's, or domestics (who wear green); the Wives, or social secretaries and functionaries (who wear blue) and the Handmaids (who wear red). " There are varieties of colour-coded occupations available for women in Gilead, but in every case the roles are pre-assigned. As a Handmaid, Offred has the most demanding role - but yet has no control over her life. A Handmaid's uniform is much like that of a nuns, except in red - she must wear 'red gloves', 'red shoes', a red 'ankle length skirt' and 'white wings' to disguise the face, thus ensuring communication remains difficult. This uniform defines the role that the person plays in society but its also strips away a persons individuality. The Handmaid's name is also changed so that they are more easily identified. Their name is the name of the Commander they are 'working for' - Offred is the Handmaid Of Fred.
This is also a control which strips the individuality of a person. The women of Gilead are barred from education and socialization to ensure that their energies are saved for their individual tasks. The Handmaids therefore become emotionally incomplete robots who lack individuality. This is another way of controlling the inhabitants of Gilead - by taking away their individual personalities, they are controlling the way people think and live. This idea was forced upon the Handmaid's by a process of brainwashing. This brainwashing was undergone at the 'Red Centre' - a training scheme for all Handmaid's.
It is here that the Handmaids learn the accepted norms of society, the restrictions they must recognise and the rules they must abide by. The Red Centre was designed to cement the ideas of the new society and to help Handmaid's to change the view of themselves. It eased them into the idea of taking on a new identity. The Red Centre obviously had an impact on Offred as it is mentioned many times in the novel and, in particularly, her teacher Aunt Lydia. It was from her that she learnt the way in which she should behave and conduct herself.
Although there is not much to be thankful for, Offred appears to be secretly grateful to Aunt Lydia for teaching her this. If she had not done her job properly, Offred may have unsuspectingly done something wrong which could have led to her death. The Red Centre helped Offred prepare for her new life and taught her what would be expected of her in the new society. She would have been told in advance of the complete regimentation of life that she was to expect. The Handmaid's life is controlled and fully scheduled by a series of bells throughout the day telling them when to eat, go shopping, wake up e. t.
c - there is also assigned 'bath days' and monthly checkups at the doctors. This ensures that the Handmaid's lives remain predictable. Each inhabitant of Gilead has a certain role to play in society.
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Research essay sample on Republic Of Gilead Verbal Communication
