Margaret Atwood's use of Gender Bias
The constant struggle for gender recognition is apparent through out history. A variety of past and present literary works show the continuing struggle, in such works as, The Canterbury Tales and The Bible (McCombs 281-2). Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales reveals his gender bias against women. For example, two women described in Chaucer's Prologue to the tales are the Nun and the Wife of Bath. People see the Nun as corrupt because she wears jewelry, a forbidden ornament for a nun. The Wife of Bath has gaps in her teeth, which denote that she is greedy, disrespectful, and deceitful (Chaucer 91-99). The Bible also shows bias towards women. Many scriptures reveal that women are inferior to man (McCombs 282). As presented in the following quote: "As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord..." (Luke 2:22). Modern day novelists also show bias towards women in their works. Toni Morrison's Beloved, M!aya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and Zora Neale Hurson's Their Eyes Were Watching God, all show distressed and broken women who struggle against the bias. Another modern day novelist, Margaret Atwood has very strong beliefs in women's rights
Even though the two novels take place at different times the societies in both! novels reflect the bias towards women. They'll spread their legs for anyone" (The Handmaid's Tale 340). ------------------------------------------------------------------------**Bibliography**. " The men in Gilead are allowed to do pretty much what they want with the women. Also, critics see Atwood's earlier novel, Surfacing, as an example of a feminine journey (Masterpieces of Women's Literature 491). Offred of The Handmaid's Tale begins to have feelings for her Commander when they have a secret love affair that will only harm Offred if the two of them are caught (The Handmaid's Tale 175-378). Those who cannot are seen as being unnecessary even though most of the women are sterile. Also, the narrator being nameless through the entire novel confirms a lack of security as if it would be a sin to reveal the name of a woman who faces so many tragedies (Masterpieces of Women's Literature 491). Also the idea that women are helpless is clear when the handmaids have people to bring them food, wait for them while they take a bath, and walk with them to the market. "Maybe it isn't about who can own whom. Women who can get pregnant have no choice except to become Handmaids or official breeders. Society views women very similarly in Surfacing. Stereotypes are present in The Handmaid's Tale, "I thought about Serena Joy, sitting down there in the kitchen. don't you think she has a neat [rear end]" (Surfacing 90)? The need for love and the false sense of security love gives show how women have become victims of men.
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Acceptance Essays
