The Handmaids tale
The social structure of nearly all communities from the 1600's to the present have been headed by a wealthy or ruling class. Many practices and institutions within the society exist to ensure that the ruling class retains its power, often marginalizing other groups in the process. This dis-empowerment can be achieved through religious beleafs and the denial of education, (as the whites did to blacks in the America during the 1600's to early 1900's) the use of propaganda and indoctrination, or simply through the exploitation of fear. In a strict society, such as Gilead in The Handmaid's Tale, the passivity of the marginalized groups is required in order for the dominant class to instill its totalitarian ideals and social restrictions upon the citizenry. Disempowered groups, such as the Handmaids (Blacks, Natives, etc. ), are aware of their powerlessness but are unable to rectify their situation. The Gileadean hegemony makes use of social and cultural practices designed for the purpose of repressing any resistance or rebellion by the people against their new government, law and ideologies. The use of religion, individual's name, along with the freedom to dress as one wishes, are three basic social practices which help to define a
As the people do not know what those being killed have done, they are forced to draw their own conclusions. Language is an extremely powerful tool in shaping the way people think, especially combined with the memories it sometimes provokes. Unfortunately, the effects of unhealthly reigious parctice are used to downplay the generally positive influence of religion. These ceremonies operate in away similar to Ku Klux Klan lynchings in the American South. The Aunts tell the Handmaids that God meant to "greatly multiply [their] sorrow and [their] conception; in sorrow [they should] bring forth children" (pg. This fear of betrayal prevents individuals in the lower groups in society (racial minorities) from opening up to each other, becoming confident as more and more dissenters joined the rebellion, becoming united against a common enemy in the form of the repressive state. The memories of pre-Gileadean times that the Handmaids possess are the most dangerous threat to the regime, since they might inspire a revolution to return to the previous social structure. Other forms of propaganda are used by the ruling group to make marginalized groups, especially the Handmaids, feel powerless. Women who became Handmaids were stripped of their religion, which encourages such beneficial effects on mental health as less depression (a modern epidemic), more self-esteem, and greater family and marital happiness, individual names and designated a patronymic implying ownership by their Commander, for example Offred. 128) in the "old days of no safety" (pg. By denying everyone except the Commanders an education, (as White masters were determined to break the self-determination of subordinate blacks by withholding education, freedom of expression, thoughts and opinion) the dominant group in Gilead is denying them access to knowledge and the independence of thought that accompanies it. Denying the Handmaids and others in Gileadean society the right to speak to each other freely isolates them within the group, not enabling them to band together against the repressive hegemony. ] the ruling group marginalizes the other groups, thereby increasing its own power over them by illustrating the harshness of the punishment for not conforming to its ideals. An individual will usually conform to the ruling group's demands if the rest of the society in which they live does too.
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