Theme Of Satire In The Handmaids Tale - 1649 Words

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a dystopic satire in which present tendencies are carried out to their intensely unpleasant culmination. In the novel, the protagonist and narrator, Offred, originally lived an ordinary life in America until an oppressive, patriarchal theocracy governed by Christian fundamentalists—a group of extremists, applying a strict adherence to Christian doctrine to all facets of society—took over. Due to the increase in toxic pollution and radiation, there is widespread sterility. As a result, Offred and a select number of women, Handmaids, who are fertile have the sole responsibility to produce children. Through the use of satire, Atwood criticizes and exposes the entirety of the society. Satire is the†¦show more content†¦Atwood forges a character, Serena Joy, who shares the same views as Schlafly to mock and criticize women who wanted to suppress themselves. Through the use of religion to objectify and subjugate women, Atwood depicts and critiques the dangers of Jerry Falwell’s misogyny, presenting an exaggeration of Christian Fundamentalism. In Gilead, the oppression of women is second nature; as Offred thinks whether she can be physically hit, she says â€Å"They can hit us, there’s Scriptural precedent. But not with any implement. Only with their hands. (16)†. Atwood highlights Gilead’s manipulation of religion to hold power over the subjects. Although there is no explicit Biblical evidence stated here, the legitimacy of the Bible to subjugate women is effective because subjects like Offred do not question the Scriptural precedent. In the larger picture, it is satirical that Gilead is able to use the Bible to brainwash individuals. Atwood utilizes humour through the language because women cannot be hit with an implement but can be hit by hands. Yet, both means of physical punishment have the same result. Wh ile Offred is at the Red Center, she says a prayer before lunch: â€Å"Blessed be the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed be the meek. Blessed are the silent. I knew they made that up, I knew it was wrong, and the things they left out, too, but there was no way of checking.†Show MoreRelatedA Different Aspects Of Progress1040 Words   |  5 PagesDifferent Aspects of Progress The aversion to progress has been apparent through the history of mankind. Through the clever use of satire, three authors each from a different period and unique graphic locations, expose issues related to man’s reluctance to progress. Aristophanes, Hughes and Atwood vary in their respective abilities to change their audience’s minds about the significant issues of their time periods. In the Langston Hughes’ story â€Å"Slave on the Block†, the Carraway family members doRead More Feminism In The Handmaids Tale Essay1588 Words   |  7 PagesFeminism In The Handmaids Tale      Ã‚  Ã‚   Feminism as we know it began in the mid 1960s as the Womens Liberation Movement. Among its chief tenants is the idea of womens empowerment, the idea that women are capable of doing and should be allowed to do anything men can do. Feminists believe that neither sex is naturally superior. They stand behind the idea that women are inherently just as strong and intelligent as the so-called stronger sex. Many writers have taken up the cause of feminismRead MoreThe Satire of Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale Essay example497 Words   |  2 PagesThe Handmaids Tale has been described as a scathing satire and a dire warning! Which elements of our own society is Margaret atwood satirising and how does her satire work ? Atwood tries to open our eyes by satirising our society with a brilliant contrasting novel. Dystopian in every way, the reader encounters a world in which modern values of our society seem/ are replaceable. Showing the worst of all possible outcomes, she demonstrates that our primarily heartless, just economical thinkingRead MoreExplore the Narrative Techniques Used by Atwood to Portray the Inner Life of Offered in ‘the Handmaids Tale.2023 Words   |  9 PagesThe narrative style and structure of ‘The Handmaids Tale is something very unique to the novel. Atwood has used a complex structure of four different time scales; the most prominent is the first person present tense, where she is a member of the Gilead community and living in the Commanders house: Nothing takes place in bed but sleep; or no sleep. I try not to think too much. Like other things, thought must be rationedÂ…I intend to last. This narrative allows experiences to be filtered through

The And The Little Difference Within The 20th Century

Migration has always been a controversial theme since the early twentieth century not only because of it’s complex historical development, but also it is related to and can be influenced by various social issues such as social status, gender, and society’s attitude towards immigrants. The aim of this essay is to argue the how the similarities and the little difference within them of the characters in literature play the role in theme of migration. The first similarity is that Antonia and Janie have a same special identity besides their nationalities—immigrants. Both two articles portray their youth life, as immigrants, in America. They were depreciated because they are immigrants instead of native Americans. In other words, their youth experience reflects the general Americans’ attitude towards immigrants at the beginning of The Great Immigration. When Antonia talks to Jim about how her whole family immigrated to America and how her father ended his life b ecause of language barriers, unfamiliar farming skills and more importantly, homesickness, Jim, surprisingly, responds to her:† People who don’t like this country ought to stay at home, we don’t make them come here.† After Antonia leaves, he even hopes that snooping girl would never come to see them anymore. Jim, from a child’s perspective, his judgement to immigrants can be influenced by his family and the society. It is crystal clear that Antonia is depreciated by her peers, even by the whole society because of herShow MoreRelatedThe Rise Of The Late And Early 20th Century1693 Words   |  7 Pages The period surrounding the late and early 20th century was the most dramatic era in modern history. It was a period where Western ideals were pushed by motivated empires with ambitions of wealth and expanding territory and, while impossible to distinguish the most influencing factor that led to the Westernization of nations on a global scale, it is easy to determine key points that played important roles in world history. With Western cultures emerging with both technological and military advantageRead MoreControversy Within Racism And Religion1738 Words   |  7 PagesControversy within Racism and Religion in the 17th Century Many would wonder why racism and religion rapture like a constant glare of ambiguity. Along from the 1700’s to now the 20th century, we ask ourselves why does your race and religion matter still? I would like to think that racism should not even matter based off what is now happening today. Within the essay I will discuss to the reader about three stories that to me had many similarities in comparisons; with controversy, racial segregationRead MoreEssay about Implication of Border Security and Photography1251 Words   |  6 Pagesborder security and photography. This essay argues that from the early to the late 20th century, photography has both impacted society and border security, which have raised concerns during the time frame. By looking at the exploration of these technologies, we can come to understand the impact they have in a political sense, within society. Firstly, I will explore how photography was first used in the 20th century and later how the use of photography developed over time, affecting the way we useRead MoreSex Sexuality And Its Effect On Society1458 Words   |  6 Pagesunderstanding, there are also many things that remain constant from early 20th century Alberta to Alberta today. Power Authority Almost every relationship has an unequal distribution of power, but this on its own is neither negative or positive. Imbalance of power become an issue when those in power exercise their control to exploit and disadvantage others. Unfortunately for men having sex with men in Alberta in the 1900’s, they had very little power in relation to the government and police. Police wereRead MoreEvolution of Horror Essays1497 Words   |  6 PagesJoshua An 71811473 Writing 39B 18 April 2013 The Evolution of Horror For centuries, stories of monsters, demons and other unholy abominations have brought fear to the hearts of audiences in commercially convenient doses. Noel Carroll, Ph.D., in his article â€Å"The Nature of Horror†, argues that the existence of monsters and supernatural entities alone do not define a horror novel or film â€Å"for monsters inhabit all sorts of stories, such as fairy tales, myths, and odysseys, that we are not wontRead More Racism: a Short History Essay example1347 Words   |  6 PagesRacism: a Short History George Fredrickson makes an argument ultimately against the dichotomy between civilization and savagery, specifically the resurgence of ethnoreligious bigotry that, according to him, replaces 20th century race theory in order to justify continued inequities and sociopolitical oppression worldwide in Racism: A Brief History. His book delineates the rise of modern race theory, beginning in Medieval Europe and synthesizing an explanation for the existence and success of theRead MoreThe Role of the Concept of Need and Inequality Social Policy1527 Words   |  7 PagesFrom the inauguration of state organised welfare the concepts of ‘need’ and inequality have been at the centre of discussions and debates on social policy. Since the 19th century it has widely been accepted that the state has some responsibility towards attempting to fulfil some of civil society’s needs and the needs of those most at risk. Changing definitions and attitudes surround the concepts of need and inequality; this means any discussion of these instantly encapsulates the political and ideologicalRead MoreInvisible Man Themes924 Words   |  4 PagesIn the earlier 20th century, African-Americans had little to no equality when compared to whites, laws were even made to ensure that African-Americans couldn’t have the same rights that whites had. This idea of segregation and unequal racial power is shown throughout the novel Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, and is also shown within the poems I, Too and Mother to Son, by Langston Hughes. In Ralph Ellison’s literary work we are shown what the cruel results of systematic racism looks like from theRead More20th Century Tourism859 Words   |  4 PagesBefore the 20th Century tourism was viewed by early scholars who had attempted to define tourism as a phenomenon which mainly involved people from the higher class otherwise referred to as nobles in ancient times and not for people from low class in the society otherw ise known as peasants because it involved leisure and relaxation. This was mainly attributed to the fact that economies at that time were not properly developed so that many people could have enough time to work and at the same timeRead MoreLabor Unions in the Late 19th Century America1511 Words   |  7 Pagestechnology, the late 19th century could appropriately dub itself as an industrial revolution. Rapid transformations of the work-place worsened working conditions and prompted the common laborer to join forces with others in order to create labor unions. Although these unions were fueled with excellent intentions and driven by exasperated motivation, these organizations did little to improve the working conditions during this particular time frame. It wasn’t until the 20th century that tangible changes

Chinese Peasants 1949 Revolution free essay sample

Role played by common masses in events before after Communist victory. History, peasants associations, village structure (rich, middle poor), motivation, resistance and indoctrination. This study will examine the role played by Chinese peasants in the Chinese Communist revolution which brought the communists to power in 1949. The primary role of the peasants in that revolution had to do with efforts in land reform. Also important to an understanding of this issue are the Peasants Associations and the differences between the three categories of peasantsrich, middle and poor. In general, however, it can fairly be said that the peasants were profoundly crucial to the revolution and to its ultimate success. As William Hinton writes in Iron Oxen: A Documentary of Revolution in Chinese Farming, Everything that had been achieved in the Communist areas had been carried through by the united efforts and hard work of the people. The peoples brains and muscles were the primary resource (Hinton Iron 25) It is undeniable that the peasants depended on organization. We will write a custom essay sample on Chinese Peasants 1949 Revolution or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page .

An Analysis Of The Kite Runner Essay Example For Students

An Analysis Of The Kite Runner Essay A father like figure necessary in a child’s development. A bond a connection so admired and praised after, not always will love be given, filled with hatred and pain in one s heart. The relationship with a father and a son will guide one through the rough, tough, and right from wrong. The author in, The kite runner uses the emotional relationship between father and son to reveal the necessity of a father like figure. Who needs this relation well we have Baba and Amir, Sohrab and Amir, Hassan and Sohrab. â€Å"If someone were to ask me today whether the story of Hassan, Sohrab, and me ends with happiness, I wouldn’t know what to say.†To start of, the awkward relationship betwixt the protagonist, Amir, and Baba,his father as well as the circumstances influenced by this relationship, demonstrates the urgency for a fatherly figure in one’s life. â€Å"Like father like son† is a well known expression that holds true for many father and son relationships; yet this is not the case for Baba and Amir. The term father and son relationships, the father is a very important role model for his son, and everybody needs a fatherly figure. For one Babe isn’t there for Amir as a result that he is nothing like his father. In The Kite Runner Baba speaks to his business friend Rahim khan about his son and why aren’t they similar. â€Å"He’s always buried in those books or shuffling around the house like he’s lost in some dream I wasn’t like that†. Baba seems angry but actually isn’t, his son turned about to be a distinctive individual he just wants his son to carry his name,his business and hopefully his macismo. Babe feels very distant from his son and can’t see any connection between the two. The only hope he has that they are related is Amir coming â€Å"out of†. .up on Sohrab after the incident with the orphanage. He took time but finally it gave the reader hope for a better tomorrow. Amir also has finally learned the true meaning of being a father.In conclusion, the author Khaled Hosseni uses love, tension and hardship between fathers and sons to give the necessity of an empathetic fatherly figure in one’s life. How you may ask well through the far from perfect relationship between Hassan and his son Sohrab. These relationship show how neglect and disregard for one’s feelings can lead to a person to make the wrong decisions for a father’s love, as well as demonstrate how a functional relationship should be like. Lastly the most important relationship in the book would be between Sohrab and Amir greatly reinforce the lesson that a father’s neglect can cause bad decisions and also cause one to look for love in other places.