Handmaid’s Tale †the character of Offred Essay

Marg atomic number 18t Atwoods novel The servants Tale houses a genuinely authentic range of characters, in a complex field. Set in the country of Gilead, a totalitarian and theocratic state, where a reproduction rate is rapidly decreasing, al or so women are labeled as handmaids and depute to elite couples that moderate difficulty conceiving. The constitution of wiz character in particular, however, colourthorn come out hasty and mis downstairsstood at first glance. But tending(p) the circumstances, she proves to conserve the values of humanity she has her take secure of opinions, flaws, and ha chips has declivity and a balance of courageousness and care.Further more than, the setting this character must stick up in is non a lot varied from todays bon ton. The government is deemed fuck up, fear of punishment is in understooded, and the leaders look that the citizens tie to the law. Finally, the aid and support that she receives, the religion and forecast she has, and the development of friendships she makes also has a illusion to ordinary relationships in our world. Hence, the novels protagonist, Offred is a relatively relatable individual, especially in terms of her character, her surroundings and her supporting roles.Offred conveys a sense of certainity in her spirit as she is not gross(a) and has her profess set of opinions, flaws, and habits. For instance, Offred has m either moments and flashbacks where she reminisces ab knocked out(p) her past. This implies that she has regrets and obstacles in her brio-time, in effect(p) as all human being does. When Offred describes her appearance, albeit briefly, it signifies the insecurities that she keeps bottled up intimate I am thirty-three days old. I gestate brown hair. I stand five s rase without shoes. I project trouble remembering what I used to look equivalent. I have viable ovaries. I have one more chance (Atwood, 143).Had she been proud of what she looked worry, s he nigh belike would have gone into more detail, exclusively the lack of words but states that she pretends aught special about herself. At one point that she mentions that she does not like to look at herself in the mirror. This shows that she does not look at her self as superior and she is also self-conscious of her own appearance. She also possesses a certain attributes that any person would possess she is rebellious and seditious in con unappeasableing situations. This is what makes her more provoke and what sets her apart from the rest.Although Moira, Offreds best friend, was an pull down more revolutionary character, she seemed too hardihood to be true. A real career person would not be likely to pull off stunts that Moira had accomplished, for example escaping from the ruby-red Centre She had both hands on the lid when she felt something hard and clear-sighted possible metallic jab into her ribs from behind. feignt move, said Moira, or Ill stick it all the way in, I know where, Ill puncture your lung, I couldnt believe how balmy it was to drag out of the Center. In that brown outturn I just walked right through.I kept going as if I knew where I was heading, till I was out of sight (Atwood, 130, 244). Offred had just enough courage and just enough fear to seem realistic. Keeping these points in mind, it is clear that Offred could have been an ordinary character in our society. The majority rule of Gilead, as strange as it may seem, actually has some akinities to the modern day and this is primarily seen by Offreds receipt to its laws and regulations that they instill. To her, the government appears as corrupt as most governments in this world, and dictators still thrive, just as they do in Offreds society.Offred responds to this by doing nothing, which would be the decision of most masses if forced to live under these conditions. The leaders of Gilead, after all, employ duteous enforcers to make sure that citizens abide by their l aws. She mentions this in the book when she retells how the neuters in her earth started. She describes in full length that she, on with all women in the U. S. , were forced from their jobs by men in uniform carrying motorcar guns Not fired, he said. Let go. You terminatet work here anymore, its the law (Atwood, 176).The fear of punishment is instilled, like to the terrors of being imprisoned or given a finish sentence in our world. Penalties are dreaded so much in Gilead, for most of the time they are unjustly given out and they interchange from hanging to Salvaging which is being beaten to death The three bodies hang there, even with the white sacks over their heads looking curiously stretched, like chickens strung up by the necks in a meat shop windowpane like births with their wings clipped, like flightless births, wrecked angels (Atwood, 277). Offred ultimately responds passively, on bill of this fear, and because liberal ways are shunned in Gilead.Margaret Atwood was right in not bad Offred any extraordinary abilities to surpass or overthrow the tyrants that ruled over her life as it would result in a loss of Offreds relatable self. Relationships with new(prenominal) people are a necessity of life that defines human existence. As Offred progresses with day-to-day life, she develops these friendships, which ensure that she exists. The friends and allies that she made were essential for care her sanity intact because without any shoulders to bunk on in times of sorrow, a persons mental capacitor could break.Amongst her friends were Cora, whom Offred was not very(prenominal) close with but did not have any stress with, Ofglen, Moira, her best friend, and Nick, the Commanders chauffeur that Offred opens up to and confides in towards the closure of the story. Offred ofttimes finds herself seeking support and knowledge in people who share the same beliefs and opinions as her, most significantly from Ofglen and Moira. This portrays the doubts about her world that she holds another human quality. From Ofglen, she realizes that she is not altogether in thinking that their country is corrupt and that something must be done to change things At last Ofglen speaks.Do you think God listens, she says, to these machines? She is whispering our habit at the Center(Atwood, 168). However from Moira, Offred finds out that escaping from their strict nation is not as easy as she had thought, as Moira could not even arrive at such a courageous feat. Without her supporting roles, Offred could have been an stolid citizen in Gilead that was brainwashed into believing all(prenominal) word that the government fed them. If that were the case, Offreds connection to the readers would have been lost. Furthermore, Offred turns to hope and assurance to console her and help her to move on with life.Just as her friends helped her, these virtues aided in protecting her wellbeing though forced, since she had nothing else to look to. The hope that Offreds maintain is still alive is very similar to the feelings of families in modern day society that pray for the safe return of their lost, love one from war or other degrees of separation. Faith is introduced to Offred when she acknowledges the pillow in her live with the word faith printed on it theres a hard stupor on it, with a petit point dig FAITH, in square print ring by a wealth of lilies (Atwood, 57).The accompaniment that it is something she can read implies that there is still hope, as not everything has been taken by from her. This knowledge strengthens her belief that change testament come, though subconsciously since Offred never mentions it. The faith that she puts into the Commander also ties into the trust she gives him when acting games, reading magazines and when he brings her to Jezebels He wanted me to play Scrabble with him, He sits me down, and sits himself down beside me. He puts an arm roughly my shoulder (Atwood, 144, 236). Trust is a very com mon issue that people have trouble giving out.But in examining these elements it is clear Offreds confidantes have impacted her life and how they make her into a real character. The Handmaids Tale is challenge due to its main character, Offred, who shows a majuscule deal of realism in a world of impossibilities. Her character itself is strong-willed, but moderate, and is the perfect mix of what it is to be human. Through her, some of the readers can see a bit of themselves in Offred. She is an excellent example of how a regular person would behave if they were extort into the world of The Handmaids Tale.