The Handmaid's Tale Language Analysis
Alyssa Loperena
Ms. Milliner
EES21QH-02
10/18
The novel, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood shows many different views of gender and their power in the world. This book is basically in another language, the power has been built throughout the book by religious language, Offred’s language, freedom of speech, phrases and words just the way the people interacted with each other are different because this is from the time today but not from the same world. This novel is like looking at a “what if”. After some type of tragedy occurred it changed people’s lives as it always has. The women were divided and the men took more control over everyone and everything. The language used in this novel is very limited for everyone because if it’s not in the Bible, it’s not allowed to be spoken of so the way that Offred speaks is completely …show more content…
She used mild as in cursing and slang words. Her conversations with people were very informal. Informal meaning having a relaxed, friendly, manner, or natural conversation. She wasn’t like everyone else because she didn’t believe in what they did. She didn’t have conversations quoting or revolving around the Bible. Offred uses this type of language to distract herself from the real world. An example of Pre-Gileadean, they way that Offred speaks, “I used to think of my body as an instrument, of pleasure, or a means of transportation, or an implement for the accomplishment of my will . . . Now the flesh arranges itself differently. I’m a cloud, congealed around a central object, the shape of a pear, which is hard and more real than I am and glows red within its translucent wrapping (end of chapter 13).” I used this quote because in a religious household, you’re not allowed to think like that. The Bible doesn’t accept this type of thought or speak so this would never be acceptable. Your body was made for the man you’re suppose to be with and no one else because you have to save yourself for
Ms. Milliner
EES21QH-02
10/18
The novel, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood shows many different views of gender and their power in the world. This book is basically in another language, the power has been built throughout the book by religious language, Offred’s language, freedom of speech, phrases and words just the way the people interacted with each other are different because this is from the time today but not from the same world. This novel is like looking at a “what if”. After some type of tragedy occurred it changed people’s lives as it always has. The women were divided and the men took more control over everyone and everything. The language used in this novel is very limited for everyone because if it’s not in the Bible, it’s not allowed to be spoken of so the way that Offred speaks is completely …show more content…
She used mild as in cursing and slang words. Her conversations with people were very informal. Informal meaning having a relaxed, friendly, manner, or natural conversation. She wasn’t like everyone else because she didn’t believe in what they did. She didn’t have conversations quoting or revolving around the Bible. Offred uses this type of language to distract herself from the real world. An example of Pre-Gileadean, they way that Offred speaks, “I used to think of my body as an instrument, of pleasure, or a means of transportation, or an implement for the accomplishment of my will . . . Now the flesh arranges itself differently. I’m a cloud, congealed around a central object, the shape of a pear, which is hard and more real than I am and glows red within its translucent wrapping (end of chapter 13).” I used this quote because in a religious household, you’re not allowed to think like that. The Bible doesn’t accept this type of thought or speak so this would never be acceptable. Your body was made for the man you’re suppose to be with and no one else because you have to save yourself for