How Does the Opening Chapter of the Handmaid’s Tail Introduce the Main Ideas of the Novel?
How does the opening chapter of The Handmaid’s Tail introduce the main ideas of the novel?
One of the main themes in the novel is that of hierarchy. This is demonstrated in the first chapter, through the violent and animalistic imagery of “electric cattle prods” carried by the Aunts “slung on thongs from their leather belt(s)”. This immediately hints to the reader that the women are being kept in the gymnasium by force. Another theme displayed in the first chapter is regime. The description in the chapter includes the women folding their “clothes neatly” which they lay “on the stools at the ends of the beds”. This strict routine has connotations of the army, because the army style would be able to relate to the strict routine. Another theme that has come to my attention whilst reading this chapter is the theme of violence. As we have already discovered, the theme of violence can be seen through the weapons the gauds and aunts carry, however, there is also the notion of sexual violence. The narrator appears distressed and desperate with this life, as if she will do anything to make it better for herself, as she says “we still had our bodies”. This suggest that she is willing to trade her body, perhaps through prostitution, to make her life better, which shows an element of sexual violence and desperation.
In the first chapter, Atwood creates a clear contrast between what the gymnasium used to be like and what it has become, for example: “dances that would have been held there”. From the previous description, it sets a peaceful, calm setting that wouldn’t have brought many fears to the character. However, this gets juxtaposed with the introduction of the Aunts. The fact that they are armed with cattle prods makes the reader feel uneasy, and they start to understand that the lively image of the gymnasium once being used for joyful events, such as dances, is now a place of misery and torture. As we carry on reading, we feel more on edge as the tone darkens. Offred
One of the main themes in the novel is that of hierarchy. This is demonstrated in the first chapter, through the violent and animalistic imagery of “electric cattle prods” carried by the Aunts “slung on thongs from their leather belt(s)”. This immediately hints to the reader that the women are being kept in the gymnasium by force. Another theme displayed in the first chapter is regime. The description in the chapter includes the women folding their “clothes neatly” which they lay “on the stools at the ends of the beds”. This strict routine has connotations of the army, because the army style would be able to relate to the strict routine. Another theme that has come to my attention whilst reading this chapter is the theme of violence. As we have already discovered, the theme of violence can be seen through the weapons the gauds and aunts carry, however, there is also the notion of sexual violence. The narrator appears distressed and desperate with this life, as if she will do anything to make it better for herself, as she says “we still had our bodies”. This suggest that she is willing to trade her body, perhaps through prostitution, to make her life better, which shows an element of sexual violence and desperation.
In the first chapter, Atwood creates a clear contrast between what the gymnasium used to be like and what it has become, for example: “dances that would have been held there”. From the previous description, it sets a peaceful, calm setting that wouldn’t have brought many fears to the character. However, this gets juxtaposed with the introduction of the Aunts. The fact that they are armed with cattle prods makes the reader feel uneasy, and they start to understand that the lively image of the gymnasium once being used for joyful events, such as dances, is now a place of misery and torture. As we carry on reading, we feel more on edge as the tone darkens. Offred