The Housemaid's Tale By Margaret Atwood

In Gilead there is a class system. At the top of the system is the Commander and then

the Commander’s wife. They have the freedom to speak freely. The classes under the

Commander and his wife are cramped in what they can say aloud. Atwood’s use of language in

the dialogue between the lower classes shows the result of Gilead. Women got stripped of their

voices and were left with nothing to say. The situation turned into mindless people having

meaningless conversations. The definition of words were also changed from before Gilead.

Women had to try and keep up and learn what everything means now that their world changed

completely. Atwood uses language to show how Gilead takes away the woman's identity. She

ranked them in the lower class
There was also the Aunts, Econowives . The women were

categorized even more with color. Colors were symbolic to what you do. You could tell where a

woman belongs by the color of her dress. Wives wore blue. The Aunts had to wear brown.

Martha’s were told to wear green. Econowives wore stripes. The handmaid's were obligated to

wear red. The red symbolized the color of blood from the menstrual cycle and childbirth.

Women were also separated by stores. Only handmaids were allowed to shop at “ Milk and

Honey “.

“ What would don't know won't tempt you “ ( Atwood 195 ). Not knowing is also loss

of power. The government gains control by brainwashing the people. This can correspond with

Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. The government gains power by establishing a book ban. People

without knowledge won't know how to think for themselves. Now someone becomes

controllable.

The use of language in Offred’s thoughts shows she's not controlled. Offred used her

mind to keep her freedom of speech. She can think freely, thus giving her power. Offred’s

thoughts serve her as a mean to escape her society’s expectations. Offred's relationship with the

Commander also gives her power. The use of language in their conversations gives
He realized how horrible the system was

and tried to apologize; “ we thought we could do better....better never always means better for

everyone.... it always means worse for some ( Atwood 211)”. Offred and the Commander also

play scrabble. Scrabble can help Offred obtain knowledge and understanding when people of

higher rankings speak around her. Those of the higher class use language to differentiate

themselves. They hold intellectual conversations . Their use of language also helps them acquire

power. The use of language in Offred's thoughts also shows she has power over the Commander.

His gestures to talk to Offred shows he has interest in friendship and forming an intimate bond.

Offred uses her knowledge and plays dumb. Atwood use of language shows how strongly the

government has planted fear in society. Women try to avoid punishment for speaking freely

Atwood uses religious language to show how Gilead supports a theocracy. A

theocracy is a form of government where God is the highest ruler. Biblical references show a

combination of church and government. Angels are protectors in Heaven and guards to protect

the Commander’s household in Gilead. In Heaven, Guardians watch over people and