"The Handmaid's Tale" Analysis and Discussion

"The pen is mightier than the sword." This is a cliche line, but in "The Handmaid's Tale," this proves to be true.  The pen is introduced during one of the few scrabble scenes, which are in themselves overflowing with symbols. "The pen between my fingers is sensuous, alive almost, I can feel its power, the power of the words it contains. Pen Is Envy..."  The pen is more than a pen and also exactly what it appears to be.  "Pen Is Envy" refers to Freud and his ideas.  It outlines the power that accompanies being of the male gender.  The pen is a symbol of masculinity and control in this instance.  Also, the pen is an outlet.  "..the power of the words in contains."  The use of a pen can lend a voice to one that previously did not have one.   It allows thoughts to be shared in secret, or for the whole world to see.  For Offred, the pen represents the freedom she does not currently have and the gender that oppresses her.


"There is more than one kind of freedom... Freedom to and freedom from.  In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to.  Now you are being given freedom from.  Don't underrate it."  At first it is difficult to decide which choice is the better option, being able to decide for yourself and accept the consequences, or not have to worry about harm or the like.  This idea is mostly directed towards women in "The Handmaid's Tale."  Instead of having the freedom to choose who to marry, whether or not to reproduce, or what clothes to wear, they attain the ability to not worry about being raped or domestically abused.  The way this idea is used in this novel is twisted and unwholesome, but used in moderation and/or the appropriate context this idea could be highly beneficial.  


I greatly enjoyed "The Handmaid's Tale."  The ideas in the novel were so foreign that I did not want to stop reading, and while many of the events in the novel were disturbing and depressing, there was much to consider and reflect on in the novel.  Few of the extremes seen here are often present in everyday life, but that does not mean that is impossible for them to occur.  This book lent insight not only into the psyche of a person potentially driven mad by loss, but the strength that accompanies not giving up.  The description of Offred created a connection that made me desire her happiness and safety, even though by the end of the novel it was apparent that her happiness was highly unlikely.  All in all, this is my favorite book of the year.