Journal One

Journal One

I can't help but be intrigued and delightfully confused by the beginning chapters of this novel. The conflict between the genders and the female hierarchy enthralls me greatly. The Handmaid's Tale is clearly dystopian literature. Atwood immerses her reader into a world of unknown which is a clear indicator of a coming chaotic environment that often accompanies dystopian literature. The setting appears to be a jail-like establishment where many women live within the same household to please and pleasure one man. The setting will dictate entirely the actions of the main character Offred. There is a sense of desperation and a gloomy mood throughout the beginning of the novel as Atwood describes the encampment through the eyes of Offred. It appears that Atwood chooses Offred to offer a naive look inside a dystopian world. Had Atwood chosen a character with higher rank and therefore more insight into the hierarchy of this society, the novel would not have the same mystery. Offred is undoubtedly the most significant character in the novel thus far. Because she lives in a dystopian patriarchal society, Offred is difficult to identify with on surface level. However, her naive and feminine curiosity makes her girlish character more relatable. The most insignificant character is the Commander's wife. She offers up another aspect of womanhood in contrast to that of Offred. I suspect this will later cause conflict especially regarding the Commander. Color is used to represent place in society is used throughout. Labels are likewise important. Wings and angels are mentioned often throughout the beginning of the novel.