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Fire
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Water
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Sun
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Moon
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Name
Red adj 1.
of or near the color of blood, or of a ripe tomato or strawberry
2. with temporarily red face, blushing from
shame
Due to the sexual purpose of a handmaid, the color of blood
can be related to the menstrual cycle indicating the ability to birth children.
The ripeness of a tomato or strawberry indicates fullness or, in the case of a
handmaid, fertility. The blushing aspect of this definition relates to the
immoral nature of the handmaid’s duty.
Red blood indicates health and life but also death and
battle. The ripeness of fruit causes it to be sweet and juicy, however a fruit
that is over ripened can become rotten and disgusting. Blushing can be caused
by both shame and compliment. It is also associated with the innocence of a
child.
The habits of the handmaids are all red and they
are identified and often mistreated or judged for the red color of their habit.
The motif is associated
specifically with the handmaids in this novel. The motif suggests the theme of
sexual slavery in the patriarchal dystopia. Because every group of women have a
specific color, without a colored habit, the handmaids wouldn’t play a part in
the society as they are meant to. The color also brings upon the handmaids
discrimination and often hate due to their sexual duty. The motif allows the
reader to comprehend the depth of sexual control and power in this novel. Men
are controlling sexuality and therefore femininity.
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