A Light Breakdown of The Handmaids tale thus far

Reading The Handmaid’s Tale has been an interesting experience where I see many comparisons to the current state of the world and our country. Most notable is how our current government chooses to only show us the victories and successes of our nation, when, in actuality, there are many shortcomings of the United States, especially during the last few years. The Handmaid’s Tale presents one possible scenario of what could happen if we continue down this path. Our country is heading down a path of oppressing people for speaking out and having opinions that differ from the government. The censorship that the current administration is taking to silence the voices of people like Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night comedians goes to show that if we don’t stand up for our freedom of speech, we too could end up like Gilead. More specifically, in one of the early chapters of the book, we are still in a world-building phase and learning about what this new world looks like and how it operates. We learn that the government has taken over control of the news. Margot Atwood writes, “They show us only victories, never defeats. Who wants bad news?” -83 showing just how far the government has gone to control the media. Offred also asks the reader, “Who wants bad news?” This can be read as a satirical statement showing that even in these dark times, she’s trying to find humor in unlikely positions. This shows us how there is still humanity in these people who, before, were described as more one-toned people Earlier in the book, they hint at this fact of media control when they introduce the “Eyes,” who are portrayed as spies planted throughout Gilead, making people like Offred second-guess whom to trust with their inner monologues. The way margott atwood describes it makes it sound as if most people are considered “Eyes” and that they have to be careful about it. At one point in the book, Offred is talked to by an interpreter, and in her inner monologue, she says, “I know better than to look the interpreter in the face. Most of the interpreters are Eyes, or so it’s said.” (26) The ending of her saying “or so it’s said.” goes to show that even though she doesnt have any physical proof enough people believe it to be true that they listen. This, in conjunction with her fear of looking the interpreter in the face, also suggests that even though the tourist with the interpreter is unaware of the rules, the interpreter is aware of them, and if she refuses to follow them, she will be punished. This theme of not knowing who may report them continues throughout the book and resurfaces during the first Birthday, when Offred is standing next to another handmaid. They are exchanging small words about looking for other handmaids they once knew. The other handmaid asks Offred if she knows somebody whom Offred was at the learning center with, and Offred responds. “I want to tell her there was an Alma with me at the Center. I want to tell her my name, but Aunt Elizabeth raises her head, staring around the room.” (107) The reader is also then left wondering if they were in earshot of the Aunts because directly before this, Offred was asking about Moria. Now they are silent as if the Aunt had heard them and their conversation and is attempting to warn them. It’s interactions like those which make Offred and the other handmaids watch what they say and who they talk to. We never learn if Offred tells the other handmaid that she knows of Alma or that they were at the Center together. This type of world-building and questioning allows the reader to build their own story within the larger narrative of The Handmaid’s Tale. Thought these first few chapters of The Handmaid’s Tale. The reader is exposed to various types of world-building and character introductions that help establish a foundation for what we might continue to see throughout the book. Specifically, we are shown how conflicted Offred is on who to trust and who may be a spy; it’s that style of writing that keeps the reader interested in how this plot may progress. Additionally, we continue to see that if the United States continues to limit free speech and the will of the people, this book may become less far-fetched.