Doing the "Right" Thing
Lit Log #2: Reader Response
The wall scene in The Handmaid’s Tale struck me as the most shocking and revealing moment in the book. The red-brick Wall is introduced in chapter 6 when Offred and Ofglen return home from a grocery run. They both pass this wall on their way home and are fixated on what they see: “Six more bodies hanging, by the necks, their heads tied in front of them. (32)” The red-brick Wall separates Gilead from the outside world. Citizens of Gilead who break the laws of this society are hung from the wall with a white bag around their heads, as described. On each body, a sign is hung around their neck indicating the reason for their execution.
My initial reaction to this scene was shock. Even though it was already inferred throughout the book that Gilead is a strict and harshly governed society, I didn’t expect a public showcase of dead bodies on a brick wall. These bodies represent a disturbing symbol for enforcing the laws of Gilead. The body’s identities were concealed and the only explicit message associated with each body was the crime they committed. This draws a direct correlation to why they were executed. Anyone who values their life in Gilead is inclined to follow the rules because the bodies are examples of what happens when you don’t: “They have committed atrocities and must be made into examples for the rest. (33)” In addition to this, seeing a dead body can be traumatizing, making the whole experience hard to forget. Covering the faces of the dead takes attention away from their identity, reducing them to figures of defiance. The bodies hanging from the wall symbolize the repercussions of not following the laws of Gilead
The consequences of not following the rules can vary. Sometimes they result in death or serious injuries. One day, in middle school, I was walking to my bus stop and saw a car totaled into a brick wall, about waist high. I asked a man nearby what happened and he told me that the man in the car was on his phone and wasn't paying attention to the road. The same man told me the driver was also arrested. When I saw the crash I was shocked and a bit scared. I remember thinking the driver was an idiot and that I didn't ever want to be in his position. It’s moments like these that stick with me. Before seeing the crash, I knew that nobody should be on their phone while driving but never saw the direct consequences. Following this day, I would more often call out my sister, mother, or brother if I saw them on their phones while driving. Seeing the crash in person made me take driving safety more seriously.
I resonate with the wall scene in The Handmaid's Tale because Margret Atwood's narration is closely connected to how I felt when I saw the car crash. Both moments depicted the consequences of breaking the law. I felt shocked by seeing the car crash but didn't feel bad for the man who crashed into the wall. On page 33, Atwood writes, “What we are supposed to feel towards these bodies is hatred and scorn.” Atwood explains that the people of Gilead should feel hatred towards those who don't abide by the laws. I wouldn't say that I felt hatred towards the driver but anger towards him because of his recklessness. I wasn't worried about the driver at all. The society we live in and Gilead punish those who disobey the laws and as citizens, it's our responsibility to know what they are. The driver was arrested and the citizens of Gilead were executed. If you decide to not follow the law, as the driver did, you may face the consequences of your actions. I initially struggled to accept why I felt no remorse for the driver but I quickly understood it was no one else but his fault. Everyone is in control of their actions and by choosing to challenge or disobey the rules, whether you think it's correct or not, you're putting yourself at risk.
