Lit Log #2 - Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJcR1aq5UqI Kid Charlemagne - Steely Dan The tone of the song “Kid Charlemagne”, although originally written about a Chemist-turned-drug dealer, fits well with the story of Gilead in The Handmaid’s Tale, written by Margaret Atwood. The lyrics “Did you feel like Jesus?/Did you realize that you were a champion in their eyes?” remind me of the switch from government to complete control, and focus on the Bible and how things “used to be”. On page 220, the Commander says, “Those years were just an anomaly, historically speaking, the Commander said. Just a fluke. All we’ve done is return things to Nature’s norm.” The men in power feel that they are returning things to the way that Jesus intended them to be. They are making decisions for women, without regarding how they feel about it. Later in the song Kid Charlemagne, the lyrics “’Cause the man is wise/You are still an outlaw in their eyes” remind me of how the way that women behaved before is outlawed. Now, they’re under total control of men.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJWYTetgsns Tha Crossroads - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony The song “Tha Crossroads” by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is very similar to the story happening in The Handmaid’s Tale. The lyrics “Now tell me whatcha gonna do/When there ain’t no where to run (tell me what)/(When judgment comes for you, when judgment comes for you)” remind me of Offred’s experience with trying to escape Gilead. On page 74, the reader sees a small vignette of Offred’s experience running with her daughter. “I’m running, with her, holding her hand, pulling, dragging her through the bracken, she’s only half awake because of the pill I gave her, so she wouldn’t cry or say anything that would give us away, she doesn’t know where she is.” In this scene, readers begin to understand how Offred attempted an escape, but it was futile. Just like in Tha Crossroads, “When there ain’t no where to run”, they are left with no other options but to run into the woods to get away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN1aV4ZwAg8 What It Feels Like for a Girl - Madonna The song “What It Feels Like for a Girl” by Madonna is a great representation of society’s pressures on women in Gilead. The lyrics “Strong inside, but you don’t know it/ Good little girls, they never show it/When you open up your mouth to speak/Could you be a little weak?” reminds me of how the consensus towards women is that it is their fault that rape and sexual assault happen. When they open up about it, they should remember that it was their fault for dressing provocatively, for making the man do what he did. Later in the song, Madonna sings “Hurt that’s not supposed to show/And tears that fall when no one knows/When you’re trying hard to be your best/Could you be a little less?” which reminds me of how women are expected to hide how they really feel, putting on a front to show up correctly for men. Even when they’re upset about something, they should mask that and pretend to be less, to not be so emotional. When the handmaids give birth, they are not given any medicine. They are expected to feel that pain, to bear through it. In a conversation in class, Mara mentioned this happened when tourists from Korea were introduced to the Handamids. She said that when the tourist asked “are you happy?”, Atwood was suggesting that they know that the handmaids are probably unhappy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNgIz0b5lHU Everything Reminds Me Of Her - Elliot Smith The song “Everything Reminds Me Of Her” by Elliot Smith explores themes of loss, yearning, and mourning past relationships. The name of the song, along with the lyrics repeated across the song “Everything reminds me of her,” are similar to the feelings that Offred has as she thinks about her daughter, and the life that she had before the change in government power. To add, the lyrics “And I gotta hear the same sermon/All the time now from you people” is reflected in Offred’s experience with the Handmaid bootcamp, learning about all of the changes in rules. Everything was explained through biblical references; everything could be explained by the bible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSqYsmmfbCI Incomprehensible - Big Thief The song “Incomprehensible” by the band Big Thief delves into society’s expectations of women as they grow older. The songwriter Adrienne Lenker hits the nail on the head of how it feels to physically age and change, while struggling with the idea of still loving herself and appreciating her beauty. “‘I’m afraid of getting older’, that’s what I’ve learned to say/Society has given me the words to think that way” Lenker is describing her experience of fear of aging. This is similar to Offred’s fears, although not explicitly expressed. There is knowledge that all older women, apart from the wives, end up getting sent to the colonies for forced labour and pollution hazards. On page 112, Atwood wrote, “Your flesh may be polluted, dirty as an oily beach, sure death to shore birds and unborn babies.” This references how pollution is affecting their landscape and health. Later in the song, Lenker sings “The message spirals, ‘Don’t get saggy, don’t get grey’/But the soft and lovely silvers are now falling on my shoulder”, a reaction to society’s expectations. She is showing she has found peace with her physical appearance changing. Offred doesn’t have this privilege, as she knows that the loss of physical youth can be lethal to her. Once her eggs are no longer of use to the commanders, she has no more use.

The artwork that I’ve created depicts The Commander, Offred, and The Commander’s Wife, Serena Joy, lined up. I have utilized colors to show that they hold different beliefs and have little in common. Offred is wearing her handmaiden uniform, with her face obscured from view. The Commander and Serena Joy are on opposite sides of her, as they don’t have a strong relationship together. As we come to learn more about Offred and The Commander’s relationship, we find that they are beginning to bond. From early on, we know that Offred and Serena Joy do not have a mutual relationship. During the Ceremony, Serena Joy treats Offred with a cold attitude. “Serena Joy lets go of my hands. ‘You can get up now,’ she says. ‘Get up and get out.’ She’s supposed to leave me to rest for ten minutes, with my feet on a pillow to improve the chances. This is meant to be a time of silent meditation for her, but she’s not in the mood for that. There is loathing in her voice, as if the touch of my flesh sickens and contaminates her. (pg. 95)” It’s obvious that Serena Joy has no patience for Offred, shooing her away despite the rules. Atwood mentions, “This is meant to be a time of silent meditation for her, but she’s not in the mood for that”, proving that Serena Joy isn’t worried about reflecting on this moment. In fact, she’s trying to escape the feelings she’s having. Offred feels the same way, wondering, “Which of us is it worse for, her or me? (pg. 95)” From this interaction alone, we can deduce that the relationship between Serena Joy and Offred is withdrawn and purely transactional. Serena Joy is worried about what Offred can do for her. As the story progresses, a connection begins to grow between The Commander and Offred. He invites her to his room, a private meeting that is strictly forbidden. “I’d like you to play a game of Scrabble with me.’ he says. I hold myself absolutely rigid. I keep my face unmoving. Scrabble! I wanted to laugh, shriek with laughter, and fall off my chair. (pg. 138)” Although Offred was prepared for a sexual encounter, she was met with an invitation for a simple game. Before she left, he requested a kiss from her. “Thank you,’ he says, ‘For the game.’ Then he says, ‘I want you to kiss me.’ (pg. 139)” This leads to the idea that the commander wants a romantic relationship with Offred. He isn’t being fulfilled by his marriage with Serena Joy, and wants something more. There are no mentions of a true connection between them. Instead, the Commander looks to Offred for love. He knows the power he holds over her and uses it to establish the connection he lacks with his wife. Serena Joy and the Commander are separated by Offred in this piece to symbolize their lack of connection. Offred and the Commander have a secret relationship, causing their colors to seep together. Serena Joy is cut off from them, not near her own husband.

What happens when 3 siblings embark on a journey where they are faced with hardship? One of them is not what they seem, keep reading to find out!