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Which social groups are marginalized, excluded or silenced within the text?

The Handmaid’s tale is a science fiction novel that takes place in a dystopian America
run by the totalitarianistic state called The Republic of Gilead established after
overthrowing the US government. The novel’s story revolves around the Handmaid’s
program; fertile women are used are human incubators against their will to conserve
the human population. Atwood utilizes the setting to incorporate Gilead’s patriarchal
oppression against the female gender as a social group making them the marginalized
sect of the society. The novel’s accurate depiction of religious fanatism was adapted
from Atwood’s study of the 17’th century American puritans and their conservatist
ideal. Being an active member of the feminist movement in the 80’s Atwood’s novel
is of much significance to the current day feminist movement.

Gilead majorly adapts its philosophy from the bible which can be pointed out by its
supposedly highlighted purpose of conserving the human fertility. However, much of
Gilead’s philosophy is a twisted interpretation of the bible. Genesis 1:28 of the bible
quotes “God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!” but the
element of consent was not considered by Gilead instead Gilead blatantly violated
women (Handmaids in particular) with its self-assumed authority which is another
violation against the general population as they were not given the opportunity to
choose the system of government that governs them. This can be seen as the
marginalization the entire civilian population of Gilead. The pre-Gilead 21th century
America represents the current world where at least in the western society women are
placed on a higher pedestal which freedom to work, vote and live with relatively
much higher flexibility than the other parts of the world, however from that point, the
transition into Gilead meant that they were robbed of their very freedom in terms of
what they wear, to what they eat to where they work, their beliefs and their ability to
express themselves therefore ultimately robbing women of their very individuality.
The novel mentions a plethora of restrictions imposed on the handmaids from their
clothes they wear to an extremely minimalist lifestyle at the handmaids’ residence as
described by the protagonist Offred. It can be said that Gilead robs women of their
very individuality as Handmaids are condemned to a life of servitude and are
considered a national resource. An expendable commodity. A political instrument.
Another form of marginalization against the civilian Gilead is done through the
hierarchy established by Gilead. To make sure women remain at the bottom of the
hierarchy, Gilead, during the attack on the government, fires all women from their
jobs, cripples them financially and erases their personal and social identity
automatically creating a dependency on men. Furthermore, every individual citizen’s
identity is erased and are under continuous surveillance (which is an invasion of
privacy) and are held at a higher moral standard than those in power such as the
commanders. Everyone has been renamed and placed in a position of power
according to their importance to Gilead. The pathetic reality of Gilead is that even the
highest-ranking position of a woman (Wives) are still subject to oppression from their
husbands. And everyone has an assigned uniform regardless of the gender or rank
which symbolizes the categorization and restriction of personal freedom in Gilead.
The Handmaid’s red uniform symbolizes fertility and the white bonnet that restricts
their view and others view of them is another example of their conservatist ideals. The
uniform also indicates how the handmaid’s function is prioritized over the handmaid
herself. Gilead also created an abusive hierarchy amongst women as shown by how
the wives has no say in the official affairs dealt my men but has plenty authority over
handmaids which an example of which is Serena Joy and Offred’s frictional
relationship.
The handmaid program where fertile women are housed as the property of the
respective commander is the epitome of social exclusion wherein Gilead has gone to
the extent of erasing each handmaid’s birth name and renaming them lending to the
effect of how women are treated subhuman, only valued for their ovaries. The
program takes inspiration from Genesis 30: 1-3 from the bible where it was legitimate
for a man to have children with his servants, especially if the wife was infertile (Isaac
and Hagar).
Gilead monopolizes language by restricting access to all literature, art and other forms
of personal creativity and expression. The handmaids cannot utter as much as a tiny
offence against Gilead due to fear of The Eyes who are assigned to secretly spy on the
handmaids. Even the handmaid’s conversation is largely censored and structure for
basic functionality and greetings. With no social media and almost no other form of
communication, Gilead managed to silence the voice of the oppressed thereby
ensuring the continuity of its regime.
Gilead’s patriarchal establishment gives men control over moral framework, political
influence and social privileges while the handmaids are depersonalized and forced
into institutionalized prostitution. Atwood’s Gilead is the paragon of marginalization
of women with its extremist regime, its sexist outlook and its twisted theocracy with
no opportunity of women to rally against Gilead creating a cycle of power and
dominance.

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