What would happen if the individuality that is bred into the human race is deemed unacceptable by a governing body? Rebellion would not be a question of if, but rather, it would be a question of when. This tension is evident in the Republic of Gilead, a theocracy that has overthrown the former United States of America, which came to power after a nuclear crisis and outbreak of disease. In Gilead, the citizens’ lives are controlled by stringent restrictions. One of these laws being the inferiority and monotony of women that abruptly leaves women devoid of rights. In this country, only a select breed of people are considered fit enough to become parents. These Commanders and their Wives conceive a child through Handmaids, women whose sole purpose
…show more content…
Although the Commander is well respected and is rewarded by the theocracy for being a person it sees fit for creating a child, he bends the rules he supposedly follows with great loyalty. The Commander is a man of power and status in Gilead, and the theocracy trusts him to be an example of orthodoxy. However, this case is the opposite as the Commander hoards forbidden books, magazines, and more in his office. Not only is he in possession of this contraband, but he also lends his magazines and books to a woman who is banned from reading. “I knew I was doing something I shouldn’t have been doing, and that he found pleasure in seeing me do it” (Atwood 157). The Commander even suggests and enjoys Offred breaking the law, which contradicts his devotion to Gilead. The Commander also sheds his orthodoxy when he is around Offred. He longs for an emotional relationship, and he craves the adoration of a woman. Offred fills this void by force in order to fulfill the Commander’s wishes. He develops feelings for Offred and even flaunts her at Jezebel’s. “He is demonstrating, to me, his mastery of the world. He’s breaking the rules, under their noses, thumbing his nose at them, getting away with it” (Atwood 236). Clearly the Commander’s position and power come into play as he advertises his infraction to others without consequences and serves a hypocritical role in Gileadean society. Even though the Commander is granted a life with more freedom, he lacks happiness in areas that the theocracy falls short on providing and turns to unorthodox methods to fill the
Although the Commander is well respected and is rewarded by the theocracy for being a person it sees fit for creating a child, he bends the rules he supposedly follows with great loyalty. The Commander is a man of power and status in Gilead, and the theocracy trusts him to be an example of orthodoxy. However, this case is the opposite as the Commander hoards forbidden books, magazines, and more in his office. Not only is he in possession of this contraband, but he also lends his magazines and books to a woman who is banned from reading. “I knew I was doing something I shouldn’t have been doing, and that he found pleasure in seeing me do it” (Atwood 157). The Commander even suggests and enjoys Offred breaking the law, which contradicts his devotion to Gilead. The Commander also sheds his orthodoxy when he is around Offred. He longs for an emotional relationship, and he craves the adoration of a woman. Offred fills this void by force in order to fulfill the Commander’s wishes. He develops feelings for Offred and even flaunts her at Jezebel’s. “He is demonstrating, to me, his mastery of the world. He’s breaking the rules, under their noses, thumbing his nose at them, getting away with it” (Atwood 236). Clearly the Commander’s position and power come into play as he advertises his infraction to others without consequences and serves a hypocritical role in Gileadean society. Even though the Commander is granted a life with more freedom, he lacks happiness in areas that the theocracy falls short on providing and turns to unorthodox methods to fill the