Social Control as Displayed in the Handmaid's Tale By Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood set out to depict a society in the future, one that in her eyes had characteristics that needed to be solved from the present. This novel is dystopian in nature which presents a dysfunctional society in the future as seen in the eyes of the author. It is however instrumental to note that most of the works of fiction that are set in the future, are actually meant to help correct the current vices or giving a precautionary note to the society.

Here, the republic of Gilead, fictitiously described represents the regions where women suffer under male dominance like Africa, Iran, India, Guatemala and Germany (Danita Dodson). This novel is set in Gilead which is an imaginary society of the future with a woman called Offred being the protagonist in the novel. It narrates a dystopia in which the freedom of women is restricted by men dominated society and the main tool used is the newly introduced Christian religion.

The novel is centered on the freedoms of women, the women lives, procreation and the rights over their own bodies (Wisker G.). In the novel, the Gilead society, a new republic, is described herein in the perspective and narration of a woman called Offred, one of the so referred to as Handmaids who are seen as breeding tools for the Republic. The tenets of the Christian republic are expressed through the first person narrative of Offred with a few flashbacks of the society before the Gilead society.

In some of the instances Offred gets critical of the society through self monologue and other undertones. She further describes the society before the revolution that led to the creation of Gilead, which is very crucial if one is to understand the Gilead society and the vices therein. This first person narrative gives the details the authenticity they deserve and wins the empathy of the reader.

Oppression inn Gilead is seen to be a top issue that Offred highlights, the way she highlights the gender inequalities that exist in Gilead and the power structures that exclude women is a practical show of oppression of the women by men. This oppression is further highlighted in the contrasting manner in which she describes the previous society and the possibly fairer society that the new Gilead republic, this can be seen in the language she uses in describing the first society.

The Gilead society is depicted as Byzantine expressed in the extreme and any transgression and cruelty would be meted against someone from undeclared enemies from the regime. The males in Gilead would refute the taking up of the responsibility of fatherhood, which was typical of the status in the Republic, and instead relocate those fatherly responsibilities to the mothers. The following were the outstanding ways that were used to assert social control by the ritualized society under the totalitarian regime that highly stratified the republic.

Forms of punishment were cruel and meant to eliminate and rebellions. The Aunts at the Red Center carried cattle prods and the Angels carried guns, these were intended to socially control the masses not to be rebellious against the regime but also to punish those who were rebellious. There were also the Salvaging (savage+salvation) and Particicution (execution + Execution) as well as the exiles to Colonies or Jezebel's and the torture plus disappearances that were all feared towards social control.

The rules and regulations in Gilead also asserted the social control and in particular the life of the Handmaids were structured and regulated in an extensive manner. The other citizens were also expected to adhere to given standards of living and way of life in Gilead. The wives were expected to attend the Prayvaganzas and also Birth days. The commanders were also expected to attend the monthly assembly. Despite these various rules and regulations they are often broken and ironically by the same people who should oversee their implementation.

The novel also shows uniform being worn as a means of eliminating individuality but asserting the group belonging. We see a detailed description of the type of uniform that the Handmaids are required to wear in Gilead and each item of the clothing has its unique purpose intended by the system for instance, the headdress was means to keep the women's hair from being seen and also them and other people from seeing other peoples hair (Margaret Artwood, 75).

The hierarchy of the Gilead governance system was purely meant to assert the control over the society that the top leadership had. There were the Marthas, Commanders, Wives, Daughters, unwomen, Handmaids, Guards, angels and Aunts, all of which were social calibers and who all had to display behavior that was fit for their social hierarchy. Religion was also used as a social control tool where the Bible is used to justify the practices of the Gilead and the existence of the regime.

The Jacob and Rachel story, which actually forms the prologue is repeatedly referred to in the novellas being used by the system to define the relationship between the Handmaids, the commanders and the wives. For instance the wives are allowed to hit the handmaids because the Bible allows it. The bible is grossly taken out of context to justify oppression and control especially of women. The intentional subordination of women is also meant to constantly keep them under control in Gilead.

Here, it is believed that women are a inferior to men and the Bible is used anecdotally to justify this assertion. The Handmaids were also valued in as much as they were able to reproduce, otherwise they were relegated to the lower class of the society (Kouhestani).