Week 5
The beginning of the story begins with a description of the town of Omelas. The descriptions depicts the town to be a joyous place, where the people are happy with what they have. They are a peaceful people who are about to enjoy their summer festivities. While reading the end of the story, the idea that the town was a happy place was in my head. I began to think, how could a town be so happy with such a dark secret? I was confused by the behavior of the people, I believe that the happiness is a mask. Le Guin creates tension in the text by slowly unraveling the truth behind Omelas. She explains how "Happiness" does not necessarily mean "innocence". Her pacing lets the reader know to stay buckled in till the end of the ride. She unveils all of the facts slowly so the reader has no choice but to continue reading. After reading, I was left with various questions. What deal did they make, and with whom? The small child is locked in a cell, and the reader's only knowledge of why is that so the whole town can stay happy. Also, a question that every reader probably has is where are the people going, the ones who leave? The author explains how it seems as if they have a destination, where is it?
Week 6
Atwood tells the reader much about the world of "The Handmaid's Tale" by explaining the role that Offred is in, and explaining the surroundings that she sees. It is important to note that women in her world are completely suppressed. A handmaid's role is to reproduce, and they are not permitted every day things like reading, or travelling alone. They must not look at any man in a sexual way, for that is a sin. Offred's world has no separation of church and state. All of the rules and regulations are based off of the bible. Violators of these laws are punished; it was shown in the story that people were hung for the crime of abortion, even though that the act took place prior to the new government. Before her life as a handmaid, she had a family. She lived happily and unknowingly took for granted the freedom's that she used to have and exercise freely. In her new role, she is so powerless that she gets satisfaction from winking at a guard, or even stealing a little butter, since those things are basically the only things that she actually has control over. She has no control over who she can love, have sex with, or even talk to. She is allowed to talk to other Handmaid's, but even that interaction is cautious because of their fear.
Week 7
In The Handmaid's Tale, there are two pasts. I suppose that the first past is her past before Gilead. Her time before Gilead is important because it gives the reader an understanding of how drastic the changes were. She had a family, had a relationship with someone who had their own family, she did a lot of things that were get her killed in Gilead. It adds to the absurdity of the rules of her new world, women are completely subdued. The second past is her time at the retraining center. Her time at the retraining center is important because she is "re-trained". In a sense, she has to re learn how to live an every day life, she has to throw away her previous role and take up a new one as a handmaid. Her time there is included to show the reader how Gilead "thinks", and the steps it took to get to where it is at the point in the story where we are now. Women were gathered and taught to be obedient, and throw away any independence that they have. The pasts that are spoken about in the story add to Offred's current story because without it, we would not understand what Offred went through to become a handmaid. Her past influences her life, her thoughts, and actions. The retraining center broke her down, Gilead does not view her as an individual.
Week 8
The final section, the academic commentary, really changes my whole understanding of Offred's story. I really never understood how she got her story across. I figured she wrote it down on some hidden piece of paper and never spoke a word about it. This idea was my leading idea, but after I read the end, I realized that women were not permitted ordinary freedoms like reading or writing, so she probably had no writing utensils, plus she was probably terrified of being caught. The fact that her story was technically pieced together by recordings that were found, and people had to piece her story together. That is astounding to me, because it shows that even though she was in an environment where rebelling would mean her life, she still had the guts to take secret recordings so people know what life was like in Gilead. It re-framed the way I understood the text because now I get the full understanding of how dangerous a place Offred lived in. She secretly recorded her daily events so future generations would never revert to that lifestyle. The commentary ridicules that lifestyle as it should, and it is refreshing to know that Gilead's rain was cut short.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Reflective Essay
Throughout English 103, we have performed various activities and read texts that fall into the category of science fiction. This sub-genre is filled with themes associated with gender, race, religion, and others which are interesting to read about and analyze. Through the activities in the course, we were able to analyze pieces of literature easily, story by story. The class itself has been helpful in practicing my skills and further advancing them in reading, editing, and working in a group.
The readings in this class were very unique to me. Never before have I read a gruesome story such as "Bloodchild" by Octavia E. Butler, or a suspenseful story like "Black Box" by Jennifer Egan. These readings opened my eyes to several types of writing, my eyes were opened to many themes. One theme that stuck out to me is from the story "Bloodchild". Suppression is an important theme in that piece, specifically in this case it is more from a slavery standpoint. It is important to note that this theme can be carried over to other pieces that we read, like "The Semplica Girl Diaries" by George Saunders, or even The Handmaid’s tale by Margaret Atwood. That is the beauty of this course, it is easy to relate two pieces together and use that knowledge to create good pieces of analytical responses. My weekly work greatly impacted my understanding of the texts.
Every week, we were assigned a micro essay, a discussion post, and peer responses. All of these assignments proved to be helpful in their own way. The discussion posts were an efficient and quick way of getting ideas flowing, and also a good way to see how others in the class were interpreting the readings. The ability to bounce ideas back and forth helps everyone create new ideas, which then can be translated onto the micro essays. The micro essays had prompts that ranged from a “crux”, to an “outside research” prompt. Pieces like the crux really assisted in understanding the text. Since the premise of the prompt is to pick a piece of text that is a turning point to the story, it was easy to explore the different ideas that I was exposed to while reading. Other prompts such as “monologue” gave readers a point of view through the eyes of a different character, which is effective for first person narratives. The ability to see the world the author has built through a different viewpoint is intriguing. Research prompts allow the student to possibly find an inspiration an author had, or to find a connection within history. For example, the slavery theme can be researched for a better grasp.
Along with the micro essays, we were assigned peer responses. The peer responses were useful. Most students provided valid feedback to my pieces, and I utilized what I grasped from the constructive criticism. On the contrary, writing the actual responses was tedious at times. Many of the pieces focused on similar themes, so reading them became redundant. It is easy to pick out format errors, but when analyzing two pieces about the same theme, it is easy to confuse the two pieces. It is important to note that although it may have been repetitive, the responses were thought out, and I myself try to incorporate those critiques in my writing.
The very last class, my group and I presented our group project. Our story was “The Lottery”, and for our presentation we actually performed the ceremony for a lottery. Preparation for the project was thorough and efficient. We split the work among ourselves, and met once a week to discuss the progress and discuss the project as a whole. These meetings tackled objectives and troubleshooted problems so that our project flowed smoothly. This was the first time all year where I had this much time to work with a group for an English class, and the experience was satisfying. Because I am an engineer, I work in groups often, but the topics are usually scientific. It was refreshing to explore the arts and literature, and now I feel more well rounded.
English 103 was a positive experience where I got a great amount of work done in only 10 short weeks. This work was not grueling, the readings were enjoyable, and the work was productive rather than tedious. I even had a great experience with my fellow group members. Overall, I feel accomplished with what I have taken from this course.
Peer Responses (5-9)
Week 5
Alex Varsik,
You picked a good quote, but it seems that you just summarized the story rather than explain the quotes importance to the story. Next time make sure you review what a crux theme is. I enjoyed the quote you chose because it is an important instance where the author questions the audience. Like you said, the author spent most of the beginning convincing the audience how great a place Omelas was, insisting any of their wildest dreams would come true there.The quote you chose really emphasizes the fact that the happiness is an allusion. It is also a foreshadowing to the alarming event that the reader was approaching. You give a good idea of what the moral of the story is, stating how nothing is free, happiness has consequences. If you incorporated this into your interpretation of the quote, that would have added an intriguing side to your story. Lastly, make sure to use MLA format.
Tom Rossi,
I am impressed with everything that you took out of this quote since I just got done reading another reflection on this quote, great to see two sides of the story. I believe this quote is pivotal for many reasons such as it's foreshadowing aspect, as well as the doubt that it presents in the root of the happiness in Omelas. You presented many points that I thought of as well while I was reading, such that the child represents society. It makes sense since in society is always criticizing those for various reasons and that creates a false image of what is a good or bad lifestyle. Your hint at how Omelas is sheltered is interesting as well, since it seems that the people of Omelas have the idea that they are the center of the world, thus implying that everyone is happy. Remember to stay in MLA format and use more quotes.
Week 6
Micheal Kelly,
Reading this post was enjoyable because it was nice to peek inside the mind of someone other than Offred. Your interpretation was interesting because you gave him the light of actually being a decent man, I had pictured him as someone who was willing to take advantage of a defensless woman. That is why I enjoyed reading this because truly it is impossible to know what the doctor's motive due to the first person point of view, this gives an alternate point of view. First I want to point out that I believe the commander and his wife also try and reproduce? It is not clear if they are still trying now, maybe the wife cannot reproduce. The commander seems to be an old man, it is troubling why people around him are not coming to the conclusion that he is sterile. Remember to stay in MLA format, I know this is a diary submission but there must be some rules that need to be followed. Also, try and be careful of spelling errors. You used body's instead of the plural for bodies in the third paragraph. Lastly, some of your sentences are choppy and disturb the flow of the piece, concise statements are encouraged but make sure they are developed.
John Gilligan,
The quote you chose perfectly explains the whole system in Gilead. Authorities in Gilead believe that what they are doing to women is for their own good. There are two sides to this quote just like you explained. Yes, women are "protected", they are protected from being violated and raped, but that is only because they are completely subdued by the society, they have no real freedoms. Men in Gilead have much more freedom than women. But even so the freedom to love who you want is taken away. You did a great job with MLA format, margins and everything. You used great in text citations. It is nice that you used evicence from our world around us, and clearly that evidence adds to the understanding of the whole story, but more evidence from the text would have carried this piece a longer way. Also the point of crux is to prove how this piece of text is a turning point, or reveal major concern. If you related this quote directly to Offred it may have helped you develope a reason why this quote was a turning point to the story. Overall good job and continue following MLA rules.
Week 7
Yaroslav Savchuk,
This quote was a pivotal point in the story, and clearly a turning point because it shows the human side of the commander, while he breaks the rules too. The commander is the man of the house, and men in general rule Gilead, but even in this world men are still held back, they do not have freedom to love who they want. In the commander's case, he does not even have the freedom to have sex with who he wants, that is why Offred is there. The game of scrabble gives Offred an opportunity to use skills that she has not used in a long while, and the commander is giving her that opportunity which is really surprising. Your crux of this quote is pretty good.
In terms of your writing you did not use any MLA format. You provided a works cited, but did not use any in text citations. All your evidence is taken from the book obviously but its good to get in the rhythm of using real citations. Also, try using better terminology. You said that the commander was trying to "get some". I think there are other ways to imply that he may have been trying to have sexual relations with Offred.
Jasmine Mortazavi,
The quote you chose is very important and connects to not only Offred but every handmaid. Moira is a symbol of hope and freedom for the handmaids. She escaped the tyranny, the lifestyle. For women this is probably only something that they could dream about. Moira is another underlying factor for Offred to continue grinding through this mess and to continue being rebellious. You make great points but I believe that you fail to go deeper into the meaning and symbolism of Moira. Moira is a light for Offred, but Offred is not the only one who knew Moira. Moira represents a fault in the whole system of Gilead, she got away. It is unknown as to what she is doing right now, and that is the whole beauty of Moiras story, she is alone. She is no longer part of the system. I believe you spent too much time explaining the situation and moiras story rather than explaing how the quote is a turning point to a handmaid's life. Still, the quote was good and your points were valid but more details would have been good. Other than that great MLA format and citations, next time make sure to include a works cited.
Week 8
Jordan Gilber,
Your quote is an interesting picture of how Offred is having some identity issues. Offred is not only Offred, she is a human being with a different life and background being forced into this new life. Her life is not "new" but it is still a drastic change. Your points on surveillance and scrutiny of Gilead is important, and I can see how it relates to the quote in terms of how that society has made Offred feel this way, but I feel as if you did not relate this quote closely enough to Offred. Crux is to prove how a piece of text is a turning point to the story, how is this quote relevant? Yes, Offred is fighting against the people oppressing her in various ways, but I feel as if this point does not relate to the quote. Also your essay is in MLA format visually, but you did not cite the quote, nor did you use any in text citations. Along with this you failed to include a works cited. I am just pointing this out because it is important to break bad habits, this advice is something that I should listen to as well. Next time try finding more direct evidence to a piece of text.
Alex Varsik,
You picked a good quote, but it seems that you just summarized the story rather than explain the quotes importance to the story. Next time make sure you review what a crux theme is. I enjoyed the quote you chose because it is an important instance where the author questions the audience. Like you said, the author spent most of the beginning convincing the audience how great a place Omelas was, insisting any of their wildest dreams would come true there.The quote you chose really emphasizes the fact that the happiness is an allusion. It is also a foreshadowing to the alarming event that the reader was approaching. You give a good idea of what the moral of the story is, stating how nothing is free, happiness has consequences. If you incorporated this into your interpretation of the quote, that would have added an intriguing side to your story. Lastly, make sure to use MLA format.
Tom Rossi,
I am impressed with everything that you took out of this quote since I just got done reading another reflection on this quote, great to see two sides of the story. I believe this quote is pivotal for many reasons such as it's foreshadowing aspect, as well as the doubt that it presents in the root of the happiness in Omelas. You presented many points that I thought of as well while I was reading, such that the child represents society. It makes sense since in society is always criticizing those for various reasons and that creates a false image of what is a good or bad lifestyle. Your hint at how Omelas is sheltered is interesting as well, since it seems that the people of Omelas have the idea that they are the center of the world, thus implying that everyone is happy. Remember to stay in MLA format and use more quotes.
Week 6
Micheal Kelly,
Reading this post was enjoyable because it was nice to peek inside the mind of someone other than Offred. Your interpretation was interesting because you gave him the light of actually being a decent man, I had pictured him as someone who was willing to take advantage of a defensless woman. That is why I enjoyed reading this because truly it is impossible to know what the doctor's motive due to the first person point of view, this gives an alternate point of view. First I want to point out that I believe the commander and his wife also try and reproduce? It is not clear if they are still trying now, maybe the wife cannot reproduce. The commander seems to be an old man, it is troubling why people around him are not coming to the conclusion that he is sterile. Remember to stay in MLA format, I know this is a diary submission but there must be some rules that need to be followed. Also, try and be careful of spelling errors. You used body's instead of the plural for bodies in the third paragraph. Lastly, some of your sentences are choppy and disturb the flow of the piece, concise statements are encouraged but make sure they are developed.
John Gilligan,
The quote you chose perfectly explains the whole system in Gilead. Authorities in Gilead believe that what they are doing to women is for their own good. There are two sides to this quote just like you explained. Yes, women are "protected", they are protected from being violated and raped, but that is only because they are completely subdued by the society, they have no real freedoms. Men in Gilead have much more freedom than women. But even so the freedom to love who you want is taken away. You did a great job with MLA format, margins and everything. You used great in text citations. It is nice that you used evicence from our world around us, and clearly that evidence adds to the understanding of the whole story, but more evidence from the text would have carried this piece a longer way. Also the point of crux is to prove how this piece of text is a turning point, or reveal major concern. If you related this quote directly to Offred it may have helped you develope a reason why this quote was a turning point to the story. Overall good job and continue following MLA rules.
Week 7
Yaroslav Savchuk,
This quote was a pivotal point in the story, and clearly a turning point because it shows the human side of the commander, while he breaks the rules too. The commander is the man of the house, and men in general rule Gilead, but even in this world men are still held back, they do not have freedom to love who they want. In the commander's case, he does not even have the freedom to have sex with who he wants, that is why Offred is there. The game of scrabble gives Offred an opportunity to use skills that she has not used in a long while, and the commander is giving her that opportunity which is really surprising. Your crux of this quote is pretty good.
In terms of your writing you did not use any MLA format. You provided a works cited, but did not use any in text citations. All your evidence is taken from the book obviously but its good to get in the rhythm of using real citations. Also, try using better terminology. You said that the commander was trying to "get some". I think there are other ways to imply that he may have been trying to have sexual relations with Offred.
Jasmine Mortazavi,
The quote you chose is very important and connects to not only Offred but every handmaid. Moira is a symbol of hope and freedom for the handmaids. She escaped the tyranny, the lifestyle. For women this is probably only something that they could dream about. Moira is another underlying factor for Offred to continue grinding through this mess and to continue being rebellious. You make great points but I believe that you fail to go deeper into the meaning and symbolism of Moira. Moira is a light for Offred, but Offred is not the only one who knew Moira. Moira represents a fault in the whole system of Gilead, she got away. It is unknown as to what she is doing right now, and that is the whole beauty of Moiras story, she is alone. She is no longer part of the system. I believe you spent too much time explaining the situation and moiras story rather than explaing how the quote is a turning point to a handmaid's life. Still, the quote was good and your points were valid but more details would have been good. Other than that great MLA format and citations, next time make sure to include a works cited.
Week 8
Jordan Gilber,
Your quote is an interesting picture of how Offred is having some identity issues. Offred is not only Offred, she is a human being with a different life and background being forced into this new life. Her life is not "new" but it is still a drastic change. Your points on surveillance and scrutiny of Gilead is important, and I can see how it relates to the quote in terms of how that society has made Offred feel this way, but I feel as if you did not relate this quote closely enough to Offred. Crux is to prove how a piece of text is a turning point to the story, how is this quote relevant? Yes, Offred is fighting against the people oppressing her in various ways, but I feel as if this point does not relate to the quote. Also your essay is in MLA format visually, but you did not cite the quote, nor did you use any in text citations. Along with this you failed to include a works cited. I am just pointing this out because it is important to break bad habits, this advice is something that I should listen to as well. Next time try finding more direct evidence to a piece of text.
Alex Varsik,
Great comparison between two stories. Your quote relates to both stories so well that if you quoted it and put (Leguin pg 211) after it you may have even fooled me! HA! With that being said, it is evident in the historical note after the story that the commander was actually a founding father to the city of Gilead. The fact that this quote came from him implies that this is an ideology which he himself used to reason with. We know that the commander has been kind to Offred, by playing scrabble with her, but beneath this kindness is this thought which you quoted. Even after his kindness he still believes this way. This quote along with many others is another example of how every day life of Gilead is. With compensation, occupation gets thrown under the rug. You use evidence to show how the citizens cope with the oppression, and this coping mechanism makes life a little easier. That is the meaning of this quote. You use correct MLA format, which is great, and use in text citations perfectly. It is important to practice MLA format. One thing to remember is to include a works cited. You used two texts so it is important to include every work you use.
Great comparison between two stories. Your quote relates to both stories so well that if you quoted it and put (Leguin pg 211) after it you may have even fooled me! HA! With that being said, it is evident in the historical note after the story that the commander was actually a founding father to the city of Gilead. The fact that this quote came from him implies that this is an ideology which he himself used to reason with. We know that the commander has been kind to Offred, by playing scrabble with her, but beneath this kindness is this thought which you quoted. Even after his kindness he still believes this way. This quote along with many others is another example of how every day life of Gilead is. With compensation, occupation gets thrown under the rug. You use evidence to show how the citizens cope with the oppression, and this coping mechanism makes life a little easier. That is the meaning of this quote. You use correct MLA format, which is great, and use in text citations perfectly. It is important to practice MLA format. One thing to remember is to include a works cited. You used two texts so it is important to include every work you use.
Mini Essays (5-9)
Week 5 (Monologue)
Today started out as any normal day, I woke up, completed my chores, and was ready for anything the world had to throw at me. The Festival of Summer is just around the corner, and everyone in town is preparing for the event. For weeks my little brother has been talking about how excited he is to race against the other boys. My mother has been preparing foods, and my father has been helping around the house. Apparently, today was my turn to prepare for the festivities.
My mother pulled me aside, she wanted to have a word with me. “Honey, the Festival of Summer is coming up, and it will commemorate the happiness and prosperity that we, the people of Omelas, have been sharing for all these years.” said my mom. “Today, I want you to find out why we live such happy lives.”
“Great!”, I thought. I am so proud of where I am from, I cannot wait to find out why I am so lucky to live in Omelas. So many ideas were rushing through my head. I imagined this great story, where we, the people of Omelas, fought for our freedom against an opposing empire. I imagined a great meeting of officials, signing a long document, stating how the proud people of Omelas will live lives of freedom.
My mother and I walked to one of the big public buildings, decorated with white columns, and a large staircase. She led me into the building, through the hallways and down the several sets of stairs until we finally reached the basement. The whole walk, I asked questions but was given minimal answers. Finally I asked, “Mom, what are we doing in the basement?”. She led me to a locked door, grabbed the door knob, and looked at me in the eyes. “Behind this door lies the source for our happiness. Whatever you see will alarm you, but know that it is for the sake of our people.” An eerie chill ran down my spine. She opened the door, and instantly a rancid aroma filled my nostrils. By the time my eyes could process what I was seeing, my knees were shaking and I was nauseous from the smell alone. I saw a small, starving, stick-thin boy, who was lying in his own filth. His skin was brown from the dirt, and he was naked. From the stir of emotions and the smell of rotting flesh, I was knocked unconscious.
I woke up in my bed with a boatload of questions. Who is that boy? Why is he locked in there? My mother entered the room, and sat at the foot of the bed. “That boy is there so we, the people of Omelas, can be happy. Our happiness depends on his misery. If he is ever to leave that cell, and experience happiness, then our beloved Omelas would crumble.” I looked at her, and I began to cry. “Mom, why won’t anyone help him? Who put him in there? How can we be happy while he is left to rot?” She patted my head and ensured that with time I would understand. At that moment, I knew that I had to leave Omelas.
Week 6 (Crux)
“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum” (Atwood p. 52)
The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, is a story that takes place in the city of Gilead, a theocratic place with bizarre practice. The main character, Offred, is a handmaid, who lives in a household where she serves the Commander, who is the head of the house, and his wife. Her duty is to reproduce for them and that is her sole purpose. She is treated poorly and her rights have been taken away from her. Common everyday practices are forbidden, such as reading, writing, freedom of religion, and even the freedom to eat and bathe at her own will.
This quote translates to, “Don’t let the bastards grind you down”. Offred found this written in her room, on the floor of her closet. She concludes that a previous handmaid must have written it down. At the time she does not know what the phrase means, but it allows her to feel connected with the previous occupant of the household. This quote is significant to the understanding of the work as a whole because it helps the reader understand that Offred is part of a whole network of handmaids, who are also struggling just like Offred. Yes, this point may have already been evident in the story, but discovering this quote directly connects Offred with the lineage of handmaid’s that have served in the same household. This quote can potentially drive her to not give up hope, and to continue to push through this hardship.
Later in the story, Offred actually withstands the “bastards”, and does not let them grind her down. It may seem minute, but even the slightest bit of rebellion reflects hope. “There’s a pat of butter on the side of the plate. I tear off a corner of the paper napkin, wrap the butter in it, take it to the cupboard and slip it into the toe of my right shoe, from the extra pair, as I have done before” (Atwood 66). Her action may seem meaningless, but it portrays the fire that still lies in her heart to make it out of Gilead. Even though it is only a piece of butter, if the wife, Serena finds out that she has done this, it is hard to believe that Offred would walk away with no harm done. Offred is risking a great deal just for a pat of butter, so by her following through with this act, it counts as a win in her book.
Overall, this quote symbolizes the powerlessness of women in Gilead, Offred’s connection to other handmaid’s, and hope that Offred must never lose. Her world is twisted, but hopefully if she keeps battling through she will prevail.
Atwood, Margaret. Collapse: The Handmaid’s Tale. New York: Round Table, 1998. Print.
Week 7 (Outside Research)
In The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, the main character, Gilead, lives in a time where the government is ruled by the church. The laws coincide with the views taken from the bible, and people fall into the roles that the bible portrays as well. Authority figures are named based on the bible, and people live in fear of the authority. Gilead is a theocracy. After reading several chapters, I became very interested in theocracies, and how they function. I also became interested with theocracies in the past or present. Offred lives in a puzzling world, and I want to try and understand it as best as I can.Theocracy means a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god.
The word is derived from the Greek words, theos (God) and kratia (power strength). Together, the two mean rule of God. In history, often times kings were regarded as the son of god. If religions had a “holy book”, that book served as God’s word. In a pure theocracy, the leader is believed to have a personal connection with the civilization's religion or belief, like Moses led the Israelites, or Muhammed ruled the early muslims. Theocracy is different from other nonreligious governments that have a state religion. In their case, they are influenced by theological concepts, and the head of the church takes orders from the ruler of the country, not the other way around. (Waskey)
An example of modern day theocracies would be Islamic States. An Islamic state is one that has adopted Sharia Islam as its starting point for laws, and implements the Islamic ruling system of khilafah. Therefore, it is a theocracy. Sharia is the official basis for state laws in countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and several more. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a famous example of an Islamic state. It maintains religious laws, and uses religious courts to portray the law. Everything must be based on Islamic criteria. Their Supreme Leader is a “faqih” (scholar of Islamic law). The Supreme Leader has more power than Iran’s president, which is important to note. The leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts. This is made up of “mujtahids”, who are Islamic scholars dubbed fit to interpret the Sharia faith. Islamic States are good examples of theocracies since they are abundant in today’s world, and are often a topic of discussion in various news reports. (Waskey)
Overall, theocracies are difficult to understand, since the United States has such a different government style, with a separation of church and state. Through research, it is easier to understand Gilead as well as Offred’s life as a citizen of Gilead. Gilead is not an Islamic State, but the structure of the government must be similar, since it is based off of a nationwide religion.
Waskey, Andrew J. "National Social Science Association." National Social Science Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2015.
Week 8 (Monologue of piece of butter)
Day in and day out, it is spontaneous in the refrigerator. The commander and his wife use various combinations of us for when they have their meals. Sometimes they take part of some steak and mix it with various vegetables. Usually in the mornings the milk and eggs make their way in and out of the refrigerator, along with some cheese and bread. One thing is certain, I am utilized for most of the meals throughout the day. I provide great flavor, and spread greatly over bread and other things. The humans do not know we exist, they have no idea that we communicate, nor do they have a clue that we can understand everything they say. When the engineers designed refrigerators, they unknowingly programmed it to give life to the inanimate objects that are in there. Any loaf of bread or stick of butter that has moved in and out of the fridge are tapped into the saved memory that the refrigerator has. Thus, we listen to every meal that they have and know basic things about their lives. The lightly salted butter generations have made their impact here in the fridge.
I often am placed on the table along with the bread for most meals, especially large ones like dinner. Bits and pieces of me go from plate to plate, from pieces of bread to some corn on the cob. Meanwhile I can hear everything from the separate plates. A common topic of discussion is Offred. Serena often ridicules Offred to the commander, whether it is about how she is not fit to bear a child, or about how Offred hasn’t been impregnated yet.
A piece of me is taken to Offred every night along with her dinner plate. She is not permitted to eat with the others. I think this is ridiculous. All of us foods are in the same refrigerator all the time, why does it make a difference? we do not have any trouble with it whatsoever. Often times I see Offred in her room, alone, and I can tell that her loneliness even takes away from her appetite. Poor girl, she is completely subdued by this society.
On this particular night, Offred observed her burnt chicken in disgust. I wonder what her life was like before being here, I wonder what she ate and if she actually enjoyed it. As she forced the chicken down her throat, she looked down at her plate right at me. She ripped off part of her napkin and stuffed me right in there! She had a nervous look on her face while she did it, and stuffed me in her shoe. It must be easy to hide a tiny piece of butter in her room, but she must be really intimidated by the household. Offred does not even dictate when she can eat, when she can sleep, when she can shower. Stealing a small piece of butter must mean a great deal to her. I wonder what she will use it for? Maybe for a stale piece of bread she saved, or to spice up her breakfast. Regardless, I am happy to help her with whatever she needs.
Today started out as any normal day, I woke up, completed my chores, and was ready for anything the world had to throw at me. The Festival of Summer is just around the corner, and everyone in town is preparing for the event. For weeks my little brother has been talking about how excited he is to race against the other boys. My mother has been preparing foods, and my father has been helping around the house. Apparently, today was my turn to prepare for the festivities.
My mother pulled me aside, she wanted to have a word with me. “Honey, the Festival of Summer is coming up, and it will commemorate the happiness and prosperity that we, the people of Omelas, have been sharing for all these years.” said my mom. “Today, I want you to find out why we live such happy lives.”
“Great!”, I thought. I am so proud of where I am from, I cannot wait to find out why I am so lucky to live in Omelas. So many ideas were rushing through my head. I imagined this great story, where we, the people of Omelas, fought for our freedom against an opposing empire. I imagined a great meeting of officials, signing a long document, stating how the proud people of Omelas will live lives of freedom.
My mother and I walked to one of the big public buildings, decorated with white columns, and a large staircase. She led me into the building, through the hallways and down the several sets of stairs until we finally reached the basement. The whole walk, I asked questions but was given minimal answers. Finally I asked, “Mom, what are we doing in the basement?”. She led me to a locked door, grabbed the door knob, and looked at me in the eyes. “Behind this door lies the source for our happiness. Whatever you see will alarm you, but know that it is for the sake of our people.” An eerie chill ran down my spine. She opened the door, and instantly a rancid aroma filled my nostrils. By the time my eyes could process what I was seeing, my knees were shaking and I was nauseous from the smell alone. I saw a small, starving, stick-thin boy, who was lying in his own filth. His skin was brown from the dirt, and he was naked. From the stir of emotions and the smell of rotting flesh, I was knocked unconscious.
I woke up in my bed with a boatload of questions. Who is that boy? Why is he locked in there? My mother entered the room, and sat at the foot of the bed. “That boy is there so we, the people of Omelas, can be happy. Our happiness depends on his misery. If he is ever to leave that cell, and experience happiness, then our beloved Omelas would crumble.” I looked at her, and I began to cry. “Mom, why won’t anyone help him? Who put him in there? How can we be happy while he is left to rot?” She patted my head and ensured that with time I would understand. At that moment, I knew that I had to leave Omelas.
Week 6 (Crux)
“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum” (Atwood p. 52)
The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, is a story that takes place in the city of Gilead, a theocratic place with bizarre practice. The main character, Offred, is a handmaid, who lives in a household where she serves the Commander, who is the head of the house, and his wife. Her duty is to reproduce for them and that is her sole purpose. She is treated poorly and her rights have been taken away from her. Common everyday practices are forbidden, such as reading, writing, freedom of religion, and even the freedom to eat and bathe at her own will.
This quote translates to, “Don’t let the bastards grind you down”. Offred found this written in her room, on the floor of her closet. She concludes that a previous handmaid must have written it down. At the time she does not know what the phrase means, but it allows her to feel connected with the previous occupant of the household. This quote is significant to the understanding of the work as a whole because it helps the reader understand that Offred is part of a whole network of handmaids, who are also struggling just like Offred. Yes, this point may have already been evident in the story, but discovering this quote directly connects Offred with the lineage of handmaid’s that have served in the same household. This quote can potentially drive her to not give up hope, and to continue to push through this hardship.
Later in the story, Offred actually withstands the “bastards”, and does not let them grind her down. It may seem minute, but even the slightest bit of rebellion reflects hope. “There’s a pat of butter on the side of the plate. I tear off a corner of the paper napkin, wrap the butter in it, take it to the cupboard and slip it into the toe of my right shoe, from the extra pair, as I have done before” (Atwood 66). Her action may seem meaningless, but it portrays the fire that still lies in her heart to make it out of Gilead. Even though it is only a piece of butter, if the wife, Serena finds out that she has done this, it is hard to believe that Offred would walk away with no harm done. Offred is risking a great deal just for a pat of butter, so by her following through with this act, it counts as a win in her book.
Overall, this quote symbolizes the powerlessness of women in Gilead, Offred’s connection to other handmaid’s, and hope that Offred must never lose. Her world is twisted, but hopefully if she keeps battling through she will prevail.
Atwood, Margaret. Collapse: The Handmaid’s Tale. New York: Round Table, 1998. Print.
Week 7 (Outside Research)
In The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, the main character, Gilead, lives in a time where the government is ruled by the church. The laws coincide with the views taken from the bible, and people fall into the roles that the bible portrays as well. Authority figures are named based on the bible, and people live in fear of the authority. Gilead is a theocracy. After reading several chapters, I became very interested in theocracies, and how they function. I also became interested with theocracies in the past or present. Offred lives in a puzzling world, and I want to try and understand it as best as I can.Theocracy means a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god.
The word is derived from the Greek words, theos (God) and kratia (power strength). Together, the two mean rule of God. In history, often times kings were regarded as the son of god. If religions had a “holy book”, that book served as God’s word. In a pure theocracy, the leader is believed to have a personal connection with the civilization's religion or belief, like Moses led the Israelites, or Muhammed ruled the early muslims. Theocracy is different from other nonreligious governments that have a state religion. In their case, they are influenced by theological concepts, and the head of the church takes orders from the ruler of the country, not the other way around. (Waskey)
An example of modern day theocracies would be Islamic States. An Islamic state is one that has adopted Sharia Islam as its starting point for laws, and implements the Islamic ruling system of khilafah. Therefore, it is a theocracy. Sharia is the official basis for state laws in countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and several more. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a famous example of an Islamic state. It maintains religious laws, and uses religious courts to portray the law. Everything must be based on Islamic criteria. Their Supreme Leader is a “faqih” (scholar of Islamic law). The Supreme Leader has more power than Iran’s president, which is important to note. The leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts. This is made up of “mujtahids”, who are Islamic scholars dubbed fit to interpret the Sharia faith. Islamic States are good examples of theocracies since they are abundant in today’s world, and are often a topic of discussion in various news reports. (Waskey)
Overall, theocracies are difficult to understand, since the United States has such a different government style, with a separation of church and state. Through research, it is easier to understand Gilead as well as Offred’s life as a citizen of Gilead. Gilead is not an Islamic State, but the structure of the government must be similar, since it is based off of a nationwide religion.
Waskey, Andrew J. "National Social Science Association." National Social Science Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2015.
Week 8 (Monologue of piece of butter)
Day in and day out, it is spontaneous in the refrigerator. The commander and his wife use various combinations of us for when they have their meals. Sometimes they take part of some steak and mix it with various vegetables. Usually in the mornings the milk and eggs make their way in and out of the refrigerator, along with some cheese and bread. One thing is certain, I am utilized for most of the meals throughout the day. I provide great flavor, and spread greatly over bread and other things. The humans do not know we exist, they have no idea that we communicate, nor do they have a clue that we can understand everything they say. When the engineers designed refrigerators, they unknowingly programmed it to give life to the inanimate objects that are in there. Any loaf of bread or stick of butter that has moved in and out of the fridge are tapped into the saved memory that the refrigerator has. Thus, we listen to every meal that they have and know basic things about their lives. The lightly salted butter generations have made their impact here in the fridge.
I often am placed on the table along with the bread for most meals, especially large ones like dinner. Bits and pieces of me go from plate to plate, from pieces of bread to some corn on the cob. Meanwhile I can hear everything from the separate plates. A common topic of discussion is Offred. Serena often ridicules Offred to the commander, whether it is about how she is not fit to bear a child, or about how Offred hasn’t been impregnated yet.
A piece of me is taken to Offred every night along with her dinner plate. She is not permitted to eat with the others. I think this is ridiculous. All of us foods are in the same refrigerator all the time, why does it make a difference? we do not have any trouble with it whatsoever. Often times I see Offred in her room, alone, and I can tell that her loneliness even takes away from her appetite. Poor girl, she is completely subdued by this society.
On this particular night, Offred observed her burnt chicken in disgust. I wonder what her life was like before being here, I wonder what she ate and if she actually enjoyed it. As she forced the chicken down her throat, she looked down at her plate right at me. She ripped off part of her napkin and stuffed me right in there! She had a nervous look on her face while she did it, and stuffed me in her shoe. It must be easy to hide a tiny piece of butter in her room, but she must be really intimidated by the household. Offred does not even dictate when she can eat, when she can sleep, when she can shower. Stealing a small piece of butter must mean a great deal to her. I wonder what she will use it for? Maybe for a stale piece of bread she saved, or to spice up her breakfast. Regardless, I am happy to help her with whatever she needs.
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