Download Handmaid's tale- Power essay and the ideas of language features, and reader positioning. and more Essays (high school) English in PDF only on Docsity! Introduction – PETA In "The Handmaid's Tale," power is a central and pervasive theme, serving as the cornerstone for interconnected concepts such as gender, identity, class rebellion, and religion. Graeme Stuart's definition of power is, “the ability of a person to shape the thoughts, feelings, or behaviour of others”. This tutorial aims to dissect Atwood's portrayal of power, through the lens of literary devices like character development, language and reader positioning. Context – PETA The context for Atwood's exploration of power is rooted in the gender power battles of the 1970s/80s, a period often referred to as the second wave of feminism. This era witnessed movements striving for increased opportunities and freedoms for women, leading to a simultaneous gain of influence and power. However, this progress was met with substantial opposition, particularly from conservative political organisations, including the Reagan Administration. Ronald Reagan's presidency (1981-89) marked the implementation of a conservative policy agenda prioritizing religious conservatism. Atwood perceived the rise of the Christian right during this period as a significant threat to the hard- fought gains of feminism. Power and the use of characters - PETA The Commander Atwood has constructed the Commander as a stereotypical example of the power archetype. He is a wealthy, Caucasian, masculine, authoritarian Christian. Everything Gilead society holds dear. His title, Commander, even alludes to his authority over others. He values conservative gender rules, where men rule women; obedience; and conservative Christian values. Although Offred and the Commander occasionally get along well, the central conflict is that he has complete control over her and has the ability to force her to do things against her will. Offred reflects "The commander could give me away so easily, by a look, by a gesture." (Chapter 26). This quotation demonstrates how Offred feels
