An essay written as extra work, graded A, on the theme of Totalitarianism in The Handmaid's Tale.
Note: the essay was a practice essay submitted to a teacher prior to studying quotes and hence, it focuses predominantly on the theme and not the quotes.
Totalitarianism
The theme of totalitarianism is prominent throughout Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale."
The setting of the story is a dystopian society called Gilead, where a group of powerful and
oppressive leaders control every aspect of the lives of the people.
Offred, the main character, starts the book in a society where women's freedoms and rights
have been taken away. They are prohibited from working, owning property, or even reading.
They are forced to become handmaids and bear children for the ruling class because the
government has taken control of their bodies and fertility.
The government constantly monitors Offred and tries to control her every move. She is under
constant surveillance by the "Eyes," a group of government agents who monitor citizens, and
she is denied privacy. She is also under the control of the Commander, the ruling class of
Gilead, who use her to have children and enjoy themselves.
Religion is used as a tool of control and oppression by the Gilead government. Women's
subjugation and the persecution of those who do not adhere to the government's strict religious
beliefs are justified by the Bible. The government uses religious manipulation to justify its
actions and win the support of the people.
Language manipulation is also used to illustrate the concept of totalitarianism. Newspeak is a
brand-new language developed by the Gilead government to limit and control citizens' thoughts
and actions. Individuality and dissent are no longer expressed through words and phrases,
making it difficult for citizens to express their true thoughts and feelings.
In conclusion, "The Handmaid's Tale," written by Margaret Atwood, is a potent account of the
dangers of totalitarianism. The novel demonstrates how religion, language manipulation, and
surveillance can be used by a government to control and manipulate its citizens. It serves as a
cautionary tale about the perils that come with granting a government an excessive amount of
power and control over our lives.
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