Handmaids Tale Essay

Michael Ilcyn The experience of living in the world of Gillead with all its restrictions and procedures on love and family upbringing already brings about reconstruction on the society we live and know today. Throughout the story, however, old traditions are secretly brought back, further reconstructing this world in order for it to last. In Chapters 23-26, we start to see how the roles of men and women are continuing to be reconstructed, as rules are broken between Serena, Offred, Nick and the Commander.
In Gillead, handmaids are brought to each household where a woman is incapable of conceiving a child. The family goes through a ritual where bible passages are read, and the handmaid has relations with the man of the house while the wife stands behind her, holding her hands as a symbol of unity. Relations between the husband and the handmaid are impersonal and intended only for procreation, as passion has become a thing of the past.
Offred, however, has not yet become pregnant throughout these rituals, and something must be done to move the process along. In Chapter 23 we read about Offred’s secret meetings with the commander in his study, where they talk, read books and magazines, and play scrabble (something forbidden as women are outlawed from reading). Things between the Commander and Offred start to get more impersonal as the Commander asks Offred to “Kiss him like she means it” at the end of one of their meetings.This brings us to Offred and the Commander’s first indication of reconstruction in bringing about familiarity toward their “business-like” relationship. Each month, the handmaids are to go to the doctors for health examinations to make sure that they are prepared if they were to get pregnant. During one such visit, the doctor comments to Offred that the Commander may be inadequate for consummating. While against the rules, the doctor offers to have relations with Offred and cast the baby off to Serena and the Commander.
Offred refuses as this seems to be yet another small example of reconstruction in bending of the rules in order to bring about expected results. We find out that Offred is not the only person that the doctor has offered service to. We also see this as the commander introduces Offred to his friend Nick. Offred also starts meeting with Nick and connecting with him. Serena, the Commander’s wife, also realizes that the Commander could be at fault for the inability to become pregnant. Serena suggests that Offred tries Nick and to pass the baby off.
Offred’s relationships with each of these men start to resemble more of a courting relationship, as more secrets are kept about the meetings themselves and what goes on. Offred’s relationship with Serena is also risky as any false move can put her into trouble with government. While there are many examples of reconstruction throughout the story “A Handmaids Tale”, the roles of men and women and how they change throughout the book seem to be the most apparent. As a result, it shows us how an overly controlled world only leads to destruction in the end.
Approximate price: $22
We value our customers and so we ensure that what we do is 100% original..

With us you are guaranteed of quality work done by our qualified experts.Your information and everything that you do with us is kept completely confidential.You have to be 100% sure of the quality of your product to give a money-back guarantee. This describes us perfectly. Make sure that this guarantee is totally transparent.The Product ordered is guaranteed to be original. Orders are checked by the most advanced anti-plagiarism software in the market to assure that the Product is 100% original. The Company has a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism.The Free Revision policy is a courtesy service that the Company provides to help ensure Customer’s total satisfaction with the completed Order. To receive free revision the Company requires that the Customer provide the request within fourteen (14) days from the first completion date and within a period of thirty (30) days for dissertations.The Company is committed to protect the privacy of the Customer and it will never resell or share any of Customer’s personal information, including credit card data, with any third party. All the online transactions are processed through the secure and reliable online payment systems.By placing an order with us, you agree to the service we provide. We will endear to do all that it takes to deliver a comprehensive paper as per your requirements. We also count on your cooperation to ensure that we deliver on this mandate.