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Examples Of Power In The Handmaid's Tale

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Rebellion Caused by Power
“I enjoy the power; power of a dog bone, passive but there.” (25) The power a character feels they have changes how they present themselves. The confidence they gain from attention and strength becomes the confidence used to rebel. Power used for and against someone can cause them to be distraught and make a dangerous choice for multiple parties involved. Power dynamics play into the oppression that leads citizens to make rebellious decisions. This is shown in the novel The Handmaid’s Tale throughout the text.

The Aunts and the Handmaids are an interesting dynamic that influences so much of the story. The Handmaid’s first introduction to this new totalitarian world was through the Aunts at the Red Centre. The Aunts …show more content…

“...bends his head to try to get a look at my face. I raise my head a little, to help him, he sees my eyes and I see his , and he blushes.” (24) Offred holds power over the Guardians who she walks by as she seems to make them a bit flustered just by lifting her skirt and by lifting her head so they can see her face. They aren’t supposed to be looking and she shouldn’t be doing it but that power is something that helps keep her feeling a little bit normal. “Nick looks up and begins to whistle. Then he says,’Nice walk?’ I nod, but do not answer with my voice. He isn’t supposed to talk to me.”(49) This quote is the first time you see this new dynamic between Offred and Nick. Offred enjoys this but she knows that the risk would be much too great to do anything. He is less afraid since he is a Guardian who holds more power over her. When Nick and Offred start seeing each other they are both breaking many rules but now Offred holds more power. He can’t do anything to ensure she comes to see him but she can decide if she wants to. This quote “...It’s all right. It’s Mayday. Go with them…Trust me”(338) proves that over time Nick must have developed a need to care for Offred and would risk himself to save her. This all started because he used his power over her to make small comments that would then lead into helping her escape by using his power. Small acts of rebellion are still rebellion when you look at the bigger picture that everyone is oppressed and needs to get away from the

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