Examples Of Resistance In The Handmaid's Tale

Bryan Arcentales
Engl 015
Essay #1
Note:
Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood introduces a society that is different from ours. Allowing certain things not allowed by our society today. For example, the concept of rape is not recognized, Women are property and their only purpose is to breed and listen to their husbands, and limited free speech. Although this society wants to believe that everyone is content with their policies and rules, in reality, there are lots of people who do not put all their faith in this society. Even with this society executing people who are against them, there are still people who resist. Resistance in this story can be put into two categories, minor resistance, and major resistance. Minor

These can be small physical actions or thoughts that the person repeats. Major resistance can be something very noticeable in society and usually comes with the punishment of execution. These actions go directly against this new society's way of life and are treated as an attack that requires hostile payback. Throughout the book, many cases of both resistances are scattered.
In the book, Handmaid's Tale, there are many examples of minor resistance spread throughout the book. These resistances, although not huge, develop the character because it

shows that they do not fully accept the new system in place. The most apparent form of minor resistance is people smoking cigarettes. This is first shown when Offred sees the Guardian Nick, she states that he probably got the cigarettes from the black market "He has a cigarette stuck in the corner of his mouth, which shows that he too has something he can trade on the black market (Atwood page #).” Offred can have a smoke because the Commander's Wife, Serena Joy, gave her a cigarette, "' Could I have a match?' I asked her. Surprising how much of a small begging child she makes me feel, simply by her scowl, her

This resistance can directly attack the system their society goes by. Committing these resistances can call for execution. Then display their bodies to set them as an example. An example of this is when Offred’s doctor offered to impregnate her. If the doctor were caught asking that alone would have been enough to get him executed (find page #). This is a major point in the story, and it is shown to happen a lot since the doctor said it is normal for him to offer this service. Another form of this resistance is Handmaidens refusing to get pregnant or sterilize themselves. The whole reason for the Handmaidens or women in general in this society is to be obedient to their husbands and breeding. Refusing this norm goes directly against their way and thus earns them the title Unwoman to classify them. Another resistance that gets introduced later in the book is Nick and Offred's affair. Offred is partnered up with Luke and is supposed to bear his children, but Offred does have sex with Nick as well. The situation, however, is not weird since the Handmaids were sent to sleep with others. For example, Offred was also sent to the Commander's room for illicit activities. The thing that changes in Nick and Offred's case is that they had developed feelings for each other. This act was bad since Offred is supposed to be Luke's partner. Going against loyalty on that