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The Power Of Words In The Handmaid's Tale

320 Words2 Pages

Language has the power to raise people’s spirits or to install fear. In a patriarchal dystopian society the power of words is essential; using them gives the ability to take away freedom. Incorporating new words into literature can structure new meanings into a society. Using biblical references can have strong repercussions when used on an unassuming audience. Using language in your head can keep your thoughts alive. In The Handmaid’s Tale written by Margaret Atwood, the government has power over all words. With this power it has the ability to rewrite history, create new words, and reinvent meanings. Unwomen is a newly created word that is central to the new regime in the story. Its signifies that unless a woman is fertile or can

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