The Main Themes In The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian fiction novel that was written by Margaret Atwood in the mid-80s. In a world where fertility among the female population has severely declined, certain women are forced to be sex-slaves for high-ranking officials and their wives for the sole purpose of bearing their children. Moira, Offred’s lesbian best friend, is a feminist whose relationship with her represents hope, friendship, rebellion and non-conformity, which grows as the novel progresses. As stated above, Moira symbolizes rebellion. In the beginning of the novel, the fertile women that have committed crimes that go against Gilead’s laws have been rounded up in a gym. This is where Moira and Offred reunite and reminisce about memories together. This seemingly small gesture gives a glimpse into how the pair are already rebelling, as they are breaking the rules by speaking to one another and talking about their ‘old’ lives. Also, in one of Offred’s flashbacks, she recalls that Moira doesn’t like pantyhose, and proceeds to show the effect this has on her own actions by saying that she, herself, likes to take off her wings and her habit and feel her hair on her shoulder. Therefore, a couple themes arise during these events, such as friendship and rebellion.
Secondly, Moira’s somewhat mischievous nature causes Offred to also conjure up ways to rebel and find a way to leave a mark and show her ability to go against the current accepted norms. In this part of the text, Offred and Moira are having secret meetings behind the Aunts’ backs. During one of these meetings, Moira’s plan to escape the Red Center by faking an illness to get on the ambulance and seduce the drivers is revealed, as well as Offred’s fantasies in which she wants to seduce other men in order to get power. The two know the consequences of these actions could be death, but they think about it anyways. Although Offred also thought about escaping, only Moira went through with it, which sets a precedent for future events in which Offred uses this as encouragement for her own rebellion. Also, Moira fails at this attempt, and is severely beaten. However, Offred refuses to conform, especially since her best friend got hurt, and so she steals sugar in solidarity. Her progression throughout the novel is evident, as she is now ‘acting out.’
The theme of rebellion is still consistent with these turn of events. In addition, Moira’s influence on Offred continues to grow. When Offred and the Commander are in his study and he asks her for a kiss, she briefly wonders whether or not she should follow in Moira’s footsteps and attempt to make a weapon out of a toilet paper and kill him during their next visit. Offred seems to want to go the more violent route like Moira, which shows their desperation and highlights how far they are willing to go to change anything about their situation. Furthermore, Offred has begun think like her best friend, which is shown when she gets an electric fan in her room and immediately thinks about how it could be used as a weapon and that Moira would have found a way to transform it into one. This turn in events shows that as Offred and Moira’s friendship has grown, so has Offred. She is more bold and willing to take risks that could get her sent to the Colonies.
In conclusion, the main themes expressed in the passage that were consistent with Offred and Moira’s actions were non-conformity, rebellion, and friendship. Also, Atwood left an ambiguous ending to the novel because there is a scene where Offred is being taken away, and whether or not this signals her end or a new beginning for her is left to the reader’s imagination.
