Examine how Atwood presents Offred’s sense of self in “The Handmaid’s Tale”

Sense of egotism can be defined by the roles, attri neverthelesses, behaviours, and associations that we consider nearly historic active our selves. 1 Atwood wrote The Handmaids Tale during the 80s (1986 to be precise) an era of power-dressing. A key icon of the power-dressing was the wife of the American president, Nancy Reagan, who wore outfits with huge shoulder pads, making her look more masculine. Famous women like her encapsulated what the women of the time aspi inflammation to be rich, beautiful, intelligent and powerful. In The Handmaids Tale, Off reddish constantly refers back to her old life and the way she used to sprint herself in comparison to the way she looks now. She remembers, Makeup3 and bathing suits and platform shoes4, sheer pantyhose against the splutter5, and the smell of nail paint6. All these things relate to the image that she once aspired to obtain, and this constant regression shows how she longs to spend to her life before the governance, when sh e was secure in her identity.The air of desirability Atwood gives these things reflects how Offred desires them. However, this does not mean that Offred needs these things to think her sense of self Atwood simply uses them as symbols of Offreds true identity which she attri onlyes to herself and her life before the regime. In contrast, Atwood uses shun language to describe the red dress Offred now wears. The phrases, a nondescript woman in red7 and, the colour of blood, which defines us8 hint at Offreds contempt towards her red dress.This shows how Offred recognises that her obligatory red dress is not a reflection of her personality (as clothing should be) but a barrier among her and the rest of the world in this dress she is Offred, a Handmaid and nothing else. Even her observe, Offred is evidence of the regime taking past her identity because it can be interpretated as, Of-Fred meaning that she is Freds (the Commanders) possession. This concept supports Simone de Beauvoirs c omments that, she is defined and differentiated with mention to man and not with reference to her9.In The Handmaids Tale the name Offred does not tell the referee anything about Offred as a person, it only tells them that she is a Handmaid who belongs to the Commander, Fred, her in reality identity is not referred to at all. Our name calling become a part of who we argon and we are identified by them after losing her name, Offred get holds the need to inspire herself of it, to ensure her true identity is not lost, This name has an aura around it, like an amulet, some entrance thats survived from an unimaginably distant past. 10 The words, aura, amulet and, charm create a semantic region of mystery and magic which reflects Offreds feelings towards her name now that she is not allowed to use it, she views it as something to be in care of, something she must treasure and, dig up, one day11. The word, amulet refers to something that protects you from danger the danger for Offred would be to in all lose her sense of self so Offred refers to this name in order to connect with her self because she recognises that she is not in truth part of this regime at all she remembers her real name to separate herself from it.However, the importance of Offreds real name in the redevelopment of her sense of self is accurately demonstrated when she tells ding, I tell him my real name, and feel that therefore I am known. 12 Offreds real name is extremely personal to her, before she felt as if she was simply a Handmaid with no other identity but once she tells chip off her real name she feels as if she is telling him who she really is, apart from the regime. Atwood also uses the character of notch as a literary tool to develop Offreds sense of self, through the development of her sexual identity.Nick becomes a recurring theme, representing masculinity he is described as having fore fortify which are, tanned but with a stipple of off hairs13, whereas Offred imagines tha t the Commander has a,white, tufted raw body14which makes him sound like the absolute opposite of Nick, undesirable and subfusc and subconsciously Offred rejects him showing that she still has the power to chose who she falls in love with or feels emotion towards.Offreds emotions are unique to her and therefore define part of her identity during the conception ceremony Offreds narrative includes very smaller emotion and her nip is detached, One detaches oneself. One describes. 15 By referring to one in general and not specifically to herself shows how Offred is using denial as a defence mechanism to avoid the shameful truth that she is actually having sex with the Commander she even says, what he is fucking is the lower part of my body16.Atwood uses this detached tone to illustrate how Offred has become accustomed to how her body has been violated, but the expletive, fucking shows that she does not agree with it and is angry at this violation. She wants the reader to understand t hat throughout all this, Offred is trying to retain her sense of self and is still herself in her mind. In contrast, Offreds forbidden sexual relationship with Nick is a loving relationship which creates a gibe with the similar forbidden relationship she had with Luke, before the regime.Offred used to view herself as Lukes lover, then eventually his wife, these were roles that were important to her and roles that she attributed to her identity, Can I be blamed for wanting a real body to put my arms around? Without it I too am free. 17 The rhetorical question shows how confused and alone Offred feels and the word, disembodied highlights Offreds need to feel loved in a physical relationship because she defines herself through her interaction with others, but in the dystopian society in which she lives this social and unrestrained interaction has been removed.When Offred finally does sleep with Nick he becomes a substitute for Luke, I went back to Nick. Time after time on my own, wi thout Serena intimate. 18 Atwood uses short sentences to give the reader a blunt and concise account of what happened the circumstance that Offred slept with Nick is irrelevant in comparison to the implications it has. The small, insignificant rebellions Offred has executed throughout the sweet come to a climax at this point in the story, where Offred shows that she is willing to sacrifice her life and social standing in an exertion to express her true self.The phrase, on my own draws attention to Offreds new found confidence and independence and the fact that Serena does not know about it symbolises her freedom from the regime. Atwood uses personal pronouns, I tell, therefore, you are, which enables Offred to personalise the listener/reader whom she is narrating to. Her references to the unidentified, you is ironic, because in a way she is talking to herself, about herself. She is becoming introspective and generates a sense of self pity through creating this other person.Atwoo d is trying to make the reader feel included in the novel she is also giving Offred a way of coping with her loneliness and isolation. This notion supports Helene Cixous belief that, By writing her self, woman will return to the body which has been more than confiscated from her. 19 By telling her story Offred portraits a part of her personality and therefore, a part of her identity in her story, and because she cannot freely express her personality in the society in which she lives, she resorts to living in the memories of her nameless audience.Offreds storytelling also supports Malliks opinion that Atwood includes, basic victim positions20 in her novel, because she tells her story to her audience in order to regain a part of her identity which she realises has been taken away from her and as the novel progresses she becomes more willing to rebel to reclaim it. Atwood uses the narrative tone to reflect the excited state of the narrator.At the beginning of the novel Offred is conf used, like a sleepwalker conceiving disjointed perceptions of its surroundings,21 but by the end of the novel, the narrative voice assumes a fully engaged emotional tone which reflects Offreds emotional development, and mirrors how she is no longer a passive entity but an active woman who is willing to fight for what she wants.