Our personal perspective sheds light on differing aspects of tales, leading to messages unique to our current socioeconomic and cultural experiences. Much as viewers of Grant Woods’ “American Gothic” come away with different definitions of the American experience based on upbringing and life situation, consumers of literature find differing themes based on societal and geographical influences.
Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is required literature in many modern U.S. public high schools. The tale’s strong patriarchal stance is foreign, even offensive, to most of those reared in Western societies where women are encouraged to question the status quo and are afforded educations equal to their male counterparts. The role of women is carefully outlined by early societal nurturings and ingrained in citizens. In the 1950’s, “Leave it to Beaver” land, U.S. children were taught that caring for hearth and home was “women’s work,” while male heads of household were expected to “bring home the bacon.” In earlier times, women and children were viewed as the property of male heads of house to serve him and his needs without question. The rule of thumb was created to guide men in the size weapon that could legally be used to discipline unruly wives. Rape and child molestation were viewed as sins of the victims and thus kept secret for the most part during these times. Today Westerners view these as old fashioned and even barbaric views and practices.
In some of Middle Eastern lands today these views continue. In fact those based on Sharia law allow for the marriage of infant girls with consummation of their unions at 9 years of age. Obviously, infants are not choosing their own mates, nor is a 9 year old mentally able to give sexual consent. These girls are the property of their male heads of house and expected to submit without hesitation to the males’ wills. This includes the mutilation of female genitalia to assure women will not lust or stray from the marital bed. Following these guides husbands cannot rape their wives, since wives are property much like cattle. Rape itself requires 4 male witnesses to prove and if the alledging female is unable to produce evidence she is subject to death. Again the role of women is to serve their husbands by caring for the family home and children. Members of Sharia based societies are taught to accept life stations as the will of their higher power giving increased power to the patriarchy.
Sharia raised women likely will not question the blind obedience, even loyalty, of some handmaids to their host couples in Atwood’s story. For these women the theme of the work is to highlight the handmaids as sacred vessels being utilized to return fundamental patriarch values to a land devoid of character. To them the theme of the story is one of hope for a renewed civilization with strong religious guidance.
Most Western women view the theme quite differently. The plights of the handmaids are that of society’s victims. Even the women married to the governing elite males are at the mercy of the patriarchy. The story is a strong warning of how unquestioned male dominance with religious sanctioned power and control could lead to the destruction of civilization.
A cautionary tale or a glimmer of hope? You decide, based on your societal upbringing.
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