Feminism in the Handmaids Tale Essay Example for Free

Feminism in the Handmaids Tale Essay Some would argue that Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is a book that pulls its ideas and beliefs about women and their place in society from the Bible. But based upon the novel, the Bible, and some writings by Christian writers, that is true, but highly skewed. Let’s begin by taking a look at how society is setup in The Handmaid’s Tale so we can have a clear understanding where the author is coming from. The whole premise is that women have lost all power, freedom, choice, and equality and are instead deemed either suitable for slave/maid type work or bearing children. Girls are taken to Rachel and Leah Re-education center, or the red center, as the girls living there knew it, and â€Å"indoctrinated† or brainwashed into the ideologies of the government and taught that their only role is to conceive children. They are also told that the structure of this society (Gilead) is better for women, more respectful and safe. Offred, the main character in the novel has a very monotonous and strict routine everyday that consists of shopping for the commander, the man of the house, and visiting the doctor frequently to be checked, and then undergo the ceremony. This ceremony is the emotionless, speechless sex that she has with commander in order to bear children because of the sudden drop in reproduction in the past society. Now that we have the groundwork laid, lets look at a couple ways they skew the role of women from what it is meant to be according to the Bible. The ceremony that they participate in includes reading from the Bible before engaging in sex. The only problem with that whole idea, is that they only read a small passage of one book every time, that speaks about a barren women urging her husband to lie with her servant so they may have a child. The problem with this is that it’s taken completely out of context. The backstory to Rachel, the barren woman, is that Jacob was supposed to be married to her after working for her father for seven years, but instead Laban, the father, gives his older daughter Leah to lie with Jacob. When he discovers he was tricked he tells Laban he will work another seven years if he can have Rachel as his wife. Because God saw that Rachel was much more loved than Leah, he made Rachel barren and blessed Leah with four children. This is why Rachel asked Jacob to lie with a servant girl; she was envious of her sister Leah (The Holy Bible ESV, Gen. 29-30). The way it is portrayed in the novel is just as a source of reason. The commander and the government need a way to convince women of society that what they are doing is good and it is what they are designed to do. The Bible also speaks in Genesis how man and woman were created in God’s image and how both are equally valuable. Women in Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale are not at all treated equal. Wayne Grudem says it well in his book Bible Doctrine, †¦and Paul emphasizes, â€Å"In the Lord, woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for woman was made from man, so now man is born of woman† Both men and women are equally important; both depend on each; both are worthy of honor† (201). This quote really shows how incorrect the society of Gilead has interpreted the Bible and also how poorly they have viewed women. They claim the safest way to protect the women is to restrict all their rights and give them the opportunity of one of three positions in society, which of those three, they do not even get to select. There are few instances in the novel that represent love, affection, or care; and this would be in the previous world and then between Offred and Nick and even that is a lot of physical affection more than true love. The Bible clearly states in Ephesians 5, â€Å"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church† (Eph. 5). This whole idea is nowhere near represented in The Handmaid’s Tale. The commander is married to the wife almost as a status. He has total authority over her and because she is barren they do not even sleep together. To bare child, he lies with the Handmaid, and to have pleasure, he visits Jezebels, which is a strip club. Which brings up another point in which prostitution and pornography were two of the major staples in the State’s philosophy of keeping women protected, yet they still have clubs that the men visit to enjoy themselves. Some may argue that there is biblical text to support everything that was done, such as Titus 2:5, which states â€Å"†¦women are to be submissive to their own husbands† (Titus. 2. ). This verse is said amongst many other actions women should portray towards their husbands, but it is originally meant, all out of love for their husband and ultimately for their love of Christ. Gilead believes having authority over everyone’s lives and particularly complete control of women. This just one more example of the misconstrued biblical reference portrayed how they see fit. This whole concept of people pulling verses out of context and twisting them to what they want is why so many people have a hard time believing in the truth. It has been so misinterpreted to what people want to believe or how people want others to believe. Gilead’s focus is on reproduction, order, control, and power. They have just found a way to use religion as a tool for their own plans, and in doing so have butchered the entire meaning of the device they are using. One more example of this is through other biblical references in the language. The entire book uses a variety of religious or Biblical language which includes but is not limited to: soldiers being called angels, the domestic servants are called Marthas, the store Milk and Honey, and even vehicles carry religious terms such as behemoth or chariot. These terms are used to help solidify the State’s justification for their actions. Using Biblical terms allows them to continue to preach that everything they do is to protect and serve according to the Bible. Again the problem is that they pull what they want from context and don’t use it according to how the original author intended it for the original audience, or how God meant for us to live. Margaret Atwood wrote a great novel describing what life could be like; if suddenly all women were subject to men’s rule and forced to live under such rigid conditions due to society’s prior downturn. Although the basis of Gilead, and it’s ideas and beliefs were high misinterpreted passages and references of biblical text. As previously stated, if someone is going to use biblical and historical references to support a cause or form a governing society, they must have the facts straight. This means using them in context, and for the original intended purpose. Not changing them or falsifying them to fit your ideas and beliefs.

Lets Put an End to Political Correctness and Stereotyping :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

Let's Put an End to Political Correctness and Stereotyping Consider this. What if we lived in a society in which there was no sex differences? There's no males, and no females. There's no physical separation between one human and the next. Would we still separate ourselves by some other characteristics? If so, is it human nature that if we examine two identical things, we consider one better than the other? Can we say that any two things have the potential to be equal at all? Ask the previous questions in the context of "voices" in literature. Even with an authorless piece of writing, we tend to place a gender on its style, tone, or "voice." We say that we are "characterizing" the writing in an attempt to understand the author's meaning, or to examine why the author wrote in the "voice" s/he chose. O.K., what's wrong with that? Just this: if characterizing meant that we based the style of the writing on its contents, I don't think that there would be anything wrong. The problem is that we base the style of the writing on culturally-induced stereotypes. In other words, labeling writing as "feminine" or "masculine" causes us to use connotations and biases. In most cases, this causes us to make more generalizations concerning what men and womin "typically write like." Stay with me, I need you. By saying that anyone's writing has a specific, categorized "voice," their writing is immediately compared to the "norm" of that particular "voice." Therefore, placing a label on the author's work, causes the reader to automatically develop a bias toward that piece of writing. Wait a sec! I don't do that! I don't make biases when I read. Yes, I characterize. It helps me find the meaning of the piece. If I think the writer is using a feminine voice I'll interpret the piece differently because I'll be thinking in my head "what would a womon be thinking at this point?" Think about this. What if I, as an author, don't want my sex to influence the interpretation of my writing. In fact, at this very moment, I don't want the fact that I'm female to have anything to do with this work. I don't want to have my writing analyzed in comparison with "normal" or "typical" womin stuff. I don't want to be limited to being a typically feminine writer. I don't want to be a female writing like a typical male either. Let's Put an End to Political Correctness and Stereotyping :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays Let's Put an End to Political Correctness and Stereotyping Consider this. What if we lived in a society in which there was no sex differences? There's no males, and no females. There's no physical separation between one human and the next. Would we still separate ourselves by some other characteristics? If so, is it human nature that if we examine two identical things, we consider one better than the other? Can we say that any two things have the potential to be equal at all? Ask the previous questions in the context of "voices" in literature. Even with an authorless piece of writing, we tend to place a gender on its style, tone, or "voice." We say that we are "characterizing" the writing in an attempt to understand the author's meaning, or to examine why the author wrote in the "voice" s/he chose. O.K., what's wrong with that? Just this: if characterizing meant that we based the style of the writing on its contents, I don't think that there would be anything wrong. The problem is that we base the style of the writing on culturally-induced stereotypes. In other words, labeling writing as "feminine" or "masculine" causes us to use connotations and biases. In most cases, this causes us to make more generalizations concerning what men and womin "typically write like." Stay with me, I need you. By saying that anyone's writing has a specific, categorized "voice," their writing is immediately compared to the "norm" of that particular "voice." Therefore, placing a label on the author's work, causes the reader to automatically develop a bias toward that piece of writing. Wait a sec! I don't do that! I don't make biases when I read. Yes, I characterize. It helps me find the meaning of the piece. If I think the writer is using a feminine voice I'll interpret the piece differently because I'll be thinking in my head "what would a womon be thinking at this point?" Think about this. What if I, as an author, don't want my sex to influence the interpretation of my writing. In fact, at this very moment, I don't want the fact that I'm female to have anything to do with this work. I don't want to have my writing analyzed in comparison with "normal" or "typical" womin stuff. I don't want to be limited to being a typically feminine writer. I don't want to be a female writing like a typical male either.

Characteristics of Humanism Essay

Humanism is a term applied to the social philosophy and literary culture of the Western world during the Renaissance movements that spread across Europe. Washington State University, WSU, quoted on the internet: â€Å"Of all the practices of Renaissance Europe, nothing is used to distinguish the Renaissance from the Middle Ages more than humanism as both a program and a philosophy†. The Renaissance in Europe began in Italy, and with it the origin of humanism. The movement began as a response to the troubling times Italy had been facing in the years prior to the beginning of humanism. During the Fourteenth century, Italy had become overpopulated, which resulted in famine and the Black Death. A deterioration for trading with China was another issue that we had to take in account.. Humanism was the intellectual movement responding to this crisis. They began to look at things that had been ignored in the Italian society, and brought ideas to the public eye that revolutionized philosophy and literature. Ancient Renaissance Philosophers say that â€Å"Renaissance humanism was considered a ‘rediscovery’ of the ancient classical learning of Greece and Rome.† The Renaissance is characterized by its emphasis on humanism, an emphasis that would have a tremendous impact upon the subsequent history of Western civilization. Humanist studies placed us into a different world and changed the face of our lifestyle. Influential factors for Humanism were literature, art as well as music. It embraced concepts such as the supernatural as a created psychological human myth. People that where influential to the Humanism period, constructed this framework by coupling science with human reason to create an appropriate method for creating an interpretation of ultimate reality. Humanists generally denied the existence of anything outside of nature. They rejected many supernatural beliefs; however, disbelief in the supernatural is not a necessity for humanistic beliefs (Cunningham 287). Humanists believed science is based on nature, and humans learn from it. I will go into detail of the nature and beauty of Renaissance art that emphasizes on Humanism art within the work.. â€Å"The School of Athens ( 5.77 m * 8.14 m ) was painted by the 27 year old Raphael (Raffaelo) Sanzio (or Santi) for Pope Julius II (1503-1513)†(Michael  Lahanas). We do not know all details of the people who are depicted. Giorgio Vasari, who is an Italian painter and architect, suggested that nearly all Greek philosophers and ancient scientists can be found on this painting. Beyond one of the most important people on this painting is Plato, Aristotle and Michelangelo. The painting frames in the most important part by setting up the focal point in the middle of the painting. â€Å"Raphael’s School of Athens reflects a high degree of sensitivity to ordered space, a complete ease with Classical thought, obvious inspiration from the Roman architectural past, a brilliant sense of color and form, and a love for intellectual clarity-characteristics that could sum up the Renaissance ideal† (Cunningham 299). It does not only show characteristics of the Renaissance, but also characteristics of Humanism, for example it’s artistic creation on the walls, as well as the well planned building. Another thing that is associated with humanism is the social behavior of the people. The Night figure was created by Michelangelo and it suppose to create the illusion of the figure either sleeping or being awake at the same point of time. Almost all of the female’s bodies that Michelangelo creates, have a masculine body structure as well as fake looking breasts. These two analytical founding are another proof of Humanism. The Article about the best Artists said: â€Å"He goes farther away from nature in these Medici figures than in any of his others and requires greater acquiescence from his viewers. Many are not willing to let him lift them so high off the ground. ‘She may be beautiful but she’s not a woman.’ † People guessed that Michelangelo was gay, but it was never proofen as a fact. The last artwork that I am going to describe is The Last Supper by Tintoretto. The Author of auction and sold mentioned that: â€Å"All the outstanding qualities of Tintoretto appear in this strikingly original and complex design. It is characteristic in using intensified streaks of light along limbs and garment-folds, to emphasize the direction of movement, and thus heighten the effect of dramatic action.† In this painting you can see many characteristics of humanism that are shown by the people socializing, enjoying themselves and having seemingly unlimited amounts of food. In the bottom right of the painting, you have people who prepare the food and wash  the dishes. This is another characteristic for humanism. We can also see angel like figures in the picture, that move towards the human that has the bright light around his head. This person should represent Jesus, and I believe that those angel or ghost looking creatures are the souls of his friends. Our society is still influenced in the artists, and architects from the Renaissance time period. Humanistic ideas have proved to be of great educational value in the formation of civilized and responsible societies, and they are still alive in many intellectual beliefs today. Work Cited Cunningham, Lawrence S. Culture & Values. 7th ed. Vol. 2. Boston: Wadsworth, 06. â€Å"Humanism.† Washington State University – Pullman, Washington. 04 July 2009 . â€Å"Night by Michelangelo  «.† The Best Artists. 03 July 2009 . â€Å"Raphael’s School of Athens (1/2).† Hellenica, Information about Greece and Cyprus, Michael Lahanas. 06 July 2009 . â€Å"Tintoretto – The Last Supper.† Old And Sold Antiques Auction. 07 July 2009 .

Essay on Karl Marx And Marxism - 710 Words

Karl Marx and Marxism nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Karl Marx set the wheels of modern Communism and Socialism in motion with his writings in the late nineteenth century. In collaboration with his friend, Heinrich Engels, he produced the The Communist Manifesto, written in 1848. Many failed countries political and socio-economic structures have been based on Marxs theories, for example the USSR, East Germany etc. Many people believe that Marxism is not applicable to todays society, as Karl Marx put forward his ideas not anticipating the type of society we have today. The welfare state system has effectively nullified Marxs arguments, and made them irrelevant. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Karl Marx, born on May 5, 1818, died on†¦show more content†¦The idea is further explained in the following sentences. The people who do the work in a capitalistic society own none of the means of production, (ie. machines, raw produce etc.) that they use in their work. These are owned by the capitalists, to whom the workers must sell their labour power, or ability to do work, in return for a wage. The capitalists, owning the factories, automatically have ownership rights to everything produced by it, and can do with it what the will. Because of this, the worker is alienated from the product of their labours, having no control over what is made, or what becomes of it. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Karl Marx was very concerned with the class system in Prussia. He was an avid campaigner against a system where one group of people flourish at the expense of another class, in this case the working. He believed that all things should be equal, and that sharing should abound, with no-one person owning everything, all belonging to the state. Marx believed that once most workers recognized their interests and became class conscious, the overthrow of capitalism would proceed as quickly and democratically as the nature of the capitalist opposition allowed. The socialist society that would emerge out of the revolution would develop the full productive potential inherited from capitalism through democratic planning onShow MoreRelatedKarl Marx And Marxism1229 Words   |  5 PagesKarl Marx’s ideology was established to show what would happen if the social classes struggled with each other. Vladimir Lenin however, was more practical in that his ideology carri ed the changes needed to fit into the country itself. Marx anticipated that his concept would come to carry out a more advanced capitalist state because is where he thought the revolution he talked about would take place. Still, Leninism took place in a country that was not as advanced as Mr. Marx would have imagined.Read MoreKarl Marx and Marxism Essay727 Words   |  3 PagesKarl Marx and Marxism Karl Marx set the wheels of modern Communism and Socialism in motion with his writings in the late nineteenth century. 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