Brigid’s Comments (group member since Nov 15, 2019)

Brigid’s comments from the Spine Crackers group.

Kyla wrote: "Brigid wrote: "Lovely Question - maybe to add structure...

Main ingredients: theme
Extra spices: rhetorical devices
Garnish: motifs

BTW anyone start cooking now that we are home-bound? Anyone try..."

very cool - I want to try that first one (lemon something) I don't have my book at home though.

Jonathan wrote: "I feel that with the past two threads I've covered themes shoehorned in all throughout the novel, so for this thread I wanted to talk about rhetorical devices used by Acevedo as they are the spices..."

creates that tempo of an anger building within

Lovely Question - maybe to add structure...

Main ingredients: theme
Extra spices: rhetorical devices
Garnish: motifs

BTW anyone start cooking now that we are home-bound? Anyone try pout one of her recipes? (totally a curiosity question - not rhetorical ;)

It's a plot based question but it is thought provoking.

Some answers are far too literal. Of course, nothing exactly like Gilead would happen; however, after total devastation from war would a country limit personal freedom because of fear? Have we seen examples of countries, our own included, limiting the freedoms of some groups after experiencing war, terrorism, devastation?

Medically, there would be no need for handmaiden's - yet I think that Atwood was using the literal rape of these women to represent other oppression that do and could occur. It's a hyperbole of such oppression.

Melissa wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Melissa wrote: "The use of color is extremely powerful in this novel. This is prevalent in the different colors of dresses or uniforms based on your status in society. Atwood writ..."

nice building upon Steph's idea - actual engagement!

Eva wrote: "Sage wrote: "Eva wrote: "Abby wrote: "Eva wrote: "Margaret Atwood uses symbolism in the novel to emphasize a point she is trying to make about the society represented in the book. A society that ba..."

No they do not have a higher status, they serve a high priority but are seen as vessels that are replaceable. After reading past the first few chapters, there is no way you should have this perspective. Look at how they are treated if they do not produce or follow instruction. And, look at their options if they refuse to be a handmaiden.

Kyla wrote: "Sage wrote: "Atwood uses certain to represent different aspects of the society in Gilead. Color is used to show the most vital characteristic of Gilead, childbirth. However, red can also be seen as..."

Right - a big brother that is female. Plus silver can be cold, like metal, or like a knife...

Sage wrote: "Atwood uses certain symbols to represent different aspects of the society in Gilead. Color is used to show the most vital characteristic of Gilead, childbirth. However, red can also be seen as a se..."

But the red cannot be for sin bc according to the rules of this society they are doing "Godly work" in trying to procreate. Of course, we know that they are actually being raped - not exactly intercourse. The red must stand for something connected to their assigned roles.

Abby wrote: "Margaret Atwood uses color to symbolize many things throughout the novel, for example, Atwood uses color to symbolize status amongst the people. The commanders wife wears blue , the handmaids wear ..."

The obvious response to this is - okay now why use those colors??? This is how we deepen our analysis while improving engagement.

Pretty repetitive and surface posts. Zach's at the end dug in a bit but no real depth was reached with that either. Same with the posts regarding the contrast/comparison of the two women (Offred/Commander's wife). You just touch the surface and rely mostly on plot points not writing choices.

Sage wrote: "Abby wrote: "Margaret Atwood’s purpose for including the epigraphs, is to set up the reader for the text they are about to read. The first epigraph states “Give me children, or else I die”. I belie..."

As outlandish as Swift's (eating babies) which is the point. It sets a stark tone straight off.

Abby wrote: "Margaret Atwood uses tremendous amounts of imagery to let the reader understand the situation in which the narrator is in. Even the first sentence is filled with imagery, Atwood states “ ... floor ..."

Both of your posts repeat JB's almost exactly.