Melissa’s Comments (group member since Nov 13, 2019)

Melissa’s comments from the Spine Crackers group.

Throughout the novel Emoni's character really develops into a place where she can love herself and everything she does. As the book opens Emoni lays out her priorities, almost all of them centered around Babygirl. In order to abide by her commitments, she has very little free time to enjoy herself and limits her own happiness in the process. She puts herself in a mental cage that she can no longer even let herself see other boys because she doesn't think that its whats best for Babygirl and she is afraid to indulge herself. When she meets Malachi she keeps him at an arm's length and when he makes genuine efforts to get to know her such as when they went to get water ices after school she constantly reminds him that they "aren't friends". As the story continues she begins to make more "selfish" decisions such as taking the cooking class at school and eventually begins dating Malachi. Despite these changes her character undergoes, some of her traits remain static such as her great work ethic. This is demonstrated when she is working on raising money for her school trip to Spain where she picks up extra shifts in the school kitchen and organizes the catering at the school dance.

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 pout one of he..."

I tried to make Annie's boxed mac and cheese because I'm not an amazing chef. I let my sister have some (even though I can easily eat the whole thing myself) and she said I overcooked the macaroni! She thought it was too soft but I thought it wasn't bad, I was also starving so I would've eaten anything but still!

Abby wrote: "I think the choice to include some Spanish language in her writing, Acevedo is able to covey the theme of Emonis Puerto Rican heritage. Even in the chapter “Blood Boil”, when Emoni is beyond stress..."

This is a good point. Her heritage even affects her relationships such as how she communicates with her father. He does not stay to help his mother raise Emoni because his heart belongs to Puerto Rico. Throughout the novel, Emoni expresses her frustration and sadness that her father did not as large of an influence in her life and wishes he stuck around. She knows that pain all too well and shares custody with Tyrone because she wants Babygirl to feel loved and supported always. She would not want to rob Emma of a relationship with her father which relates back to the theme of unconditional love and support. Emoni does what is best for Emma even though she does not have the best relationship with Tyrone because she knows this is the best way for Babygirl to grow up safe feeling secure and loved.

The chapter "Coven" reflects the themes of allegiance and unity as well as support from those who love you. in this chapter Emoni, Buela, and Angelica are working together on making a Halloween costume for Babygirl. This idea is expressed using Spanish between Angelica and Buela. They great each other with excitement and embrace as they band together to make Babygirl's costume.

Sage wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Unconditional love for those close to you is an obvious theme throughout "With the Fire on High". Emoni loves Babygirl and would do anything for her despite the extra trouble she ha..."

Emoni even considered how she could give Babygirl the best chance and opportunities possible even before she was born. The choice to name her Emma instead of something more ethnic reflects that mindset.

Kyla wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Unconditional love for those close to you is an obvious theme throughout "With the Fire on High". Emoni loves Babygirl and would do anything for her despite the extra trouble she ha..."

Hey Kyla! I did get up to that part actually! I think that it really helps the readers get a good sense of the kind of person Malachi is. A few chapters later where he comes over Emoni's house to help her cook he opens up to 'Buela explaining that his brother had been killed. This may also explain why he did not treat Emoni differently after hearing the news. Another theme that could be demonstrated by his character is that everyone has something going on behind the scenes that they do not show off to the world. When Pretty Leslie exposed Emoni about Emma that was not fair to Emoni because she should have been the one to reveal that piece of her life. She isn't ashamed of Babygirl but it is her life.

Unconditional love for those close to you is an obvious theme throughout "With the Fire on High". Emoni loves Babygirl and would do anything for her despite the extra trouble she has to go through. Instead of resenting her for making it harder to balance classes and follow her dreams she always makes sure she is under proper supervision and is present as much as possible. Acevedo writes "For the rest of the night Babygirl is front and center, the candlelight we read the world by" (53). This example of imagery clearly shows that Babygirl has Emoni's and Abuela's undivided attention and without her, they feel lost.

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 writes "There are othe..."

This is a very good connection, Stephanie! I find it ironic how the Commander's Wife has a garden full of flowers representing reproduction when she herself is infertile. I think it is almost mocking her how the flowers can create new life and she cannot.

Zach wrote: "Kyla wrote: "Atwood utilizes symbolism in a multitude of ways in the book "The Handmaid's Tale". Not only does Atwood use symbolism in the form of colors to depict different social classes but she ..."

I think that the garden is a simple thing that is given great meaning through the circumstances they are under. Gardens used to be a common thing that just about anyone could have but now that they are under such restrictions only the elite are permitted to have them. It really demonstrates how those in power harness it and hold it over everyone else.

Eva wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Zach wrote: "Margaret Atwood uses imagery extensively in the beginning of the novel. She uses imagery to describe Offred's surroundings almost at all times. For example, "Sunlight c..."

You bring up a very good point but I still think that the Commander's Wife's life is more solemn than those of the handmaids. Sure she has activities to keep her busy like knitting and spending time in her garden but I think her life is lonelier than the handmaids. Offred has the company of the other handmaids to spread gossip with where the Commander's Wife seems to spend a lot of time alone. I imagine this separation from human contact would make her sad and or bitter. Offred tells that "I wanted to think I would have liked her, in another time and place, another life" (16). This shows that given their circumstance Serena Joy is not the happy bright person she used to be.

Stephanie wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I do not think such strictness and lack of power amongst the general public will become a reality in the future. Times are changing and I understand that some parts of the world are..."

Offred reminisces of her past life and how she used to express herself several times throughout the book. Atwood writes "Students went there a lot; every spring they had a Humphrey Bogart festival, with Lauren Bacall or Katharine Hepburn, women on their own, making up their minds. They wore blouses with buttons down the front that suggested the possibilities of the word 'undone'. These women could be undone; or not. They seemed to be able to choose. We seemed to be able to choose, then" (25). She seems to miss the days where she had the option of making her own choice, no matter how minor it may be.

Eva wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I do not think such strictness and lack of power amongst the general public will become a reality in the future. Times are changing and I understand that some parts of the world are..."

I did mention in my original statement that I understood that this acceptance was only taking place in certain countries and some parts of the world are stuck in their restraining ways. Also, I think what sets us apart from the history you mentioned is the technology we have today. Word travels almost instantly where in the past it could take days or weeks. In addition in the instances, you mentioned only groups of people were being targeted, in Gilead, all of society was under restraints.

I do not think such strictness and lack of power amongst the general public will become a reality in the future. Times are changing and I understand that some parts of the world are still stuck in their ways and these issues may never fully go away but in lots of countries around the world originality and acceptance are becoming more normalized. Women and their opinions are being recognized instead of ignored, members of the LGBTQ+ community are noticed as people too, and racism is not as powerful of a force as it was even a hundred years ago. In today's society, anybody can be somebody and make a stand for what they believe in. Especially with access to the media, it has become easier than ever to get your voice heard. TIME named sixteen-year-old Greta Thunberg as the "Person of the Year" is year proving that anybody can make a difference and challenge what is already put in place by our officials. I find it hard to believe that these rights could be taken away so easily especially after expressing how we feel and who we are became a daily thing.

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 writes "There are other women with baskets, some in red, some in the dull green of the Marthas, some in the striped dresses, red and blue and green and cheap and skimpy, that mark the women of the poorer men. ... Sometimes there is a woman all in black, a widow" (24).

Zach wrote: "Margaret Atwood uses imagery extensively in the beginning of the novel. She uses imagery to describe Offred's surroundings almost at all times. For example, "Sunlight comes through the window too, ..."

I really like the connection you made between the Commander's Wife and the handmaids. I think that although the Commander's Wife's life is more luxurious than those of the handmaids, her life is sadder. While the handmaids have the freedom to their daily walks (no matter how restricted) and have the "...power of a dog bone, passive but there"(22) to tease men with their femininity, the Wife has to sit at home and watch as other women have sex with her husband. Atwood writes "As for my husband, she [the Commander's Wife] said, he's just that. My husband. I want that to be perfectly clear. Till death do us part. It's final." (16) which I think reflects her bitterness towards the situation and how she cannot do anything about it.

Stephanie wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Margaret Atwood included these epigraphs because they connect with some of the topics expressed in the text. For example, the Bible excerpt speaks to the worth of women being depend..."

This is a good point how the epigraphs give a nice introduction to start off the book. I think it is also smart of Atwood that the sources she used are well known such as the bible and an excerpt from a famous writer, Jonathan Swift. This also helps give the reader more background information about what they are going to read if they are familiar with the source.

Margaret Atwood included these epigraphs because they connect with some of the topics expressed in the text. For example, the Bible excerpt speaks to the worth of women being dependant on their fertility. This idea is prevalent in the text as the main purpose of Offred's daily walks is to find a man who will impregnate her while she is still young and able to bear a child. Atwood utilizes imagery to describe the living quarters the girls remain in. As the novel opens she writes about the gym the ladies sleep in and the lines on the gymnasium floor and how it smells "...faintly like an afterimage, the pungent scent of sweat, shot through with the sweet taint of chewing gum and perfume from the watching girls..."(page 3). She goes on to compare the rooms of Offred and the other ladies to bunkers in the army.