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

Zach’s comments from the Spine Crackers group.

In the chapter "Dreams" Acevedo expresses Emoni's hopes and wishes for her daughter Babygirl in a creative way. In the text it states "There's so much I want for her that sometimes I think the seams of my skin aren't enough to contain every hope I have" (205). Before this quote, Emoni talks about her daughter winning an Oscar, or having a nice executive job. This evidence connects to the theme that is present throughout the book, love and care for your children. Emoni puts lots of thought into her daughter's future and wants it to be better than what her life has become. What are your thoughts on this?

We can see the use of imagery is prevalent in the beginning of "With The Fire On High". On the very first pages of the story, Acevedo says, "If anything, I'm on the verge of tears, since at this rate we're both going to be late" (5) and, "I nod and bite my bottom lip" (6), showing the high stress being a parent is. Especially in her case, as a teenager, going to school, and trying to live her dream as a chef to raise a daughter is no doubt a tough situation. The imagery provided in these lines reflect the difficulty of parenting. The theme of difficulties of parenting stay with Emoni throughout the book as seen, "The whole weekend when I wasn't at work 'Buela and I have circled around each other, neither one of us wanting to say that we miss Babygirl" (52). In this line you can really see the stress being shown by the pacing being done by both 'Buela and Emoni.

Sage wrote: "Atwood includes a series of epigraphs in the beginning of the novel to foreshadow the developing plot and tone that is present in the story. The purpose can be seen in the following quote, "...Give..."
Hey Sage, you bring up a good point that there is no individuality throughout the novel and everyone conforms to the social norms. This is seen in many parts of the novel, "On the wall above the chair, a picture, framed but with no glass: a print of flowers, blue irises, watercolor. Flowers are still allowed. Does each of us have the same print, the same chair, the same white curtains, I wonder?" (7). This imagery of the room inserts a thought of strict order and style in this household. All of the Handmaids have the same room and they aren't able to change it due to "Government issue".

Melissa wrote: "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,..."

Hey Melissa, I think that your argument on why the Commander's wife is sadder than Offred's and now I have come to think that you are right. Looking back at it, The Commander's Wife avoids interaction with the handmaids whenever she can and doesn't have anyone to talk to "I want to see as little of you as possible, she said. I expect you feel the same way about me" (15).

I highly doubt that the Utopian society in "The Handmaid's Tale" will ever be present in the future but the chance is never zero. I feel that a society like this would never come into existence in a first world country like ours, but there is a possibility it could happen in a third world country that is still developing where there could be a power gap. But this list only consists of "could" and "if" so there is no really good explanation on how and why a Utopian society like this would emerge.

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 other women with bas..."

You are completely right Melissa and I want to say that the most prevalent color in this novel is the color red. For example, "The red gloves are lying on the bed. I pick them up, pull them onto my hands, finger by finger. Everything except the wings around my face is red: the color of blood, which defines us"(8). Atwood utilizes the color red for many purposes and connects the color to symbolic gestures.

Eva wrote: "I do not believe that the exact events presented in the novel could happen in the future. This is because in modern day society there are certain rights given to all people, and because there are o..."

Hey Eva, I think you are completely right that something close to the novel could emerge in other parts of the world. The evidence that you gave was perfect in supporting that some rights and social morals given in one country can be different in others. But with the involvement of the United Nations, I believe that if anything as radical as this form of society existed, the UN would do its best to take care of it.

Abby wrote: "Personally I do not think that what took place in this novel, could ever take place in reality in the United States. I believe that this generation is far to progressive for human and women rights ..."

Abby, I agree with the fact that this society could never live in the United States in that Women's Rights have been such a big part of our history. But, I think that the quote that you used can perfectly describe prostitution in many other societies. Prostitution is very similar to the actions that were documented in this novel, therefore I believe there to be little presence of this novel in modern day society around the globe.

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 also uses it ..."
I agree with the fact that Atwood is using symbolism to look back on Offred's past life. Another example of this was when Offred was looking out of her window into the Commander's Wife's garden, "I once had a garden. I can remember the smell of the turned Earth, the plump shapes of bulbs held in the hands, fullness, the dry rustle of seeds through the fingers" (12). The garden can be symbolized as a position of status and power and also, it can be viewed as the past life Offred once lived.

Not only does Atwood use color to show symbolism, but she uses comparison. For example Offred compares Serena to a withering flower, "Even at her age she still feels the urge to wreathe herself in flowers. No use for you, I think at her, my face unmoving, you can't use them anymore, you're withered" (82). Offred's train of thought was that if Serena is unable to have a child she is useless (Withering Flower). But she sees that her ability to have a child automatically makes her superior (Flourishing Flower). She uses this comparison to show that Serena cannot produce a child and it shows that she is weak.

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, and falls on the floor, which is made of wood, in narrow strips, highly polished. I can smell the polish"(7). Also Atwood shows her masterful skills of imagery to describe the Commander's Wife in her garden, "Looking out through my shatterproof window I've often seen her in it, her knees on a cushion, a light blue veil thrown over her wide gardening hat, a basket at her side with shears in it and pieces of string for tying the flowers into place"(12). This example of imagery is significant because she compares the Commander's Wife's garden with hers when she had one. I think that the description of the peaceful environment of the garden can be used to contrast the characteristics between the wife and the maids. I feel that the luxury of having access to the garden for the wife can be seen as a higher social status compared to that of the maids.