I definitely did not expect The Handmaid’s Tale to be so explicit and racy. However, Offred’s crude language characterizes her as a unique and strong woman. . One distinctive scene is during the sex in Chapter 16. Offred says “My red skirt is hitched up to my waist, though no higher. Below it the Commander is f******” (94). Considering Gildean’s society, I would think that women are not supposed to use such explicit language. However, Offred’s crudeness contrasts from society’s expectations of weak woman. Such explicitness is also present during Offred’s interaction with men. For example, there is considerable sexual tension between Offred and the doctor. During her visit, Offred asks, “Is that his hand, sliding up my leg?” The doctor goes past the acceptable social norms, and Offred doesn’t yield to him so that she can escape her captivity. This reflects some sort of fear within Offred that might be overcome in the future. I am expecting Offred’s strong internal nature to overcome her fearful external nature.

I found the many biblical allusions in the novel to be very interesting. First, all the names like “Angels,” “Guardians of Faith,” and “Milk and Honey” have biblical origins. In addition, Offred says that there is a “return to traditional values” (13). That return to traditional values accompanies a greater focus of the Bible and the values that are present in the Bible. However, the focus of the Bible also means an increased suppression of women. Perhaps, Atwood satirizes and criticizes the values that are present in the Bible. One particularly distinctive biblical reference is the name, Gildean. The “balm of Gildean” traditionally represents a healing agent. Although the society might think that they are healing from the wrongs of the past, it is ironic that healing can be applied to the women in Gildean. Instead, they are hurting under the suppression. I also noticed that the name Martha also has biblical connotations. In the Bible, Martha and Mary were sisters. Martha was a housewife, while Mary was listened to Jesus. Once again, it is ironic that Jesus admired Mary more than Martha, but the society in Gildean society seems to uphold Martha as the ideal woman. Such an interpretation suggests that Atwood criticizes some interpretations of the Bible especially those that are against women.

Considering the first 100 pages, I thought the most peculiar part of the novel was Offred’s encounter with the Japanese people and the pregnant woman. What is the comparison between Offred and the Japanese women? In regards to the Japanese women, they represent some sort of forbidden desire. It is ironic that the women wearing “open-toed sandals” and the woman with the belly “swelling triumphantly” both represent a desire for Offred. While the pregnant woman adheres to society’s expectations, the Japanese definitely do not. For Offred, the jealousy towards both women represents her internal conflict about whether to follow society or abandon it. In the future chapters, Offred’s transition and relationships to other men and women will be important. I hope that such a suppressive society won’t be in place for long.