Something interesting I noticed in The Handmaid’s Tale was all the flower imagery. I remember one distinctive scene where Serena Joy is “cutting off the fruiting body” because the “tulips have had their moment and are done, shedding their petals one by one” (153). At first, I really thought nothing of that line. However, upon closer analysis, I realized the hidden significance. Tulips are typically red, and the irises that replace them are generally a blue color. These flower colors definitely parallel Offred’s red dress and the blue characteristic of wives, like Serena. When Serena Joy is cutting of the “fruiting body” of the red tulip, it seems as if she is trying to cut off the womb of the red Offred. Thus, Serena is jealous and feels threatened by Offred’s fertility. In addition, the blue irises replace the red tulips, which could possibly represent Serena Joy’s desire to overtake and control Offred.

Another creative part of The Handmaid’s Tale is Offred’s name. When I first started reading, the meaning of the name seemed obvious. Offred is simply “Of Fred” because she must submit to the Commander, Fred. However, Michael then told me about how the name could also be read as “Off red.” Such reading suggests that she could rid of the red which is the color of “everything except the wings around her face” and “defines” her (8). Therefore, it foreshadows that Offred may become engaged in some sort of resistance and will stop being defined by the red color that she must wear. I finally thought of another possible way to look at the name Offred. The name “Offred” is very similar to the word “offered.” I feel like Offred is offered to the society and people around her. It’s interesting to note that Offred “is offered” is in passive voice, so Offred is perhaps very passive and submits to the men and society around here. Once Offred starts offering something herself, she will be active and assertive. The multiple meanings of Offred really show Atwood’s brilliance.

I also want to discuss the scrabble encounters because they are such and important part of the novel. They seem to be some sort of forbidden sexual desire. Even the dialogue used in the encounters indicates sexual undertones. When the Commander “held it a moment, casually enough, between thumb and finger, as if deciding whether or not to give it to men,” the Commander seems to be offering Offred some sexual object or even his sexual object (156). However, it is simply a women’s magazine that Offred wants “with a force that made the ends of [her] fingers ache” (156). Offred wants the magazine with such a “force” that it truly seems sexual. However, I wonder what the actual relationship between the Commander and Offred is. Are they truly equals? While the Commander flirts with Offred, he also makes some belittling comments. In addition, he also is a father figure because he tries to protect Offred. As I read on, I’m especially going to take note of the relationship between them. Maybe, Offred’s and Nick’s relationship could parallel their relationship.

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.

Gender Roles in "The Knight's Tale"

After reading “The Knight’s Tale” through a gender lens, I have a few insights to offer about gender roles in the story.

1. Women are treated as objects. In the beginning of the story, the Duke of Theseus takes Queen Hippolyta, his future wife, and her younger sister Emily after the Duke is victorious over the Amazon. The two women are simply spoils of war for the Duke and the Amazon people. Thus, Hippolyta and Emily are two women that represent the traditional view that women are objects.
2. The Duke of Theseus also represents traditional gender roles as he is a strong male leader. He epitomizes the qualities of men that were admired in traditional times as the Duke is an effective soldier and savior. After the Duke encounters the “company of ladies” that are “all clothed in black,” he acts to save the ladies from their misery by attacking King Creon. It seems that the women needed a man to save them.
3. The women who lost their husbands in war also represent traditional gender roles. The eldest woman says, “For sure there is not one among us all that was not once a duchess or a queen, Though wretches now, as may truly be seen…” The ladies were once powerful and rich but have lost almost everything because they lost their husbands. Chaucer shows that women in those times have great dependence on the men, and many women become lost without their husbands.
4. Victorious knights are always men, as Arcita and Palamon are. Knights are always men because of their inherent and natural strength. Thus, women were generally regarded as the weaker sex. The only purpose that women serve in “The Knight’s Tale” is through love and beauty. The main conflict of the story occurs after Arcita and Palamon both fall in love with Emily because of her beauty. The knight’s only care about Emily’s beauty and don’t bother with discovering her wit, personality, or charm.
5. Each of the gods also represents the traditional gender roles. Venus, the goddess of Love, is female. Mars, the god of War, is male. Diana, the goddess of chastity, is female. Females are associated with love and chastity, while men are associated with war and brutality.
6. If we consider the relationships between women and men, then women seem to be simply objects of love for the men as all the women are flat characters. For Theseus, Hippolyta and Emily were simply objects for him to win. However, Theseus does respect their views and opinions at one point in the story. After Theseus is about to kill both Palamon and Arcita for disrespecting his wishes, the women plead to Theseus not to kill them as they get “Down on their knees they then began to fall, Read to kiss his feet as there he stood.” However, this passage also shows that women are generally more emotional. In addition, the women are subordinate to Theseus as they get down on their knees. ‘
7. The men are protectors of the women. Theseus protects the group of miserable ladies, and Arcita and Palamon fight to protect Emily. There is no meaningful relationship between the two knights and Emily. All of them are simply bound be sexual desires and lusts. In this case, Emily represents a sexual desire for the two knights as many women did in those times. In addition, Emily is said to have “womanly compassion” which shows that compassion is generally associated with women.
8. There are some characters and events that represent non-traditional gender roles. At the end of the story after Arcita dies, Theseus “wept upon [Arcite],” and Palamon had garments “stained with many a tear.” Thus, the men are represented as emotional characters especially in times of death. However, Emily, the woman, is the “most sorrowful of the company” even though she barely knew Arcite. It may be because women have some sort of unspoken duty to their husbands.
9. Venus, although she is the God of love, is actually the strongest of the three Gods in the story as the narrator says, “That men might see that neither wit nor wealth, Beauty or cunning, bravery or health Can challenge Venus or advance their worth.” The Goddess is actually portrayed as the strongest, which goes against the notion that males are generally stronger than females.
10. It is difficult to pinpoint Chaucer’s attitude towards these characters. I think that he places love above strength because Palamon eventually wins Emily over Arcite. While Palamon appeals to the Goddess of love, Arcite appeals to the God of War, and love is ultimately victorious in the end. From the beginning of the story, the author generates more sympathy towards Palamon. Palamon sees Emily first, but Arcite still tries to take Emily for Palamon. In addition, Palamon must spend an extra seven years in prison, while Arcite had the opportunity to fight against Theseus.
11. Chaucer also shows that women cannot always be won as objects of war. Although the winner of the war is supposed to win over Emily, Arcite doesn’t actually win Emily. Instead, the one that truly loves Emily wins her. This could be a possible message that love conquers strength and women ultimately conquer men.
12. Despite some non-traditional gender roles, Chaucer still portrays the women as emotional and weak. They cry over their husbands and cry the most at death. In addition, men are the stronger ones as they are knights and the ones that are engaged in death and brutality. Chaucer presents most of the human characters within the rigid gender roles of the time. When he presents the female that has a non-traditional gender role, Venus, she is non-human. Perhaps, Chaucer suggests that human gender roles are hard to break while non-human gender roles are easier to break.
13. There is acceptance of the emotional men within the society so the other characters don’t have contempt for men that stray from their traditional gender roles. Since none of the human women seem to stray from their gender role, it is hard to deduce other characters’ attitudes towards non-traditional roles held by females.

"Loneliness" continued

I’m going to continue my discussion on “Loneliness” from the week before because it’s such an interesting story.

1. On pg. 171, the speaker says, “He wanted most of all the people of his own mind, people with whom he could really talk people he could harangue and scold by the hour, servants, you see, to his fancy.” The quotation is the speaker’s explanation of Enoch’s actions and imaginary friends. Basically, Enoch wanted people to agree with him and think that he is the best. However, I think that there is more. He needs some sort of mutual respect and love as all the characters do in Winesburg, Ohio. Since he has that love and respect through his imaginary friends and then loses it, he could perhaps be one of the most pathetic and loneliest characters in the novel.
2. Enoch then “married a girl who sat in a chair next to his own in the art school and went to live in an apartment house in Brooklyn. Two children were born to the woman he married, and Enoch got a job in a place where illustrations are made for advertisements” (171). The quotation shows Enoch’s confinement during is marriage. The illustrations he makes for advertising must be confined to certain standards. In addition, he “felt choked in a walled in by the life in the apartment.” Why? He can’t be accepted within the society and he must conform to certain standards, and, like a child, he cannot handle that. In the narrow room, he doesn’t feel walled in because he doesn’t have to conform to societal standards with his imaginary friends.
3. How is George Willard significant? George Willard and Enoch Robinson can understand each other because of certain sadness and even need for maturity “sadness was in the heart of George Willard.” In the story, it rained on the evening that they met which could represent a possible Foster connection. It foreshadows some sort of a renewal that Enoch gets by talking to George Willard. It could also possibly deal with his release and catharsis since almost every character in the novel seems to experience a type of release. In addition, the rain occurred in October which means that Enoch is reaching middle age and has finally gained a certain maturity and solemnity.
4. When he falls in love, he gains a certain maturity and can no longer understand and justify his actions with his imaginary friends. However, his newfound maturity accompanies a newfound sadness. In regards to the girl he falls in love with, Enoch says, “I thought that she was bigger than I was in that room” (177) He can’t handle her realness and understanding though, and he was furious when “she had understood all the time” (177). It seems that all he has been searching for understanding but can’t handle it in the end. Enoch would rather crucify himself by letting the girl and the imaginary go than accept the understanding of others. Part of the problem is that she understands his childlike tendencies, and he finally understands it too so he can’t accept his imaginary friends. Why do the imaginary characters leave with the girl and why can’t Enoch accept the girl’s company?

There seems to be so much in the story, and there are still some things that I don’t understand. A really important part of the story is the beautiful girl in the painting, but I am finding it hard to find out what she really represents. I think it might have to do with Enoch’s idea of an ideal woman.

Enoch Robinson

Because we had such limited times during our fishbowl discussions, I am going to share some of my insights concerning the story “Loneliness.”

1. Windows are a recurring item within Winesburg, Ohio. In “Loneliness,” the “farmhouse was painted brown” and “the blinds to all of the windows facing the road were kept closed.” It’s important to note that the blinds were all closed, which shows Enoch’s desire to hide from others and thus explains his loneliness. Even when Enoch tries to connect with others and have human relationships, he isn’t successful. For example, Enoch tries to have an affair with a woman, but, after walking for a bit with the women, Enoch “grew afraid and ran away” (168). He then, “crept off to his room trembling and vexed” (168). Why can’t Enoch interact with others normally? Does he have some sort of mental disorder?
2. There are many indications of mental disorder, as the quotation, “He could draw well enough and he had many odd delicate thoughts hidden away in his brain that might have expressed themselves through the brush of a painter, but he was always a child and that was a handicap to his worldly development. He never grew up and of course he couldn’t understand people and he couldn’t make people understand him. The child in him kept bumping against things, against actualities like money and sex and opinions. Once he was hit by a street car and thrown against an iron post. That made him lame” shows. Generally, those that have mental disorders act childlike and tend to be very creative in one area. Since Enoch seems to excel at painting and hasn’t matured, Enoch could have slight mental disorder, perhaps schizophrenia. However, although he has this mental disorder, he is not the only one that’s lonely. Maybe, his disorder makes Enoch lonelier and that is why the title of the chapter is “Loneliness.” Why would Sherwood Anderson create a character with a mental illness?
3. Why does he invite the artists? For him, the move to New York means getting out of Winesburg, which represents an attempt at maturity. Enoch inviting the artists shows that he wants some sort of communication or understanding with the artists. The reason he becomes an artist is because of his nonverbal skills, and he thinks that he may be able to communicate with other artists. However, there is a major contrast between Enoch and the others. The artists are composed and can articulate their thoughts well (“Words were said about line and values and composition, lots of words, such as are always being said” (169)). However, Enoch cannot talk coherently (“He was too excited to talk coherently” (169)) so there is lack of understanding. As the Enoch’s naïve artist’s inability produce sophisticated speech contrasts with the other artist’s superficial sophistication, Anderson conveys great differences in maturity.
4. The speaker also says, “The room in which young Robinson lived in New York faced Washington square and was long and narrow like a hallway.” Generally, we think of a narrow room as a suffocating experience. However, it is only suffocating when he meets the real people that have a lack of understanding. The room is narrow with what Enoch thinks are narrow-minded artists, but is “long” and perhaps even expansive when it is filled with his “imaginary’ friends.

My insights so far only cover the first few pages of the story, and, next week, I will try to analyze the rest of the story. There are some questions to consider though…

What is the significance of Enoch’s painting and the “beautiful woman?” Who are Enoch’s imaginary friends? Why did he marry a girl in his art school and then leaver her? Does Enoch’s story parallel Anderson’s own story? How can you characterize the understanding between George Willard and Enoch Robinson? Why do his imaginary friends leave? Although most of the characters in Winesburg, Ohio experience a degree of loneliness, why is title of this specific story “Loneliness?”

Morally Ambiguous Characters

Since we just did a timed writing about morally ambiguous characters, I’m going to talk about two morally ambiguous characters in literature.

In Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, Gail Wynand is presented as a morally ambiguous character but according to Rand’s own moral standards. Rand glorifies man and believes that all men should have one single purpose to which they are passionately devoted. Although I think we never really get a sense of Wynand’s single purpose, there is potential for him to be a great man like Howard Roark is. Although Wynand gives up his soul to the public through The Banner, he has an art gallery that represents artistic individualism and integrity. In other words, Wynand understands the significance of individualism and can appreciate it, but can’t put it into practice. However, Wynand is still immoral despite his appreciation of individualism because he eventually compromises his standards and prints a public apology for supporting Roark. To Rand, such a betrayal to Roark is the epitome of immorality. Rand even says that Wynand was the “man that could be.” I always have trouble determining the meaning to the work as a whole, but I think that Wynand’s characterization is important in that it highlights Roark’s strong character when he is compared to Wynand. It shows that Roark is the most moral and the least incorruptible. It may even show that individualism is the key to becoming a moral character when considering Rand’s standards.

I’m also going to discuss Jack for Robert Penn Warren’s All the Kings Men because I wrote about him in my timed writing and would like to be more successful in conveying his moral ambiguity. I think that Jack is morally ambiguous because he is immoral in the beginning and then transitions into a more moral character. When he was younger, he shuts out life and the people around him because he doesn’t want to take responsibility for his actions. The Great Sleep and the Great Twitch are his attempts for apathy, but they just make him more immoral. Disregarding his wife and insulting his father prove that he doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong. In fact, I definitely dislike Jack in his early years, and I think that the dislike arises from Robert Penn Warren’s characterization of him as immoral. Jack becomes morally ambiguous though towards the end because he starts to realize his immoral ways. He accepts the spider web theory as evidenced by his finally finished dissertation. Jack realizes that he was connected to the deaths of Willie, Adam Stanton, and Judge Irwin. His realization shows that he has finally taken responsibility for his actions, and I believe such responsibility equals morality. In my timed writing, I said that his change in morality is significant because it parallels his change in theories. I still need to figure out how it parallels his change of theories.

Morally ambiguous characters are very interesting because they appear frequently in literature, but for different reasons. Later, I would like to talk about other characters, like Esther Greenwood from Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar and even Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series.

"The Harlem Dancer" Analysis Continued...

Here's my analysis for the next four lines of "The Harlem Dancer":

As the poem progresses, the dancer starts to embody elegance rather than the distaste one would expect of a night club dancer. She is “graceful and calm,” showing that she isn’t part of the excitement around her. In fact, her calmness suggests that she is physically, but not psychologically, in the night club. The dancer is also depicted as wearing “light gauze,” a translucent material that is often used to wrap up wounds. The wearing of gauze could symbolize the presence of emotional wounds. The speaker elaborates on the dancer’s wounds after the seventh line. To the speaker, the dancer was a palm tree, strong and able, and was “lovelier for passing through a storm,” as the dancer became more beautiful through the hardships she faced. The gauze mentioned earlier may represent covering up the wounds from her past suffering. Another contrast is established as the reader learns that the speaker appreciates the dancer for her inner strength while the audience values her for her outward beauty.