... for", they are there as a deterrent. These rules, which govern everything for the people of the Gileadean society, are complemented by the routines that are always strictly adhered to. The ceremony is a monthly ritual, which the whole household must attend, however small a part they play in it. The household; the Governor's wife, the Marthas, the handmaid and the Guardian, gather in ... job and position. This is a constructive way of controlling her. She has to do things a certain way at a certain time so as to enhance her chances of conception. Even "the Ceremony" itself is performed t...

• Word Count: 1959
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... the Birth Day. On the day when a Handmaid gives birth to her surrogate child, the Wives and Handmaids of the surrounding district are gathered to the house for a Birth Day ceremony. Offred describes the Birth Day she attends for the Handmaid Ofwarren, formerly Janine. The female castes are taken in separate groups, in separate vans; they attend and perform in the ... of birth, the Wife of the Commander sits behind his Handmaid, framing her at the moment of birth just as she framed her at the moment of conception in the Ceremony. After the birth, the Handmaid is once again pushed to the ...

• Word Count: 1783
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... . The only part of the body exposed is the woman's eyes. Furthermore, in The Handmaid's Tale, the women such as Offred are forced to go through the devastation of "The Ceremony." These poor women can be used by their Commanders, which in our society is known as rape, and nothing can be done about it. If she goes to someone to ... ...

• Word Count: 1529
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... handmaids are subjected to the grueling task of putting a man to death which sets up another instance in which offred's state of mind is compromised . As the time of the ceremony draws closer, the Handmaids become more unnerved. Looking around the room, Offred feels she "...would like to steal something from this room... Every once in a while I would take it out ... ...

• Word Count: 1438
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... Gilead. Then there are the times when the "eyes" and the government actually let the girls interact. These occasions are extremely rare, though they are rather exciting. At the birthing ceremony, the Handmaids drink a grape drink and Offred mentions, "Someone has spiked the grape juice. Someone has pinched a bottle, from downstairs. It won't be the first time at such a gathering; but ... ...

• Word Count: 1071
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... go for checkups they would be worried if the doctor would make up a false report or not. The only time that portrays men as being sexually controlling, other than the ceremony is during Offred's encounter with her doctor. He displays sympathy for Offred, rather than the other way around; "It's genuine, genuine sympathy;" (Atwood, pg.139) although "he's enjoying this, sympathy ... ...

• Word Count: 1204
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... life is her Commander. Although alleged to be one of the architects of Gilead society, throughout the novel he is portrayed as surprisingly sympathetic, if not a little pitiable. During the Ceremony, Offred quickly detaches herself from the situation, "What he is fucking if the lower part of my body Making love is not an accurate phrase, as this is not what ... ...

• Word Count: 1487
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School