2020 IB Extended Essays

( p80 ). This metaphor shows the psychological impact being a Handmaid has had on Offred. She has separated herself from her body as a tool to cope with the scheduled raping that she must endure. By separating her body and mind as two different entities, she can protect herself from the horror of her life Underpinning this vulgarity, Atwood employs a recurring red colour motif through the novel within the Handmaid’s uniform, Serena’s tulips and the blood spots on the hoods of executed abortionists. Red alludes to the female menstrual cycle, “the colour of blood, which defines [them]” ( p18 ) and is served as a reminder that the value of women within the society is entirely based on of their ability to reproduce and carry children. Atwood then contrasts this carnal use of red with the pure symbolism of a white bonnet. Even during the horrific ceremony, where Offred must lie under the Commander’s wife whilst he tries to impregnate her, she still has to wear the bonnet. Offred is often told her role was one of honour but the actions of those around her and the requirements of her role, are those tainted with shame. This shame forced upon the Handmaid’s stigmatises and vilifies females for having sex, even in a procreative circumstance. Despite the shaming of female sexual acts, Atwood does not disparage marriage or love. This is represented through Nick and Offred’s relationship. There the prospect of a healthy relationship and good men can exist. The existence of such relationship in Gilead, is the main difference between God Dies by the Nile and The Handmaid’s Tale . Interestingly, in God Dies by the Nile , every single male character has at least one significant character flaw. This binary in the novel generalises and vilifies the behaviour of men, and although this is not realistic, it aids to the purpose of the novel. By creating a blunt portrayal of men, El-Saadawi shocks the reader and highlights the devastating situation that many women are in. El-Saadawi deconstructs the patriarchal class system by showing an unfiltered lens into the ugly side of Egyptian society where women are assaulted for being women. Additionally, El-Saadawi paints a significantly more violent and lustful picture than The Handmaids Tale, where sex is mostly a censored act. Due to the multiple narration voices,

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