Glass Brain

"We" My thoughts

I appreciated the overall meaning of the work, which criticized utopian aims and conformity, however, I did not enjoy the intentionally disorderly writing style, even though it was consistent with the nature of the character.  Showing such a chaotic perspective of a precisely timed, organized world was a successful way of conveying the negative consequences of extremism, however, it did not result in pleasant or interactive reading.  The detached sentence structure and inhuman equations applied to life, made me feel isolated as a reader, from the story line; only vaguely witnessing the events of the novel from the outside, as opposed to feeling connected to the characters and anticipating each of their experiences.  In conclusion, I thought the novel successfully communicated its intended meaning, but I did not like the structure or style of the piece. 

"We" Passage Analysis

Amongst the clutter and chaos that “We” is composed of, I found a passage that struck my interest, particularly because it was so ironic given the circumstance.  Amidst D-503’s literary depiction of his incomprehensible world of confusion, which we have had the challenge of deciphering by analyzing “We”, he frequently attempted to quantify life into mathematical terms.  He ironically explains the method to achieve a logical, calculated format for life, while his own life is in a head-first whirlwind.  “The highest thing in Man is his reason, and what the work of reason comes down to is the continual limitation of infinity, dividing infinity up into convenient, easily digestible portions: differentiation (Zamyatin 64).”  He discusses differentiation, which acts as an antonym to unity, something he strives for by obediently working on OneState’s Integral.  He endorses both differentiation and conformity, thus confirming that he has no grasp on the “highest thing in Man” and consequently contradicts himself. 

"We" Analysis of the use of "I"

                Yevgeny Zamyatin’s novel “We” conspicuously places prominence on unity and conformation, as its title implies.  Unexpectedly, however, throughout the novel particular interest is subtly placed on the contrasting term, “I.”  The prime example of such contradiction is found in the name of the main character’s source of turmoil and love interest, I-330.

                The spirit of the novel’s society favors and promotes unity, and more noticeably, conformation, at every opportunity, with all members of society following a strict time table that dictates their day, which consists of wearing identical uniforms and marching in organized ranks.  D-503’s obedience is opposed by I-330 who seduces him, causes him to question himself and his environment, and most importantly, inspires doubt in D-503 about the strength of mass identity versus the power of individuals. 

                D-503 becomes enthralled with more than just his inexplicable emotions towards I-330, he also struggles to identify right from wrong, the leaders he has long trusted to control his life, or his new confusing love.  Stumbling over expressing his emotions, D-503 stutters that he loves I-330, but he hates the chaos  she churns into his thoughts.  Love by many would be considered similar to the term we, representing harmony and togetherness, however this is questioned by love and hate being contrasted to “we” and “I.”  This comparison is extended to a new extreme by D-503 who attempts to organize and condense his thoughts, “Humility is a virtue, pride a vice; We comes from God, I from the Devil (Zamyatin 124).”  In this statement he is claiming that “I” is a product of the devil, but “I” is associated with the name of his love, confirming his divergent thoughts towards the significance of “I”.  D-503 struggles because he cannot understand that ideas as enormous as love and hate and I and we cannot be narrowed down to a mathematical equation to identify a single, concrete answer. 

Scrabble + Faith pillow

"The Handmaid's Tale" My thoughts

I enjoyed Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” particularly because it gave life to an issue that may otherwise be oversimplified, on both an individual and mass scale.  Atwood convinced me not only of the importance of her concerns for society regarding extremism, but also assured me of the reality of this issue.  The development of relatable characters with flawed backgrounds in addition to a modern time period, and a heavy use of metaphors contributed to my appreciation and understanding of Atwood’s novel. 

                I found the perspective of first person narrated by Offred very insightful, and it allowed me to experience the terror that was Gilead on a personal level, anticipating every threat that Offred faced as a very real situation.  Portions of the interactions between Offred and supporting characters such as Nick, the Commander, and Ofglen developed into relationships that paralleled our own society, with Offred mirroring the role of a mistress for the commander.  Details throughout the novel from Offred’s memories of the past heightened my familiarity with her character, enriching emotions of pity, sorrow, and hope for Offred. 

                Events such as the Salvaging, the burning of magazines, and the hanging of people on the Wall inflicted me with concern for the greater good, examining political and social issues on a larger scale.  While I felt as if I were reading an article about a devastating case of extremism, and I was educated on both the author’s perspective as well as the general threat posed by potential issues, I did not feel as I were being preached to on the horrors of abuse of power, gender struggles, violation of civil liberties, or religious debate.  The commentary and satire was there in plain sight and boldly stated, however, it was not shoved into my thoughts to a degree that would undermine the quality of Offred’s story. 

                I thought this novel was an interesting read because it managed to develop a very sensitive concern into a story that offered relatable characters, efficient biblical allusions, and metaphors. 

"The Handmaid's Tale" passage analysis

“It’s difficult to resist, believe me.  But remember that forgiveness too is a power.  To beg for it is a power, and to withhold or bestow it is a power, perhaps the greatest (Atwood 134-135).”  This insightful thought is considered by Offred as she debates with herself, concluding that something is inevitably lost in a reconstruction, and admits that even her own account is a reconstruction.  I find this line compelling because of its relevance not only to the lack of responsible use of power and its translation into Gilead’s society, but also to both human interaction and religion.  This passage speaks to human behavior, warning society not to lose track of their treatment of others, to be forgiving because we make mistakes, and to be cautious with whom you bestow trust in.

  Gilead is familiar with imbalance of power and mistreatment of people, such as the commanders who are superior to other members of society and abuse their designated power, to the extent of breaking the very laws that they themselves established.  Commanders have crumbled to the temptation that is power, and have corrupted themselves by imposing laws on others, while they do not hold themselves to such standards, such as when Offred’s commander illegally slips her out at night to the brothel, Jezebel’s.  Offred has witnessed the destructive effects caused by an abuse of power, as her thoughts confirm.

While Offred may not be a religiously devoted person, she does understand Gilead’s misconceptions towards religion, which she corrects with her reminder “that forgiveness too is a power…perhaps the greatest (134-135).”  She encourages forgiveness where it is due; because unlike the leaders of Gilead who aim for inhuman perfection, she recognizes that no one is so righteous and God-like that they are beyond faltering.  She also acknowledges that those who refuse to offer forgiveness and mercy are not acting within their limits, as it is the role of a god or other religious figure to withhold or bestow the most extreme, and ultimate forgiveness or lack thereof. 

Finally, Offred’s message serves as a caution against simply handing out forgiveness to untrustworthy people, because both forgiveness and trust are qualities that must be earned.  Offred is aware that the majority of Gilead’s population has been misguided by leaders such as the Commanders and Aunts, and she has also been taught by a fellow handmaid to be conscientious of whom to bestow trust in. 

By heeding the warning of Offred, individuals improve society, themselves, and their faith, all through the immense power of receiving, presenting, and asking for forgiveness. 

"The Handmaid's Tale": symbol analysis, Flowers

Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” is rich in masculine power, authority, and references, however, even extremely minor expressions of femininity are scarce.  A rare mention of femininity is found in the reoccurring symbol of various flowers.  An array of flowers including Lily of the Valley, tulips, daisies, irises, bleeding hearts, peonies, carnations and daffodils, are all described throughout the novel, each offering a rare opportunity for femininity, as well as suggesting political or social ideas, such as the “honorable” trait of fertility. 

Of the floral references frequent to the novel, discussion of the red tulips in Serena Joy’s garden is especially prominent.  The red tulips offers both a reference to the ideals of Gilead, as well as a contrast between the beauty we recognize in blossoming flowers, compared to the hideous scene of blood outlining human lips on the Wall of Gilead.  The tulip’s blooming bulb is described as a womb-like structure, and the flowers color is also told in great detail, “The tulips are red, a darker crimson towards the stem, as if they have been cut and are beginning to heal there.”  As other portions of the novel confirm, red is a color used to represent not only blood, but fertility as well, which coordinates with the Handmaid’s robes of red, representative of their child-bearing duty.  This metaphor depicts women as the deep red tulips, which based on the view of society, serve no other function than flowers themselves, which is to reproduce, and be silent and passive in behavior. 

Red tulips would typically be interpreted as symbols of both beauty and life.  These two qualities are contrasted by the twisted view that is reflected upon the symbol of red tulips, due to Gilead’s severe punishment and fear-tactics of hanging criminals and placing them upon the wall.  The lips of an executed person, which represent disgust and death, are contrasted by the red tulips:

I look at the one red smile.  The red of the smile is the same as the red of the tulips in Serena Joy’s garden, towards the base of the flowers where they are beginning to heal.  The red is the same but there is no connection.  The tulips are not tulips of blood, the red smiles are not flowers, and neither thing makes a comment on the other.  The tulip is not a reason for disbelief in the hanged man, or vice versa.  Each thing is valid and really there (Atwood 33). 

The comparison between the tulips and the lips identifies the irony of the scenario, that while Gilead is encouraging life by promoting birth through the handmaids, the leaders of the society are also destructive to life by executing innocent people, including doctors and scientists. 

                Flowers offer an outlet for femininity, not only in the perfume-like fragrance or colorful significance of flowers, but their distinct feminine shape as well.  The handmaid Offred mentally acknowledges the extremity of male-dominance and lack of any female expression when she notes, “and the bleeding hearts, so female in shape it was a surprise they’d not long since been rooted out.”  This commentary on the extermination of femininity, extremism, and its influence on gender roles is supported by other events in the novel, including the overall idea of Serena Joy’s garden as a small place in society where a female has maintained control. 

                Finally, an allusion to the significance of female freedom through the application of flowers as symbols is recognizable in the store “Lilies of the Field.”  Prior to increased censorship and limitation of women’s rights, women of Gilead could read the sign’s store, however, the sign was repainted, and the words replaced with an image of a golden lily, to avoid complications of literate women.  The store had a pastime as a movie theater, which Offred recalls, and describes entertainment programs that featured female ability and choice, concerning makeup, clothing, and even suggested the word “undone.”  By drawing a connection between the enticing opportunities once available through sources of movies or a mere sign to read, and the selection of the store’s new name, “Lilies of the Field,” the author highlights gender roles and femininity, through the floral symbols. 

                In conclusion, Atwood developed numerous purposes and representations for breeds of flowers, concerning gender roles, contrasting life to death, and identifying the significance of color, odor, and shape in reference to female figures of the novel, such as Offred and Serena Joy.  These developed metaphors illustrated social commentary and satire, regarding extremism and gender struggles.