Defining Humanity

Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood is an amazing and appalling story of a dystopian world where women have become little more than chattel.  Having read it in high school english, I recall the discussion we had over whether such a world could really come to fruition.  There are many ways by which the novel mirrors techniques of oppression found in our world today.  Not to mention Handmaid's Tale is set in the not too distant future where their past is our current reality.  And while some of these connections can get downright spooky, I am personally of the opinion that this nation could not realistically fall into such a scenario.

Maybe this is naively optimistic of me but I don't think women could completely segregate themselves into the class system displayed in the novel.  The distinct separation between wives, handmaids, aunts, and marthas is drastic beyond belief.  Each cast seems to bear unnecessary disdain for the others.  This isn't like how UT and A&M are rivals.  They can't even seem to relate to each other on a human level. As Offred says of the commander's servants, "To them I'm a household chore, one among many." (48)  It's as if they're experiencing classism within classism.  I feel that if the world ever did become like that, the women of the varying groups would have a better support net for each other.  After all, we're biologically designed to function in a group.  I can't imagine a world really being that strictly regimented.

I don't think it's humanly possible to obey all the rules set down by Gilead.
http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&q=handmaid+tale#/d1qeuem

Also, I find it difficult to believe that interactions between men and women could be so formulaic and structured.  Neither men nor women can be completely logical when it comes to the other sex.  Although the goal of Gilead is to make women non-entites, I don't think it could logically succeed. In the description of how Offred uses butter as cream for her face, she says "we are containers, it's only the insides of our bodies that are important." (96)  But that's not entirely true.  Ok, the society of Gilead strictly enforces this ideal but think on the individual level.  Physical attraction is hard to deny, even if they try to shelter it as much as possible.  Yes, the handmaids wear a ridiculous gown and wimple to hide them but such measures would be ineffective in real life.  The way someone talks or walks or generally interacts with the world can be just as sensuous as a low cut top in such a sterile environment.

Offred gazing up at one of Gilead's punished offenders.
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I think this book is an intriguing read because of the twisted biblical references and the secretive way it alludes to how such a society could come into existence.  But in all honesty, I think we're safe from this actually ever happening in real life.