The Relevance of "The Handmaid's Tale" to Today's Political Atmosphere - Essay Sample

Introduction

"The Handmaid's Tale" is presented as a Biblical, dystopian drama that entails some series of horror that comes uncannily close to reality (Atwood, 1986). The depictions in the novel reveal an unapologetic graphic depiction of violence, abuse, rape, and exploitation, that can be compared to today's political environment in most parts across the globe. The novel particularly shows how women are subjected to physical and mental torture in politics. As shown in the novel, objectifying and degrading female identities in the past forced women to feel insecure and allowed women to form a feminist movement to overcome the lack of gender equality in today's society.

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"The Handmaid's Tale" reveals various forms of extremism common in the modern political arena that holds the societies backward. Women politicians have been particularly targeted by gun violence in various parts of the world. For example, the recent case of the congresswoman who was shot by fanatic Tea Party individual represents an example of different happenings in the political arena. As shown in the novel, Emily (Alexis Bledel) is forced to endure predicaments where infertile couples try to inseminate their respective handmaids. Besides, the author writes, "I was nervous. How was I to know he loved me? It might be just an affair. Why did we ever say just? Though at that time men and women tried each other on, casually, like suits, rejecting whatever did not fit (p.50)." The haunting voice depicted demonstrate what women have to go through in political environments.

Women are the main victims of segregation and inhumane treatment in the Republic of Gilead, a phenomenon which has been common in modern society. In Gilead, as demonstrated by Atwood, female subjection is complete where even the handmaid's identity is subsumed by males who control them. In the modern political arena, women inequalities are demonstrated by various examples including the latest US presidential election. As women in the novel are forbidden to take some positions, modern society has shown open discrimination towards their ability in top political seats. In this regard, the tale is a representation of how women's career is limited in small positions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Handmaid's Tale" demonstrates gender inequality as a valuation of a particular gender in specific social/political chores in socially constructed views. The modern society in different places sees women being denied important rights to education among others. In essence, people in society end up defining gender traits based on such exposures. Such social notions are illustrated in the tale where women face discrimination, rape, and rejection. In this regard, the analysis shows that the novel is a satirical representation of the social, political, and religious climate in modern society and how it affects women.

References

Atwood, M. (1986). The handmaid's tale. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.