The Handmaid s Tale By Margaret Atwood - 1744 Words

Procreation is a driving force that manifests itself differently within the numerous characters in Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s tale. Social classes are structured on the basis of child rearing, and sexuality is used as a tool to control the lives of citizens living within Gileadean society. People of different classes experience different motivating forces in relation to the goal of procreation rather than simply continuing the civilization. The whole class system is also based entirely off of fertility, although in private the separation of the classes may become less defined. This system is reinforced through many control tactics which affects those of a lower class in a negative manner. This is evident in many areas of the†¦show more content†¦She experiences a push factor to conceive, with consequences as severe as death if she can not. â€Å"He could fake the tests, report me for cancer, for infertility, have me shipped off to the Colonies, wit h the Unwomen† (Atwood, 76). This quote demonstrates the extent to which she would be punished if she could not conceive. The Colonies are a place where people are sent as punishment to clean up radioactive waste which lowers their life expectancies drastically. Serena Joy will be used as a symbol for all women of higher class. She, unlike Offred, experiences a pull factor. Having a baby is an attractive thought to her, but if she is not able to have one through a handmaid there are no consequences. For her, she wishes for the sympathy and attention of others. We see this when another Wife has a baby which she later loses named Angela, when this is said about the Wives’ behaviour: â€Å"On these days the Wives hang around for hours, helping to open the presents, gossiping, getting drunk. Something has to be done to dispel their envy† (Atwood, 170) . This demonstrates the reason for which these women want children. The Wives live in their own bubble, where theyâ⠂¬â„¢re infatuated with each other and keep to themselves. They all want to be the reason for each other’s envy. The commander, like the rest of Gileadean society, is very political in his wishes. Just as his Wife wishes for the status that comes with having a child, so does he. As a supporter of