Women’s equality is a constant struggle that is still an issue today. To this day, women are still not considered equals to men, which is shown in the workplace and at home. The inequalities in income, careers, roles in parenting and in marriage, and in relationships, are fixed problems that still do not have a resolution. These are regular issues that occur in the novel The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood. This novel is about the superiority and governing of women by men. The Republic of Gilead is a society that results in misery and oppression of individuals. Gilead presents as an imagined place where liberation for women is restricted due to the government’s extreme policies. Women are continually subjected to the rules and regulations of Gilead. They are stripped of their rights, freedoms, and individuality in order to coerce them into being surrogates for powerful families. Women are not allowed to hold jobs, read, or own bank accounts. Their main purpose is to have children due to the society’s decline in birth rates. Nevertheless, no matter how much the regime tries to be in control of the lives of women in its society, they can never be fully subdued. Although Offred, Moira, and Ofglen are women who live under the Gileadean regime, they are women who do not let the values and beliefs of the Gileadean society control their lives. These women attempt to move past and elude the society of Gilead.
Offred is a progressive character who develops from a cautious handmaid to a rebellious protagonist. Margaret Atwood uses this character change to demonstrate how the government of Gilead cannot confine an individual by using controlling tactics. Offred’s life has become diminutive and her identity has been taken from her. She has difficulty adapting to the developing society, but she continues to hold onto small but essential characteristics of what makes her, herself. Offred understands the laws of Gilead; however, when put in the situation of choosing to accept the doctors offer to impregnate her, she becomes hesitant. She realizes that “[She’s] crossed no boundaries, [she’s] given no trust, taken no risk, all is safe. It’s the choice that terrifies [her]. A way out, a salvation,” (Atwood, 76). Offred is aware of the extreme consequences regarding this decision and is living in fear, but she is also aware that it is her chance to be “free.” This being said, in Offred’s mind are engraved thoughts of salvation by rebelling against the regime. As the novel progresses, Offred’s will, to not give up and her hope in escaping Gilead, overpowers her fear in the consequences of going against the Gileadean regime. Finding the carving “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum,” (Atwood, 65) in her room is significant to Offred because she realizes there was another oppressed woman who must have been in the same dehumanizing situation before her. Although she has no conception of the phrase’s meaning, she utilizes it for motivational purposes. It is known that no handmaid is able to read, but the fact that this expression is engraved in her room, allows her to consider even the slightest thought of hope. Offred believes this expression connects her to the previous handmaid and uses it as a prayer to remind herself to be optimistic. Although, Offred lives a repressed lifestyle, she maintains hope and with that, she will never be completely subjugated.
Moira’s character signifies female resistance in Gilead. The government is unable to maintain control over her, as she is not one to be restrained. She is Offred’s best friend and she is someone who does not meet the standards of a traditional woman the government wants. She is a lesbian and being so, she rejects male to female sexual interactions, which is the only kind that the Republic of Gilead values and allows. Moira is a women who stands up directly to the government by making attempts to escape Gilead. Moira’s first escape shows her strength of purpose. However, with her capture, she undergoes severe punishments beginning with “[Her] feet they’d do, for a first offense. They used steel cables, frayed at the ends. After that the hands” (Atwood, 114). Although, her attempt of escaping Gilead failed and resulted in consequences, Moira is more determined than ever to find a way out of Gilead. Moira exemplifies a bold and courageous women, “Because [she] marched straight out the front door, with the bearing of a person who knew where she was going; was saluted, presented aunt Elizabeth’s pass, which they didn’t bother to check, because who would affront an Aunt in that way. And disappeared” (Atwood, 166). Moira’s cunning plan to disguise herself as an Aunt is daring. Even knowing that if she were to get caught, it would result in her receiving a far greater punishment than that of her first offense. She manages to escape from the Red center for a second time. After her escape, she is recognized by the other women in the center as a motivational figure that gives them hope, that one day they will be able to escape and be free from Gilead’s dictatorial government. Moira is not willing to give up her freedom and allow the government to restrict and insert their values and beliefs into her life. In other words, she will never accept the beliefs of Gilead. Moira essentially becomes a representation of strength, courage, and hope. Therefore, Moira is an individual who cannot be confined by the rules and regulations set forth by the government.
Ofglen is a woman who is subjected to live in a society where she is deprived of her individuality due to the Gileadean regime. However, she is resilient and shows resistance towards Gilead’s rules and regulations. Ofglen is initially perceived as just Offred’s shopping partner, who Offred suspects to be a true believer in the Gileadean society. Ofglen takes more risks, as she introduces words like May Day to Offred, “It’s a beautiful May day,” (Atwood, 54) which is the name of an underground resistance movement that opposes and dedicates themselves to overthrowing the Republic of Gilead. Ofglen is a friend to Offred, in which she can talk and connect with. Ofglen provides Offred with hope to be free, from the tight grip the government holds over the society of Gilead. Ofglen’s commitment to the resistance is demonstrated through her actions at a function, where the execution of a supposed rapist is taking place. The handmaid’s goal is to beat him to death; however, Ofglen decides to take matters into her own hands and strikes him in the head multiple times. She commits this act as the supposed rapist was part of the underground resistance and she wished to give him a quick, swift death. Ofglen’s decision ultimately ended her life. She sacrifices her life, in order to not betray others when tortured, as the authority discovered she is a member of the resistance. The discovery of her association with the resistance puts her in danger of being taken by the Eyes. When hearing of Ofglen’s death, Offred feels relief as “[She] feels thankful to her. She has died that [Offred] may live” (Atwood, 357). This is due to Ofglen being a member of the resistance and having more knowledge about it than Offred ever did, which creates worries in her mind, as she may be in more danger than she realizes. Offred has concerns that valuable information about her could be told to those who are in control and have power. All in all, Ofglen maintains her mentality; she has never fallen under the influence of the Gileadean regime. Thus, effectively demonstrating that no person can be entirely enslaved.
As readers preview the novel, the Republic of Gilead’s illustrates a centralized government that exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life. They have control over the rights, freedoms, and will of others. However, Offred, Moira, and Ofglen attempt to destroy the Gileadean government or at least make their own circumstances more bearable, as each character commits rebellious acts. They bring highlight to the unlivable terror of the Gileadean society. Everyone is expected to live their lives following the rules and guidelines set by Gilead. They are forced to ignore the fact that they are oppressed by the government; instead they are told to think of Gilead as their saviour. Nevertheless, Offred, Moira, and Ofglen demonstrate that a person, no matter the circumstances they are forced to live through, they will never be totally diminished and be brainwashed into believing the views and principles, the government is trying to instill upon them.