Introduction:
Atwood portrays the two characters differently but at the same shows elements that are relatable to both of them.
Body:
Similarities
Paragraph 1- Point-(Manipulative)
W.O.B-Deceives her husbands by lying, using sex and makes them feel guilty.
"Baar I stifly mine olde housbondes on honde-------Lines 380-387
That thus they seyden in her dronkenesse;
And al was fals, but that I took witnesse.
...
O Lord! the peyne I dide hem and the wo
Ful gilteless, by Goddes sweet pine!"
Openly admitting that she manipulates her husband by making him feel guilty and lying to them when he is 'drunk'. Embraces that she does. Shows how her attitude to him is very little.Links with the power/influence she has over them;dominaring character. Maybe as she has been married at such a young age and exposed to being sexual, she has no shame about speaking about it so openly. This can explain this quality about her. Her gap-tooth connotes her sexual behaviour so seems somewhat apart of her physical as well.
T.H.T- "Maybe you should try it another way...Another man, she says." Page 215
"Maybe I could get something for you...A picture..Of her...Your little girl.But only maybe" Page 216
In order to get baby she offers Offred an incentive of a picture of her daughter in order for her to get a baby quicker. She believes that the Commander has become sterile so she wants her chances to be many by Offred sleeping with Nick who is younger than he is. It seems that she is in need and not want of a child for maybe personal reasons like longing, and/or recognition from other wives. She not only decieves the handmaid for her own personal gain but also her husband which shows her desperation for a child and the length she will go to get her way in her oppressive household.
Paragraph 2-Point(Bold personalities)
W.O.B-Wife speaking openly about sex to her audience
Will establish the connotations of BOLD for both Serena Joy and the Wife of Bath
Mention of her 'Quoniam' Line 608 in the presence of a friar, nun, pardoner. This adjective to describe her private part shows commoness and a general 'i don't care' attitude towards her audience which re-enforces her bold personality. It seems that the Wife has no respect or consideration for others ideologies and practices. Will link to the theme of women’s power. Open power, calls herself a ‘poweress’. Even though society is patriarchal she will confine herself to this type of society. Link to Feminist perspective of the Wife.
T.H.T\Treatment towards Offred on arrival
“So, your the new one...She didn’t step aside to let me in, she just stood there in the doorway, blocking the entrance.” + “I want to see as little of you as possible, she said” Page 25.
Can only be ‘bold’ towards the people in her household but not her husband. As Gilead is a patriarchal society, she cannot be bold or disobey her husband. Atwood does not mention any incidents where Serena is rude or bold to husband. This is done on purpose. The handmaid threatens Serena’s status thus her standing her ground when she first meets Offred. Will explore the connotations of BLOCKING. Will link to the theme of women’s power. Serena has power but is very limited/confined to the handmaid and household.
Paragraph 3-Point(Loves, enjoys craft)
W.O.B-Sewing
“Of clooth-making she hadde swich an haunt,
She passed hem of Ypres and of Gaunt.”
Quote shows that the Wife used the making of cloth as a way of conducting business. Extravagant lace and cloth makes the Wife look like she is boastful of her skill and adds to her elaborate character. This shows another element of the Wife having power in her society as she is apart of such a trade. This trade and skill makes the Wife less dependable on men therefore her being able to cope on her own.
T.H.T-Gardening
“Sometimes the Commander’s Wife has the chair brought out, and just sits in it, in her garden.” And “This garden is the domain of the Commander’s Wife.” Page 22.
Although the two enjoy doing craft work, Serena Joy does it as a hobby and not as a business as compared with the Wife because she cannot exert her power and expertise of Gardening in the same was that the Wife can ; who is bashful and can tell about her cloth making.
Paragraph 4-Point(Jealous)
WOB- “He hadde a book that gladly, night and day,”. Line 609.
Jealous that she doesn’t have his attention at night. Content of book, how ironic it is mention. How sentence is phrased, night before day. Quote shows how piteous the Wife is when she does not have control or power over her husbands. Comes down to her mastery. Does not consider the feelings or even the intellect that Jankin has as he is a clergy and will b interested in books of all kinds. Links to the point of her being self-absorbed.
T.H.T-“The rings of her left hand cut into my fingers. It may or not be revenge”. Page 104.Left hand is marriage hand-symbolic.
“Get up and get out”. Page 106. -Jealously, hatred and insecurity. Repetition of imperative, get, makes her sound even more serious and jealous as it seems that she cant wait to get rid of her.( as she said from the beginning that she wants to see as little of her as possible-)
WOB- “I was a lusty oon,
and faire, and riche, and young, and wel bigon
and trewely as mine housbondes tolde me,
I hadde the beste quoniam might be”
T.H.T-?
Differences
Paragraph 6- Point Wife ‘enjoys’ sex more than Serena
W.O.B\ 'quonium' reference + she cud never pass up a good fellow. Mention about her being 'Gap-toothed' is emphasis on her enhanced sexuality as that was society's perception of it.
Embraces her sexuality and private parts. Openly expresses feelings about sex and men and women and justifies her speech by mentioning that
"Al were it good no womman for to touche,-
He mente as in his bed or in his couche;
For peril is bothe fyr and tow t'assemble:
Ye knowe what this ensample may resemble."
The openness about her sexual appetitie is not stereotypical to the women of her time as they were not supposed to be like that, if so were labelled prostitutes.
T.H.T\ attitude towards Offred at the Ceremony. Chapter 16- (description)
Embraces her sexuality and private parts. Openly expresses feelings about sex and men and women and justifies her speech by mentioning that
"Al were it good no womman for to touche,-
He mente as in his bed or in his couche;
For peril is bothe fyr and tow t'assemble:
Ye knowe what this ensample may resemble."
The openness about her sexual appetitie is not stereotypical to the women of her time as they were not supposed to be like that, if so were labelled prostitutes.
T.H.T\ attitude towards Offred at the Ceremony. Chapter 16- (description)
Sexual oppression and purpose of sex in Gilead.
Paragraph 7-Serena has more traditional values even though the W.O.B is from the 14th century
W.O.B\ she doesn't conform to society's view of a 'woman' or 'mother figure'
T.H.T\she is more about the value that society say is instilled in a 'woman'
Paragraph 8-How Passionate personalities are
W.O.B- use of language suggests happiness and warmth.
T.H.T- cold in character-reactions and conformity
T.H.T- cold in character-reactions and conformity
Looking good....
ReplyDeleteNo need to give descriptions unless they lead to specific points.
Okay, took out and done introduction and 1st paragraph.
ReplyDelete