Nevertheless It Hurts to Tell It Over Over Again Handmaids Tale
The following is a partial transcript of David Pauls's (graduate of Lafayette Middle School, agile student at High Point Regional High Schoolhouse) speech on Margaret Atwood's use of Historical Notes in her novel "The Handmaid'due south Tale":
Pauls: Well, as you are all aware, the Historical Notes on Margaret Atwood'due south "The Handmaid's Tale" are very informative in the narrow venue that they seek to fulfill. Ane can wonder, why has she included these as the concluding words in her book? Atwood must take wanted to relay something to her reader, but what? Information technology is baffling that Atwood would end her volume in a way that relates not to the novel as a whole. But peradventure it does chronicle, by not relating at all.
Perhaps she wished to keep to show that, even in a society likewise off and sophisticated as that in Nunavit in 2195, the trend to twist history is all the same something to be contended with. For case, the use of the Bible to justify polygamy in Gileadean order was a twisting of the true meanings of the Bible. At that place could have been extenuating circumstances or differences in guild that could have caused such a method of living to exist more than appropriate than it was in Gileadean society. Just every bit the Gileadean society mistook the Bible and twisted it, so Atwood wishes to show that this unknown state in 2195 is twisting the intentions of the Handmaid's Tale. Her theme is continued in this type of epilogue, through example. The epilogue, for want of a better name for information technology, exists solely for the purpose of highlighting that fact that a order'south perception of its understanding and respect for a time by tin can exist severely flawed. Information technology is intended to show u.s. that even nosotros may not be seeing the world conspicuously, and information technology warns us to be wary. (applause)
Favorite Passage: "Withal it hurts me to tell information technology over, once more. Once was plenty: wasn't in one case enough for me at the fourth dimension? Merely I keep on going with this sad and hungry and sordid, this limping and mutilated story, because afterward all I want you to hear it, as I will hear yours too if I e'er get the take a chance, if I meet yous or if y'all escape, in the hereafter or in sky or in prison or underground, some other place. What they have in common is that they're not here. Past telling you anything at all I'grand at least assertive in y'all, I believe yous're there, I believe you into being. Considering I'm telling yous this story I will your being. I tell, therefore, yous are." (Atwood 267)
(The thinker) (I think therefore I am)
I love this passage not simply because it completely breaks the 4th wall and punches into your soul, simply besides because information technology demonstrates a way of writing that I take never seen before, yet feels so familiar to me. It really seems equally if Offred is speaking directly to me, pleading for the understanding of someone, of the universe, of God, of humanity. This passage is very strong. You can feel the weight of Offred's by in the tone of the passage. "It hurts me over, and over". She has been bearing these memories for a long time, and now must relive them once again. She herself confesses her story is "lamentable and mutilated". So why does she go along? She wants to commiserate. She wants to be comforted, as well every bit to comfort others in this world total of fear and pain, in which all humans must live. Offred even reaches out to the reader maxim she will "hear yours too". This passage serves to crazy-mucilage your destiny to hers. I feel as if this passage prepares you to take the ultimate journey with Offred. She now has your sympathy 100%. This may be in function because Offred trusted you. She has trusted y'all, and e'er will trust y'all. She doesn't know who you are or when y'all lived, but she trusts you. She believes you care. This absolute trust of your existence stems from a deep loneliness. Offred is alone, but thankfully, the reader is with her. And she knows it. And that is powerful. It gave Offred the ability to finish telling her story, though it contains only misery and woe.
Reflection: This novel gave me an intense insight into a character in a way in which I accept not seen before. Atwood'southward way of writing is so meaningful. Offred is a person that is trapped in a predicament that provides truths nearly humanity such as faith and honey. Although misuse of organized religion may be the central theme of The Handmaid's Tale, and feminism and the treatment of women are very prominent in the story, I think that believing in the good of the globe is something that this novel tackles precisely. The fashion in which Atwood describes the globe of Offred is depressing and hopeless. Even so, we tin can encounter through Atwood's writing that Offred still hopes for the proficient that existed before the creation of Gilead, and wonders when she will ever receive a chance to live like that again. Atwood conveys this through symbolism, allusions, and narration. I loved the use of "Milk and Honey" and "Allflesh". These allusions illustrated ironically that, although there is a pretence that Gilead is a "promised country", everyone knows that it actually is far from information technology. Offred knows that this life is not remotely equal to her previous i, and she laments it. I liked reading about her struggles to motion on from her past, as if information technology had never happened. I detect it interesting that it would be easier for her to alive by forgetting her past life, than by remembering it and cherishing information technology. Overall, this novel is like none I have ever read. And if the story alone was not proof plenty that Atwood wants to leave a lasting impression, the historical documents at the stop of the novel add together a whole other dimension to the story. Atwood has created a many-dimensioned product, and it is difficult to take it all in.
Source: http://spagetimuncha270.blogspot.com/2010/10/handmaids-tale-notes-on-historical.html
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