Chapter 13 analysis – power language – figurative language

oppression – effect on the women Offred’s body

Social protest elements – power – manipulation of power through language

Atwood’s incorporation of descriptive and figurative language successfully

portrays how Offred views her own body, and her thoughts on her identity as a
female in Gilead – language shows how regime stripped them of their
identifies- changed the way they think about each other.

Chapter 13 - I used to think of my body as an instrument, of pleasure, or a

means of transportation, or an implement for the accomplishment of my will
now the flesh arranges itself differently. I am a cloud,
congealed around a central object, the shape of a pear, which is hard and
more real than I am and glows red within its translucent wrapping

simile – “used to think of my body as an instrument” - the simile instrument

associates Offred’s body with something fragile, and artistic, portraying her
purity of mind and body before internalizing Gilead’s ideas- her body like an
instrument is used as an extension of her will – here Atwood conveys to the
audience that her body was once dictated by her decisions and emotions-
reminds audience of cruelty of the regime who took Offred’s body away from
her. Change highlighted through “now the flesh arranges itself differently

Atwood then goes on to describe how Offred views herself under the
influence of the misogynistic society: I am cloud, congealed around a central
object, the shape of pear, which is more hard and real than I am in this
passage, Atwood’s metaphor compares Offred’s body to a cloud surrounding
far more important, central object - a womb. – emphasizes she is a walking
“womb” t these thoughts show that Offred has come to accept Gilead’s
demanding attitude towards women, which belittles them as mere objects
that live for the sole purpose of bearing a child. – causes audience to feel
empathy.
She does have certain power over her body - uses body as a tool to gain
freedom and power from men, using the knowledge that they are either
sexually deprived or lustful “I enjoy the power; power of a dog bone, passive
but there. I hope they get hard at the sight of us and have to rub themselves
against the painted barriers, surreptitiously – occurs while Offred is walking
with Ofglen meet 2 guardians – and Offred teases guard by shaking her hips
looking into his eyes

This shows that the power structure within Gilead is flexible, although it may
seem rigid. Through the metaphor of a dog bone, Atwood conveys Offred’s
power in this situation to something that dogs (which are the Guardians)
cannot resist. The comparison of theGuardians to dogs, highlights both the
dehumanising aspect of stripping the Guardians of their sexualactivity; and
their desire for sexual activity. This is strengthened by Atwood’s portrayal of
OffredÕsthoughts when she imagines a visual picture of the Guardians subtly
pleasing themselves from heractions. The visual imagery that Atwood
conjures creates a slightly uneasy atmosphere due to itsovertly sexual
nature, which when paired with OffredÕs casual attitude, shows the
internalisation ofGileadÕs ideals, changing what is commonly known as the
ÔnormÕ. It also goes to show how willingOffred is to exercise what little
power she has, from her only outlet Ð her female body. It appears toreaders
almost as an act of desperation, which further emphasises the consequences
of the stripping of power from both males and females in Gilead

https://www.academia.edu/18404165/
Role_of_Language_in_exploring_power_structures_within_he_Handmaids_T
ale