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Dad??s critical poetry, ‘Not so Good Earth (1 966)’ and ‘Enter Without so Much as Knocking (1 9591, thereby characterization. Together, the two composers explore their concerns through the idea of conformity as a form of negative response from individuals influenced by the coexistence of social and personal values. Conformity under society’s expectations ultimately results in the demonstration of individuals through the loss of freedom.
Tattoo’s utilization of the Wall as a motif, creates a metaphorical barrier between the Gladdens and freedom, as well as a physical and mental barrier, diminishing individuals’ ability to escape, to freedom and thus signifies the power possessed by the Gilead government and forms a sense of fear. The election of Ronald Reagan in 1 981 brought about the “Reagan Era”, a period where conservative domination was evident in both politics and society.
Atwood addressed this domination of power of the conservatives metaphorically through the society of Gilead, which too, had resulted in the loss of freedom of many individuals. The empathetic tone in “she did it before they came,” highlights the character’s unyielding nature and determination to refuse benison underneath the regime. However, the power to control her mindset and morals is minimal compared to those overriding the society, ultimately strictly confines the individual to a dictated regime, hence limiting escape. The use of anaphora in “I’ll empty myself…
I’ll give up Nick, I’ll forget about the others… I’ll accept my lot”, highlights Fried’s willingness to self- degrade in desperation to survive in a disappoint society. Such action is the result of the overwhelming of power over an individual. Therefore, Atwood explores the consequences of dictatorial power, and hence demonstrating her criticisms of 20th century events concerning totalitarian regimes, such as the Nazi Germany and Stalin. Distinctively, thereby the examination of society lack of understanding and care, Dade expresses the negativity of technology development in Not So Good Earth.
The utilization of dark humor in “families famishing in comfort on the 25-inch screen” criticizes society ignorance towards global affairs, and juxtaposes between the lives of those in tragic circumstances, and the lives of those unbeknownst of these extremities. The motif of the television, alluded by ’25-inch screen’, indicates Daces concern towards the destinations of disasters and tragedies through media, entertainment industry and technology. The visual imagery in “wiping out in a blue flash and curlicue of smoke” reinforced by the truncated sentence “600 million Chinese without a trace… Emphasizes the insignificance of reality under the illusion of entertainment specifically, how easily the cruel circumstances obliterates from the viewers’ consciousness. The characterization of Uncle Billy and his fast going eyesight metaphorically embodies the lack of clarity of Westerners to the realities of Simian’s ongoing experience of deprivation, highlighting society’s inability to priorities external political and social struggles. The lack of empathy and sympathy exemplified by uncle Bill highlights Dace’s criticism on the effects of the technology.
The pressure of society results in an individual’s conformity to social values and hence consequents in the loss of individuality. The metaphor in “we are containers, it’s only the insides of our bodies that are important” evidently suggests the immoral treatment of the Handmaids, the degradation of Handmaids from human of value to objects of little importance. Objectifying women is reinforced through the high modality in “there is no such thing as a sterile man anymore… Here are only women who are fruitful and women who are barren”, which, alludes to Tattoo’s express of concern towards the degradation of the environment and its effect on the futility of life. Furthermore, the negative connotation apparent in “they’ve removed anything you could tie a rope to” Emphasizes the extent of control and power imposed upon the Handmaids. By removing the possibility of suicide, women become entirely powerless, for the government have taken absolute control over all aspects of the citizens’ lives.
Additionally, the informative tone used “the white wings too are prescribed issue, they are to keep us from seeing, but also from being seen”, enables the audience to acknowledge the lack Of freedom provided to women in general and the inability to be opinionated and the unavailability of self-control. By manipulating the character of Offered, Atwood Emphasizes the consequences of the reversal of women rights from a sis of religion fundamentalism, reflecting her concerns of gender oppression.