An excessively zealous theocracy based on distorted versions of a religion is extremely dangerous. Gilead is a great example of the possible corruption that can arise from any desperate situation. Throughout A Handmaid’s Tale, we see some of what early Gilead is transforming into. We see the freedoms that we take for granted evicted from life during the desperation of infertility, caused by the irresponsible disposal, or lack of, hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials, on top of the rampant sexually transmitted diseases. We see lives torn apart and harsh justice laid down onto the land. We see fertility become the weight for the worth of women, and we see infertility of men become an oxymoronic term in this society. We see the mindset of the government resort back to that of the sixteenth century.
Knowledge and education are freedoms we take for granted. What would be a good symbol of these freedoms? Schools, yes of course. But in the society of Gilead, this symbolizes something else. In the case of Harvard University, the school stands for indoctrination and fallacy. Executions are taken place constantly at the former college, showing the death of publicly expressed knowledge. However, education is quite possible from what happens at Harvard. Those who know of the wickedness committed in the distorted name of God are educated into the understanding of the evils surrounding them.
Yet again, however, Gilead is not the sole transgressor in this situation. Blame should be given equally to the continued irresponsible dumping of hazardous materials by the former United States government, as well as the rampant sexual actions of the society. The old USA allowing hazardous waste to be dumped carelessly into sewers and other unsafe locations, and the actions of the society did not only open the door for the Gilead regime, but kicked it off the hinges and turned it into a sign, saying “Please overthrow us and turn this nation into an unbearable land of prejudice and evil!”
Gilead views its actions as justice, much like every other nation; but what is justice? Justice is nothing more than a euphemism for revenge. The authorities of Gilead, believing in the distorted message derived from Christianity, feel justified in their actions, while in all honesty, they are taking revenge on others for a multitude of personal reasons. While some may disagree that justice is revenge, answer to yourself this; if a man mugs and murders your most beloved family member, and you are the decider of his fate of life in prison or death, what would you do? No doubt the emotional trauma would affect your judgment, but many people wish the man death. Why is this? They say it is justice, they claim it to be fair, but no. The truth is that fairness does not exist, and so in order to make themselves feel better, they take revenge on the one who transgressed. This distorted justice is the same that rains from the reign of Gilead, only here to fit a political agenda.
In a world of low fertility, would you not rationally view both men and women as capable of infertility? Unfortunately for women, Gilead is not rational. Gilead views only women as capable of infertility, like the minds of the men of the old world. Men are superior; they are incapable of being unable to bear children. For lack of a less crude situation, a crude statement is given: bull crap! If a man can be castrated and rendered infertile, then a man can be affected by other outside forces such as chemicals and radiation to render him infertile, just as the women can be. The incredibly stupid beliefs of Gilead cost it even more for the sake of its male dominant society, and the apparent necessity to oppress women.
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