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The nature of Offred’s lost identity is very drastic. Before the new
religious group of Gilead took over the world she was a very normal every day
woman. She did what was expected of her time and continued to do so after the
take over. She had a husband and a daughter who she loved very much. But the new
society which she lives in love is not permitted. If I thought that this would
happen again I would die. But this is wrong, nobody dies from lack of sex. It’s
lack of love we die from. There’s nobody here I can love, all the people I could
love are dead or elsewhere . Offred also had the choice of free will before her
civilization changed. But then slowly women began to lose all of their rights
and were no longer allowed to have jobs or even to use money, Sorry, he said.
This number is not valid. That’s ridiculous, I said. It must be, I’ve got
thousands in my account. It’s not valid, he repeated obstinately. See that red
light? Means it’s not valid,(p.164). In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to.
Now you are being given freedom from (p.24). Social class was not a racial
matter before the take over; and each individual was treated equally. However,
slowly people of high social groups became much more powerful. They were chosen
as Commander’s and the poorer individual’s went to the Colonies; which were
farming communities. Young woman were screened, and the one’s with viable
ovaries were used as Handmaid’s; and became bedridden slaves. These Handmaid’s
had children for the infertile Commander’s wives. They would be sent away to
special schools where they were taught how to give birth; and also to obey their
masters without question. You can always practice, said Aunt Lydia. Several
sessions a day, fitted into your daily routine. Arms at the sides, knees bent,
lift the pelvis, roll the backbone down. Tuck. Again. Breathe in to the count of
five, hold, expel (p.66). The woman’s lives were controlled by this society; and
were taught to forget the society which they once lived. Things that once were,
no longer existed. The circumstances which led to the lost identity of Offred
happened very abruptly. The first sign of change in her society was when her
Constitution was suspended. It was said that it would only be temporary, but
that was not the truth. People had no idea what to do; and looked anywhere for
some kind of guidance. Eventually newspapers and television became very
censored, for what was said to be security reasons. Then came the roadblocks,
and Identipasses which were greatly approved by society, The road blocks began
to appear, and Identipasses. Everyone approved of that, since it was obvious
that you couldn’t be too careful(p.163). No one tried to fight the changes
because they did not understand what was occurring, There wasn’t even any
rioting in the streets. People stayed home at night, watching television,
looking for some direction (p.163). There were rumors that new elections were to
take place, for the new Constitution.
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