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"We lived, as usual, by ignoring. Ignoring isn't the same as ignorance, you have to work at it." (Atwood, 63)

Themes of Normalcy are displayed in Offreds account of her circumstances. She is determined to not accept the new customs and to not forget her memories of the past world. The quote is reflecting on her and Moira's carefree friendship in college, analyzing how that would be an absurd situation currently. Offred discusses how everyone was ignorant and allowed the new government to take power without resistance. She shows the danger in such action as well.

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The colour red is used to mock the purpose of women in the new society. Offred says "Everything except the wings around my face are red: the colour of blood, which defines us." (Atwood, 85) Red signifies the woman's role to solely reproduce and provide their bodies to the rest of society. Blood also ties into the violence and control exerted in order to keep women in such submission.

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The previous handmaid before Offred is a symbol for rebellion, displayed in her actions. For instance, the reason Offred was positioned there was because the other handmaid had dramatically hanged herself from the chandelier. She also carves a message in the closet saying "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum" (Atwood, 214) Which translates from Latin to English that states "don't let the bastards grind you down. The handmaid's actions motivate Offred to keep going and to find hope in the oppression.

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The Wives of commanders all dress in a uniform of white and blue to display innocence. The colours symbolise ideas of purity and power, yet the innocence is ironic. Even though the Wives themselves are pure, they still support the oppression against other women, shown through the contrast of red against white. Here is an instance that displays their uniform. Offred observes, "Serena Joy is sitting, in her chair, beneath the willow tree, knuckled, arthritic hands folded in her lap. She is wearing a dress that is sky blue..." (Atwood, 48)

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A simile is used to compare Offred's experience in losing her daughter to a window on a card. She compares such a negative and daunting memory to something safe, like Christmas, in order to show her hope. Atwood describes "...and the edges go dark and nothing is left but a window, a very little window ... like a window on a Christmas card." (Atwood, 86) Offred is saying that even in this dark experience of her daughter being taken away from her, she is still hopeful that she will see her again.

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The meaning of flowers transitions from fresh, hopeful blooms of spring "... but also, heat rises, from the flowers themselves, you can feel it:" (Atwood, 176) As the story progresses, and the climax is reached, the hope dies out, "Today there are different flowers, drier, more defined" (Atwood, 311) The meaning becomes more dark and ridged as the values of society are set in place. By the end of the novel, more people blindly follow the new customs, leaving no space for return to freedom.

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To what extent will individuals resist oppression forced on their individuality and circumstances?

When an individual is forced into oppressive circumstances, they will transition into fight or flight, either rejecting or embracing the new ideas. In The Handmaids Tale, Margret Atwood discusses one's reaction to a complete overturn of their familiar world. The protagonist, Offred, narrates her experience with the new totalitarian dictatorship that suppresses women. The new government has taken over the United States and enforced a new social structure that gradually becomes accepted. Offred specifically is to be a designated Handmaid, her sole purpose being to reproduce. These Handmaids are required since the general fertility rate has declined as a result of radiation from war. Atwood discusses the woman's journey with being robbed of their power and influence, a commentary on modern day liberalism.

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Daytime in The Handmaids Tale represents order and the controlled life that people lead under government surveillance. At nighttime however, individuals begin to rebel and reclaim parts of their identity. During the night Offred does majority of her private thought and recount of the past. For instance, Offred declares " The night is mine, my own time, to do with as I will, as long as I am quiet." (Atwood 41)

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When an individual is forced into restrictive gender roles, they lose their identity and autonomy.

Atwood's portrayal of traditional roles in the Gilead society parallels modern day roles, just more extremely. The Handmaid's Tale, serves as a warning from the author of what society has the potential to turn in to. A place where women are demeaned and only serve reproductive and entertainment purposes. With the women being robbed of their freedom and individuality, the world no longer has any moral structure. By dehumanizing the women, they form secret groups in order to remember the past and overthrow the future.

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When an individual is confined to a hierarchy, the result is a society built on oppression and fear.

In the book, everyone is confined to a role in society, including the men. Everyone has a job to do that guarantees order and suppresses opposition. With the women being at the bottom, not considered human, they oppose the men who run everything. Even though order appears on the outside, a hierarchical society only creates instability.

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When an individual clings on to hope they find resilience that allows them to endure their circumstances.

Offred's ability to tolerate her conditions is based off her hope towards her family. Even when freedom of choice is taken away, individuals still have the ability to preserve themselves and their memories. Atwood highlights the human capacity to find strength in dark times.

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When people are introduced gradually into oppressive circumstances, they will become desensitized to injustice.

After the new government takes over, propaganda is used to convince people that new restrictions are for the collective good. People allowing injustice to take over in a authoritarian government is not abnormal in the modern world. Therefore, such themes are introduced to show the reader the dangers of moral awareness.

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Offred, the protagonist of The Handmaids Tale is a dynamic and round character shaped by her past and new life as a reproductive vessel. She speaks as a narrator for all Handmaids during her time, giving them a voice about their dehumanising circumstances. She initially appears obedient, which is an act of self preservation, yet as the story progresses she becomes more resistant. In the beginning, Offred makes a priority of regularity accounting the past in order to not forget the previous world. She believes that ignorance and letting the new rules turn to normalcy is the hamartia of most. Towards the end of the novel where she becomes more rebellious by seeing Nick and the Commander, she warns her viewers that she is not proud of her rash actions. Offred is very aware and calculated, both with herself, and others. One of Offreds biggest challenges is to overcome the fear instilled by the government in order to maintain her identity. If she wants to have hope regarding her friends in family, she must take risks that could compromise her own self. Next, her archetype could be described as the hero since she consistently peruses self growth. She takes opportunities to rebel against the new customs and never conforms to the new ideology. Offred is motivated by her relationships of the past, being both a wife and mother she had preexisting roles that provided here with a sense of purpose. In conclusion, Offred is a complex character on a mission for personal freedom.

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Moira serves as a stark contrast to Offred, embracing the archetype of The Rebel. Her fierce defiance against the new government is only more intense than her feminist values back in the previous world. Her bold escape attempts from when the handmaids were in training directly show her willingness to confront injustice. Moira is more upfront about her beliefs, not caring what conflict they will get her into. The approach is unlike Offred, who tends to calculate her actions more so and generally appears more passive. Moira is determined to not become completely broken by system, maintaining agency even when she is forced into prostitution, her largest challange. The club she is unwillingly put into exploits women for their bodies without considering the affects. Moira must maintain her self worth and identity during such profiteering. Her philosophy emphasises fighting against injustice, even when consequences are likely. Ultimately, her character serves both as a beacon of hope and a cautionary tale of what could be for those who resist in an authoritarian government.

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Fred, in a way, is a contradictory character since his main role contrasts his needs. On one hand, Fred is the epitome of power. As a commander he is the leader of Offreds household, a powerful influence in government, and a privileged oppressor. He believes that the new ways of society are correct, enforcing the patriarchal values that women are meant to reproduce, and men are meant to lead. On the other hand, Fred faces an inner struggle and a need for connection. He asks Offered to come to his office when summoned to play scrabble and kiss him once goodbye in the end. At the core, Fred is a vulnerable fragment of a human who desires the same relationships as others. He shows insecurity in his masculinity and powerful role by seeking validation through Offred. Specifically at the prostitution club where he shows her off to other commanders. The new values of society lead Fred to believing that his actions are rational, yet he can not seem to recognise why he does not feel truly fulfilled. He most aligns with the archetype 'The Ruler' since even though he holds personal struggles, he still embraces the oppression against women all throughout the novel.

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"Noise is coming up, coming out, out of the broken place, in my face" (Atwood, 169)

The quote is said by Offred directly after she goes to see the commander for the first time. Any private affairs are directly forbidden, so him summoning her was a circumstance she never expected. During their time, he seemed to only want to play board games and in the end, a kiss. When Offred was back in her room, she started to laugh at the absurd experience. Her life has been so dull that she forgot what laughter feels like. When her freedom was taken away so were many emotions, such as joy and humor.

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"That's one of the things they do. They force you to kill, within yourself" (Atwood 223)

The theme of Gender Roles is displayed in the context of this quote. Offred sadly recognizes these words after she recounts the prior actions to her and her husband's attempt at escape. They must not leave their cat behind in case it raises suspicion, therefore Luke, the husband goes out to kill it. In the quote, Offred is reflecting on everything the government took away when enforcing the new laws regarding women. Her revelation here is that not only is her personal freedom being taken away, but her relationships with both the cat, and Luke.

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When an individual challenges oppression, it will lead to a transformation of self, ultimately resulting in a display of strength and hope. In Margret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, the author explores individuals reaction to oppression forced onto their identity and their response. Atwood comments on modern day governing, saying that its limitations put on woman are unjust and an uprising is bound to occur. The characters in her novel, specifically Offred, experience a transformation of self when adapting and resisting their new circumstances. When Offred loses her autonomy, she must do what is in her power to maintain fragments of her past life and not let the new rules become normalised. Atwood suggests that although oppression is discouraging and restricting, it can also spark a range of rebellion. From Offred's passive recount, to full on violet resistance, people are bound to change and persevere. Throughout the novel, Atwood displays the importance of resistance in the face of oppression in order to preserve an individuals identity.

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Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. McClelland & Stewart, 2011.