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THE HANDMAID’S TALE – Margaret Atwood Answer all of the questions - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2020
Question 1
THE HANDMAID’S TALE – Margaret Atwood Answer all of the questions. (a) Identify and describe a relationship between two characters in Margaret Atwood’s novel, The ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:THE HANDMAID’S TALE – Margaret Atwood Answer all of the questions - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2020
Step 1
Identify and describe a relationship between two characters in Margaret Atwood’s novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, in which conflict or tension is evident.
Answer
In Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, a significant relationship characterized by conflict is between Offred and Aunt Lydia. Offred, as a Handmaid, is subjugated under the totalitarian regime that Aunt Lydia serves. Aunt Lydia often embodies the oppressive nature of the Gilead regime, using her status to manipulate and control the Handmaids. This relationship is fraught with tension as Offred navigates her desire for autonomy against Aunt Lydia's attempts to enforce loyalty to Gilead's rules.
Step 2
Identify an episode or incident from the text which demonstrates the conflict or tension that arises in this relationship, and explain why you think this episode or incident is a good choice to demonstrate this aspect of the relationship.
Answer
A pivotal episode occurs during the training sessions at the Red Center, where Aunt Lydia indoctrinates the Handmaids with slogans that enforce their subservience. During these sessions, Aunt Lydia uses a combination of manipulation and fear, stating, 'Blessed are the meek,' to suppress any rebellious feelings. This incident effectively showcases the conflict, as it highlights Offred's internal struggle between compliance and her yearning for freedom, making it an exemplary moment of the tension in their relationship.
Step 3
Explain whether, in your opinion, the conflict or tension in the relationship you identified above was or was not successfully resolved. Support your answer with reference to the text.
Answer
In my opinion, the conflict between Offred and Aunt Lydia remains unresolved throughout the novel. Offred’s ultimate fate is left ambiguous, symbolizing her continuous struggle against the oppressive system Aunt Lydia represents. Despite fleeting moments of rebellion, Offred's internal conflict reflects that the tension remains a persistent aspect of her life, leading to a sense of hopelessness rather than resolution.