The Handmaid's Tale: The Role of Clothing
In The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood skilfully employs clothing as a powerful literary tool to portray the limitations on women's autonomy in Gilead. The red uniform of the Handmaids transcends its material nature, becoming a symbol that depicts the constricted freedom of women in this dystopian society. This essay will delve into Atwood's use of literary devices to articulate the restrictions on women's independence, with clothing serving as a visual representation of the systematic control over female autonomy in the religious theocracy of Gilead. At its core, Atwood's commentary on clothing serves as a lens through which the reader can comprehend the intricacies of societal oppression, shedding light on the social commentary stitched into the crimson fabric worn by the Handmaids of Gilead.
In Gilead, attire takes on a pivotal role as a literary device through which Atwood illustrates the totalitarian regime's control over women's bodies and identities. The uniformity of the Handmaids' red garments and the white bonnets serves as an impactful visual metaphor for the eradication of female individuality and reproductive freedom in this dystopian society. In the protagonist Offred's observation, “Everything except the wings around my face is red: the color of blood, which defines us” (23) the reader witnesses the deliberate creation of this stark contrast, emphasizing the uniform as a tool to enforce subjugation in Gilead.
Moreover, Atwood employs clothing to symbolize the intricate power dynamics between different social classes. The Wives of Commanders, draped in authoritative blue, become embodiments of the regime's upper class. Atwood's descriptions bring this to life, as she writes, “A number of the Wives are already seated, in their best embroidered blue. We can feel their eyes on us as we walk in our red dresses two by two across to the side opposite them. We are being looked at, assessed, whispered about; we can feel it, like tiny ants running on our bare skins” (187). The blue of the Wives’ clothing becomes an indication of a freedom and power that is out of reach for the Handmaids; something they both envy and fear. “her long powder-blue robe, unmistakeable” (28) is further evidence of the indispensable role of clothing in Gilead. The fact that a mere blue robe says so much about one’s status is an indication of how distinct the levels of social hierarchy are made to be in Gilead, and belittles the power of the Handmaids wearing red. Through these quotes, Atwood masterfully paints a vivid picture of the social power system in Gilead through the lens of clothing.
On the other hand, the red uniforms worn by the Handmaids become a stark symbol of their reduced status. Offred explicitly states throughout the novel that her clothing defines her in Gilead, and that her whole identity revolves around her societal function as a Handmaid. The literary use of color as symbolism reinforces the Handmaids' societal devaluation, highlighting their reduced identity to reproductive tools in the dystopian society. The crimson attire not only serves as a uniform but also veils individual identities, rendering the women nearly indistinguishable from one another. In the narrative, Offred recounts her initial encounter with another Handmaid, Ofglen, describing her as "a shape, red with white wings around the face, a shape like mine, a nondescript woman in red carrying a basket" ( 25). Through this depiction, Offred underscores the absence of identity amongst the Handmaids.
Ofglen, referred to as "nondescript" and possessing "a shape like mine," accentuates the dehumanization of Handmaids which contributes to the theme of loss of identity in The Handmaid’s Tale.
The initial loss of identity occurs when their names are replaced with derivatives of their commanders' names, such as Ofwarren, Ofglen, and Offred. However, a second layer of identity erosion takes place through their mandated red uniforms. Instead of allowing for individual expression, the Handmaids are draped in red fabric, forming a group that is isolated from the rest of society. In "We must look good from a distance—like Dutch milkmaids on wallpaper or any pattern with minimum grace and uniformity. It's meant to be soothing to the eyes; that's who this show is for" (186), Offred suggests that the government wants all the Handmaids, including herself, to appear the same. There is no room for differences or individual identity within this category, as shown by the identical red-clad women walking together. It seems likely that the Eyes and Commanders in charge want this sameness among Handmaids to symbolize their power. The identical women in neat groups represent the desire for strict order in Gilead. Any deviation from this uniformity would be seen as a weakness in the system. Therefore, it's crucial for Gilead's officials to maintain this uniformity to confirm their positions of power.
In unraveling the layers of literary devices within The Handmaid's Tale, it becomes apparent that clothing goes far beyond its utilitarian function and becomes a prominent theme in Atwood's narrative. Symbolism, vivid diction, and carefully chosen quotes collectively establish clothing as a literary tool, offering readers with a unique lens through which to perceive the religious theocracy of Gilead, social hierarchies, and acts of rebellion in the society. Atwood's skilful usage of literary devices transforms clothing into a narrative element, inviting readers to explore the complexities of power and resistance. Atwood therefore successfully writes The Handmaid's Tale as an exploration of the limitations of female autonomy and reproductive freedom, disseminating a powerful message about modern society.
