‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ created by author Margaret Atwood is a story that describes a gloomy alternate history where due to the introduction of radical religious beliefs, sexism and control is part of every woman’s daily life. At first this seems different from the reality we know today. However when looking closer, it can be seen that ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ is constantly alluding to the negative aspects of modern society and its past. Particularly the control of women, where the similarities between Gilead’s reality and the reality we experience ourselves is obvious and somewhat unnerving.

Throughout the text Atwood includes a consistent use of biblical allusions, which can be seen in the way people speak  and the names of places and events that are occurring around The main character Offred. Many of these allusions hint to sections of the Bible and other Christian texts where women are undermined or controlled by others.

Gilead is controlled by the radical christian  group; ‘The sons of Jacob’ whose name refers to the biblical character of Jacob and his wife who is unable to conceive, so his wife uses her maid to bear their children instead. A line from this tale is recounted by the Commander on the day of “The Ceremony”; “And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.” Atwood uses this quote to show the similarity of Offred’s situation to the biblical tale just read, particularly the line “give me children or else I die” because indeed if Offred does not bear the Commander children she will be sent to the radioactive colonies to die. This allusion to an actual story in the bible indicates to the reader that the ‘The sons of Jacob’ support the idea of women being used against their will for conception and used the fact that it was mentioned in the Bible as an excuse to make it an aspect of the new America they create. This demonstrates how blown out of proportion certain stories in the bible became in Gilead. As a result of this and in order to benefit the sick intentions of the people in control, Offred is forced to be a sex slave to the Commander so she can birth children for him and his wife.

Atwoods use of a twisted Biblical story in an even more twisted ceremony shows the reader how men in power can manipulate any sort of information to control women. Furthermore Atwood’s use of this particular quote hints to the fact that using the Biblical tales as an excuse for terrible things is not something new. An example would be its use by men for thousands of years to allow the ownership of women as if they were objects, something that still hasn’t changed in some countries.

The Commander also uses biblical references to oppress and control the handmaids, notably during one of the many “prayvaganzas” that occur in Gilead. The Handmaids are forced to sit in front of the commander while he recites sections of christian texts that damn their freedom and independence; “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve.”

Atwood uses this sexist quote to show how The Bible is being used by the republic of Gilead to brainwash the handmaid’s into believing that the situation they are in is acceptable, ensuring they do not resist. On a deeper level  This also alludes to the things we may notice in society today. For as soon a girl or boy is born they are shaped by their environment and the information that is shown to them. For example Blue is a boys colour, pink is for girls. This extends to how women dress where skirt length and  piercings always seem controversial. Atwoods show us that the difference is that we are governed by social constructs, while Offred’s covered up dress code is governed by violent and forceful authority. Atwood shows us that no matter what the story, women are in some way shaped by what society expects them to be. And in the case of Offred, what the religious views of Gilead demand from her.

One of the key aspects of Gilead’s success as a authoritarian regime is the control of its occupants freedom of speech, particularly that of the Handmaid’s who are unable to write or read any content except the propaganda that is provided to them;. “Tell, rather than write, because I have nothing left to write with and writing is in any case forbidden.” Atwoods uses this line to allow readers remember all the times this has happened in our society and how it is still happening today. In Saudi arabia, women have only just been allowed to drive and are still not allowed to talk in public without the permission of their husbands, Atwood reminds us that the backwards way of thinking that is seen the handmaid’s tale is not something that happened in the past, it is something that is still happening now.

This can be backed up by Aunt Lydia’s use of the phrase “Pen is envy” Atwood uses this line to show readers how the Handmaid’s freedom of speech is being controlled and hints to how envious they are of their male counterparts ability to free speech. “Pen is envy” is Atwoods alteration of a theory on sexual attraction called “Penis envy” created by male scientists in the early 20th century. Essentially stating the men are the morally superior gender as women do not have a penis and are therefore jealous. This allusion to a blatantly sexist theory shows the reader that the handmaids are experiencing a type of control similar to the theory of “Penis envy”, they are deemed as morally inferior by the controlling men and are indeed jealous, not of the men but what they are able to do. Specifically their ability to say as they like and do as they please. The theory of Penis envy is in itself a mockery of the control of women’s rights as it was entirely developed without input from women. Penis envy is still occasionally heard of in society today and it makes the reader think if that would be different if women felt free to speak earlier.

Overall it seems that showing the reader the similarities between Offred’s story and the stories of many women around the globe today is a key reason for Margaret Atwood to write this book. Although the Handmaids tale seems so different at face value. When looking closer it can be seen that the scenario Offred is in is not only possible but the reality of some people’s lives.