The Body as a Political Tool

The Handmaid's Tale

How Gilead uses women's bodies for reproduction, control, and punishment.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Reproductive Control Reproductive Control from "The Handmaid's Tale". Reproductive Control The Handmaid System Women are reduced to two-legged wombs. They are assigned to Commanders for breeding.

Reproductive Control from "The Handmaid's Tale". Reproductive Control The Handmaid System Women are reduced to two-legged wombs. They are assigned to Commanders for breeding.

Reproductive Control The Handmaid System Women are reduced to two-legged wombs. They are assigned to Commanders for breeding. Their bodies are national resources. The Ceremony The sexual act is a duty, devoid of pleasure. Offred lies still, thinking of England. Her body is not her own. The Medical Exams Monthly exams check for fertility. The doctor offers to impregnate her illegally. Her body is a site of negotiation.

Punishment and Display Punishment and Display from "The Handmaid's Tale". Punishment and Display The Wall Bodies hang on the Wall as warnings. They are displayed for all to see. The body is a spectacle.

Punishment and Display from "The Handmaid's Tale". Punishment and Display The Wall Bodies hang on the Wall as warnings. They are displayed for all to see. The body is a spectacle.

Punishment and Display The Wall Bodies hang on the Wall as warnings. They are displayed for all to see. The body is a spectacle. The Salvaging Women are hanged publicly. The Particicution allows Handmaids to tear a man apart. The body is a weapon. The Tattoo Offred's ankle tattoo marks her as property. Her body is branded. She cannot escape her identity.

throughout the narrative