THT - Class AO1+AO2

thesis of class

• In Gilead, citizens are defined by their social class. Each class is delegated specific societal roles, and these roles have implications for how specific people can participate in society.

• The novel can be read through a Marxist lens; the Handmaids symbolise the proletariat, subjugated by the bourgeoisie to the point of slavery, harshly indoctrinated [...] and are denied basic freedoms; the Marthas, Jezebels, Econopeople and people who work in the Colonies can also be deemed proletariat.

• The bourgeoisie would be Commanders, Wives, and Angels. However, Marx's theory doesn't account for roles such as Eyes, Guardians, and Aunts, who have some social power, but not as much influenceas the higher classes (bourgeoisie) while simultaneously not being as exploited as the lower classes (proletariat).

• In other words, there are certain instances where Marx's theory can be used to analyse class in The Handmaid's Tale, but it does not accurately describe the entire social structure.

How can Weber's theory of social class be attributed to the Handmaid's Tale?

• Weber expanded his theory to encompass more complex social structures; to him, a person could lack economic power/wealth but still have high status.

• Weber's theory of class seems to fit the more nuanced social roles in The Handmaid's Tale better than a Marxist philosophy.

• For example, those who are the highest social class (Commanders, Wives, and Angels) have wealth, status, and power, while the middle classes (Aunts, Guardians, Eyes) may not have wealth, but they have status and power, albeit to a lesser degree than the higher class. The lower classes (Handmaids, Marthas, Jezebel's, etc.), however, have neither wealth, status, nor power.

Quotes to exemplify the position Handmaids (proletariat)

• "Yours is a position of honour" (C3); "You are spoiled girls" (C15); " I am a reproach to her, and a necessity" (C3); they are the most essential class; should they rebel, unite and assume control over their sexuality, then they could re-shape society entirely.

• HOWEVER, they are consistently dehumanised and abused: they are not able to form friendships (like the Marthas) have hobbies (like Serena) or their own possessions; they are also not allowed to read/gain information. Their worth is entirely based upon their reproductive abilities (examine in the context of identity loss).

• Note that they are not able to advance their position and become a Wife (C34), because such power is deemed 'too dangerous', and they are often threatened with "reclassification [as] an Unwoman" (C23) should they break the rules.
  

• "But the frown isn't personal: it's the red dress she disapproves of, and what it stands for" (C2)

• "Everything except the wings around my face is red: the colour of blood, which defines us" (C2)

• "We can be read to, from it, by him, but we cannot read" (C15)

• "We are two-legged wombs, that's all: sacred vessels, ambulatory chalices" (C23)

• "I'm a cloud, congealed around a central object" (C13)

• "Remember, said Aunt Lydia. For our purposes your feet and your hands are not essential" (C15)

• "I have failed to fulfil the expectations of others, which have become my own" (C13) (PROLETARIAT)

Quotes to exemplify the position of the Commander

• The Commanders are the most powerful people and make up the highest class in Gilead. Since Gilead is a patriarchy, the Commanders are in charge of not just their household, but also have a say in the society around them.

• The Commander's higher class permits him to certain luxuries; makes him believe he can act how he wishes (examine in the context of his relations with Offred).

• "in the houses of the Commanders there is still real coffee" (C2)

• "Tell them fresh, for the eggs,' she says. 'Not like that time. And a chicken, tell them, not a hen. Tell them who it's for and then they won't mess around" (C2).

• "There's no doubt about who holds the real power" (C23)

• "I envy the Commander his pens. It's one more thing I would like to steal" (C29)

• "He is demonstrating to me, his mastery of the world. He's breaking the rules, under their noses, thumbing his nose at them, getting away with it" (C37)

Quotes to exemplify the position of the Wives

• The Wives of Commanders - or just Wives - also have considerable power and influence, but are not as powerful as their husbands, simply because they are women.

• Due to their social class, they're also allowed certain privileges and luxuries that are not allowed by the lower classes: they can ride in cars instead of walk (C5); they can drink coffee, tea, and wine (C20).

• "Serena Joy will shortly enthrone herself...Possibly she'll put a hand on my shoulder, to steady herself, as if I'm a piece of furniture" (C14)

• "No benches for them, they get real seats, upholstery. They face front and are not curtained off. They know where they're going" (C19)

• "It's ladies, not girls, because of the wives" (C34)

Quotes to exemplify Quotes the position of Marthas

• "There's a network of the Marthas, then, with something in it for them" (C35).

• They are viewed as lower class because they serve the higher ranking people in society, but, compared to the Handmaids, the Marthas are allowed certain freedoms such as baking, cooking, and socialising (C2): "The Marthas know things, they talk among themselves, passing the unofficial news from house to house".

• They are also not subjected to the same horrific treatment and abuse as the Handmaids.

Quotes to exemplify the position of the Jezebels

• Only Commanders and their guests are able to access these women; thus, they are status symbols.

• They are able to have certain privileges that usually are forbidden e.g. they can wear make-up; drink alcohol, socialise with men, and engage in lesbian relationships (C38).

• Yet this freedom comes at a cost, as after a certain amount of time, they are sent to the Colonies or otherwise discarded: "Know what they call this place among themselves? Jezebel's. The Aunts figure we're all damned anyway, they've given up on us, so it doesn't matter what sort of vice we get up to" (C38).

• Plus, they are socially disdained, especially by the Aunts.

Quotes to exemplify the position of the Aunts

• They have the power to teach Gilead's ideals.

• They are the only women in Gilead who are allowed to read and write.

• They are allowed to use violence: "cattle prods" (C1)

• Interestingly, the Aunts' power is dictated at the hands of men, and can therefore be deemed a mockery of independence: while they gain status and power in society, they are not as powerful or influential as the higher ranking men and women. Aunts are a class of older women who are responsible for indoctrinating Handmaids and enforcing Gilead's rules.
  

• In the epilogue, the Aunts' background is explained further: "Childless or infertile older women who were not married could take service in the Aunts and thereby escape redundancy, and consequent shipment to the infamous Colonies" (Epilogue)

• Thus, Gilead does not value "older" or "infertile" women.

• Because these women are viewed as disposable, they're often shipped to the Colonies.

• Essentially, they only have power/status because they are serving the patriarchy; if they did not fulfil this role then they would be ostracised in the Colonies, the 'other'; this lack of choice is alluded to in C10: "Don't think it's easy for me either"