In Class Essay (easier) - The Handmaids Tale

Introduction

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My thesis

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Everyone around Offred projects onto her (baby machine etc)

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Her identity has been erased so she projects the feelings she has about herself (disgust, uncertainty etc) onto others that she views as similar, or reminds her of herself

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Lens: How through a psychoanalytic lens Offred projects those feelings about herself onto Ofglen

Paragraph 1: mirror quote

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Point: Offred sees herself in Ofglen

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Quote

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“Reflection” suggests similarity, they share the same role

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“Moving away” suggests Offred wants distance from that similarity

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Connection to lens: Offred projects her own shame/fear about her identity onto someone who reminds her of herself without admitting it to herself

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Her distrust of Ofglen reveals her uncertainty about herself

Paragraph 2: resentment quote

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Point: Offred’s resentment of Ofglen’s meekness reveals her own frustration

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Quote

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The repetition of “I resent” makes it sound more intense. “Meek” suggests quiet obedience, while the “heavy wind” suggests pressure or hardship for them both

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Her anger about Gilead’s demands get directed at Ofglen (transference). Offred resents seeing the behaviour she also has to perform to survive

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She is conflicted about obedience and survival

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Transference: Her resentment towards Ofglen reveals her resentment of Gilead

Conclusion

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Restate main idea: Offred’s feelings about Ofglen reveal the uncertainty she feels about herself

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bring the quotes together: talk about both

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Lens: Offred projects her own shame/disgust/uncertainty onto Ofglen

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Ending: Gilead’s erasure of identity affects how they see themselves and other handmaids