In Class Essay - The Handmaids Tale

Introduction

1. My thesis

2. Everyone around Offred projects onto her (baby machine etc)

3. 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

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

Paragraph 1: mirror quote

1. Point: Offred sees herself in Ofglen.

2. Quote

3. “Reflection” suggests similarity, they share the same role

4. “Moving away” suggests Offred wants distance from that similarity

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

6. Her distrust of Ofglen reveals her uncertainty about herself.

Paragraph 2: resentment quote

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

2. Quote

3. 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

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

5. She is conflicted about obedience and survival

6. Transference: Her resentment towards Ofglen reveals her resentment of Gilead

Conclusion

1. Restate main idea: Offreds feelings about Ofglen reveal the uncertainty she feels about herself

2. Bring the quotes together: talk about both

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

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