Identity

Identity as Control in GileadIdentity Loss: Fundamental aspect of Gilead's control, primarily targeting women and Handmaids. Stripping identity leads to loss of individuality and dehumanization, showcased through quotes. For example, Offred’s reflection, "I am accompanied by a body." highlights her detachment from her own self, representing her as more of an object than a person.Internal struggle for Offred: While she regains some identity aspects—like memories of her past life—she simultaneously becomes resigned to being a Handmaid, illustrated by her thought, "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum", a Latin phrase that becomes a mantra of resistance for her, emphasizing the inner conflict between subservience and rebellion.Understanding IdentityDefinition: Identity shapes our sense of self through values, relationships, and affiliations.Social Identity Theory (Henri Tajfel): Explores how relationships shape identity; groups initiate in-group versus out-group mentalities, often leading to oppression and severe consequences such as genocide. Offred's conditions exemplify this as Gilead crafts an identity that segregates women into rigid categories.

Identity in "The Handmaid’s Tale"Policies Against Women: Gilead enacts measures aimed at obliterating women's individuality. They lose jobs, access to money, family ties, and reproductive healthcare. Individuals are diminished to societal roles (e.g., Handmaid, Wife); for instance, Offred is dehumanized, described as a “two-legged womb.”Name Significance: Handmaids are stripped of their real names, taking on names reflecting possession (e.g., Offred = "Of Fred"). This loss is illustrated through Offred's lamentation over her name, "I used to be a person", symbolizing the complete erosion of individual identity and worth under Gilead's regime.

The Emotional Toll of Identity LossStripped Identity: Affects the emotional and psychological well-being of Offred. She craves to be acknowledged by her name, seeking validation beyond her fertility. This tension is reflected in her measurement of self-worth solely through reproduction, as she states, "I am not a person, I am a vessel."

Recognition of Self: Offred's past self is vital for her identity, as seen in her longing for past relationships and life. Her memories serve as acts of defiance against Gilead's dehumanization. An example is when she recollects the love she shared with Luke; these memories form an intrinsic part of her resistance against the regime's imposed identity.

Relationships and MemoriesMemory of Relationships: Vital for retaining personal identity. Offred experiences language shifts indicating separations from family (e.g., referring to loved ones in past tense). The emotional resonance of these memories underlines the stark contrast between her past identity and present reality. Gilead’s indoctrination creates a chasm from the past, reinforced when she says, "I remember when..." marking the before and after of her life.Imagery of Fading: Offred describes herself as "smoke" and "mirage," which symbolize her fading identity and the ephemeral nature of her existence in Gilead. Connections to loved ones becoming ghostly memories intensify her sense of loss, as she mourns, "everything I once was is ash."

Intersection of Friendship and IdentityFriendships Among Handmaids: The prohibition of forging new ties exacerbates identity loss. Offred’s realization of a new Ofglen highlights the rapid replacement of individuals, reflecting Gilead's totalitarian control. This cycle underscores the Handmaids' existence reduced solely to reproductive roles, responsible for perpetuating Gilead's system.

Clothing and Self-ExpressionUniforms: Red dresses and white bonnets become symbols of the Handmaids' identities, reinforcing their dehumanization. Handmaids’ attire limits individual expression and ties them strictly to their functions as procreators. Offred's reflections on her past clothing choices signal freedom, contrasting with her current restrictions as she states, "I used to wear what I wanted," indicating lost autonomy.

Space and IdentityPersonal Space: Lack of personal spaces inhibits self-exploration. Offred's initial refusal to claim her room is indicative of her resistance to being defined as a Handmaid. When she finally claims the room, it signals resignation to her role, expressed when she thinks, "This is where I am now, and it must be enough."

Activities and HobbiesRestricted Activities: Handmaids are denied hobbies that foster identity and belonging—only allowed birthing techniques. Offred subtly compares her existence to being animal-like, emphasizing the total loss of personhood with, "we've become like cattle."

Physical Self and BodyBody as Identity: Handmaids are valued solely for reproduction, and Offred feels detached from her personhood. She uses imagery of clouds and shapelessness to articulate identity loss, as noted when she reflects, "I feel like a ghost in my own body."Final Resignation: Offred acknowledges the necessity of giving up her body to survive, emphasizing the tragic dichotomy between nurturing life and maintaining one's identity. In a poignant moment she states, "To survive is not to live, but to give up everything else."

ConclusionOffred's journey exemplifies the complexities of identity under oppressive regimes. Despite the potential for reclaiming her identity, the ever-looming vulnerability prevails within totalitarian societies.