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Essay / Moira's Role in 'The Handmaid's Tale'
Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was the United States. This regime treats women as state property and faces environmental disasters and a plummeting birth rate. In a desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world, the few remaining fertile women are forced into sexual servitude. One of these women, Moira, is determined to survive and fight against the terrifying world in which she lives. In the story, Moira is a unique character whose courage, determination, strong beliefs and keen political awareness allow her to play a leading role throughout the world. the whole story. In the story, handmaids like Moira are a symbol of the proletariat dominated by the capitalist class to the point of slavery and deprived of freedom, but Moira is the only person who has strong convictions to change this situation, or in other ways. others. In other words, Moira is an extremely courageous person who dares to lead the class struggle. Thus, from a sociological perspective, Moira can be examined through the theory of Marxism which has its origins in the works of 19th century German philosophers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It is a theory that focuses on the discussion and analysis of class structure, struggle and revolution. .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Above all, throughout the story, Moira can be interpreted as a symbol of hope for the Handmaids, especially for Offred. The first time Moira gives Offred hope that her situation might improve is when they meet at the Red Center. Offred arrived at the Rachel and Leah Center several weeks earlier than Moira. At this time, Offred felt alone, helpless and hopeless, while her character immediately changed once her friend Moira arrived. Offred said, "It reassures me that Moira is here", showing that Moira's arrival truly gives Offred hope and a sense of security for the living. Additionally, the best hope that Moira brings to all the Handmaids is Moira's second escape since at that time, Moira managed to escape from the Red Center, so this serves as strong evidence that the other girls could also escape. Although none of them actually escaped, Moira symbolizes hope for all the girls at the center because she defied and broke the bonds that kept all the handmaids in bondage. There's a quote: "In Moira's light, the aunts were less frightening...their power had a flaw." This sentence proves that Moira gave Offred the hope and courage to give her a different view of her situation. Additionally, after Offred got out of the Red Center, even though Moira was not with her in person, in Offred's mind, Moira is still her source of hope for survival. However, while the Commander was taking Offred to Jezebel's, a gentlemen's club for high-ranking government men, Offred met Moira for the last time. Offred didn't see a strong, courageous, passionate Moira that Offred expected, but she found a wife. whose life had ruined and, as the book mentions, “taken away something…that was so central to her.” Moira is the symbol of hope for Offred, so, seeing that Moira has abandoned her belief in freedom, Offred suddenly loses her hope and courage for life in the future. There is an important quote: "I don't want her to be like me...I want chivalry." This line shows that Offred placed Moira in aposition of emotional anchor and spiritual pillar. So when she sees her old source of motivation for life in ruins, Offred also loses the belief that her situation, her life, everything will get better and better. . So when one finds oneself in a dilemma, a necessary thong to keep going is hope while one loses hope, one tends to be unable to continue moving forward, which is similar to this novel. Offred received immense hope from her old friend Moira, who was always brave to fight. Over time, Moira gradually became the symbol of hope, but when Moira was defeated by life and succumbed to life, Offred's source of hope was simultaneously shattered. Additionally, Moira has a vital role in contrast to Offred in Atwood. The Handmaid's Tale. First and foremost, the most important contrast between the two is that Moira has a more sensitive political conscience than Offred. When Gilead quickly takes control and establishes its own independent regime, it is Moira who tells Offred everything that has happened in this turbulent society. There is also a quote that can prove this point in the text. “She wasn't stunned, like I was. In a strange way, she was cheerful, as if this was what she had been expecting for a while and now she was right. This quote is mentioned when Offred discusses Moira's reaction the day they learned that women could no longer own their own property. At that time, almost all women were surprised, but only Moira seemed to have predicted this event. Indeed, unlike Offred, Moira took an active part in social activities and was concerned about current events and affairs in order to be able to foresee the future and not be very surprised by the upheaval. While Offred and others simply let the changes happen and felt unbelievable, Moira was energetic in finding the opportunity to fight back, which created a stark contrast between Offred and Moira to show Moira's sensitivity to politics. Another example that shows Offred to be apolitical is that at one point in the novel we are told that Offred's mother was a determined feminist activist, while Offred does not feel as motivated by her. Offred is passive and prefers to live the life she sees fit. She doesn't pay too much attention to the deterioration of politics, until she loses her job, can no longer own her own private property, and even loses basic freedom. After losing all of this, Offred began to reflect and think like Moira. Additionally, there was another contrast between Moira and Offred. "There was a time when we didn't kiss after she told me she was gay, but then she said I didn't turn her on." Here, Moira dares to joke about her own sexuality in order to comfort Offred, which shows that Moira is more outspoken and outspoken. She seems to be a complete contrast to Offred as she is bold and outgoing, her language is vulgar and flippant. Therefore, it is clear that Moira is a force of expression, political thought, and determination for Offred. Aside from these two points, Moira is also a clear role model and natural leader for the Handmaids. She demonstrates exceptional courage and determination throughout her time at the Red Center. There's a quote: "You can't let her slip overboard." This stuff is catchy. When Janine shows weakness at the Red Center, Moira volunteers to take it upon herself to help her and tries to make sure the aunts don't find her this way, which shows Moira's kindness, courage and wisdom. Meanwhile, these qualities also deeply impress Offred.,.