I was not able to truly relate to this book. Its characters and writing style did not connect with me, and I found that I had no affiliation toward Equality, the Golden One, or any of the other people within the novel. It was not of great concern to me what happened in the end because I could not relate to any of them.
I respected Equality for his determination to rebel, and that he challenged the normalities of his society; however, I did not feel the bond that I have felt for other characters from other stories, such as Montag or Offred. Maybe because it was written in such a structured manner I did not view Equality as a real person, but just as another machine in the tangled web of technology.
Equality was gradually finding his inner strength as an individual, and I found that empowering; but to me, Anthem was just another futuristic story that warned against extreme technology and the advances that it makes, and to be mindful of the hands that this power succumbs to.
It was not a bad book, it was just a story that I could not connect with on a higher level.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Handmaid's Tale-Reaction
The Handmaid's Tale was one of more controversial books that I have read in school. Atwood was not afraid to express any emotion or act that her characters may experience. I appreciated her bluntness and realness to approaching such serious matters, and as high school students, it was refreshing to read a novel that was not fearful of stepping outside the boundaries. Although certain scenes and events that Offred had to endure were explicit and intense, it was genuine in Atwood's writing.
We have read many books so far this year that fall under the category of sci-fi, and that have the government going completely awry upon its citizens. However, Atwood presents this topic in a manner that lets you see inside the mind of a person being directly affected by it, and that did experience a life that was once good and possessed freedoms.
I liked this book because it was taking place in a time where its general, young public practiced the same freedoms that we have, and are now forced to live a life full of restrictions, codes, and titles. And depending on the person's label, directly affects their status in life. The Handmaid's Tale is even more frightening due to the fact that their new society is not far into the future, and these changes happened quite suddenly. Because of the abruptness that these adjustments occurred, it makes us wonder if the Republic of Gilead would be able to take over in our own society.
We have read many books so far this year that fall under the category of sci-fi, and that have the government going completely awry upon its citizens. However, Atwood presents this topic in a manner that lets you see inside the mind of a person being directly affected by it, and that did experience a life that was once good and possessed freedoms.
I liked this book because it was taking place in a time where its general, young public practiced the same freedoms that we have, and are now forced to live a life full of restrictions, codes, and titles. And depending on the person's label, directly affects their status in life. The Handmaid's Tale is even more frightening due to the fact that their new society is not far into the future, and these changes happened quite suddenly. Because of the abruptness that these adjustments occurred, it makes us wonder if the Republic of Gilead would be able to take over in our own society.
Handmaid's Tale-Topic
Margaret Atwood is a passionate feminist. She openly fights for the cause and rights of women, and securely stands her ground when defending her position. When reading The Handmaid's Tale, it is easy to become enraged at the manner in which women are treated. Women have no power, authority, or rights, and are forced to live a life of embarrassment and humiliation; whereas, the men are in complete control of the society.
Atwood also portrays religion in a very negative light. Making it seem that because of religion, women are mere objects to men, and serve no greater purpose than to bear children. Does Atwood condone all forms of religion, or just the traditionalist ideas that date back to the dawning of civilization? Everytime religion is mentioned, it has a negative connotation to it, and it seems as though she believes religion, in general, is the downfall for women in society.
Is Atwood casting too much of the blame onto those with strong religious backgrounds? Or does she have a justified means for her hostility due to the stereotype that strict religious followers standby?
The Republic of Gilead seems to be based on the codes of the Bible. Is Atwood taking religion and the Bible to the highest extreme, or has the Bible and religious followers always had these underlying messages of oppression and supremacy and Atwood is just illuminating that fact?
Whichever the answer may be, Atwood efficiently questions the role of religion.
Atwood also portrays religion in a very negative light. Making it seem that because of religion, women are mere objects to men, and serve no greater purpose than to bear children. Does Atwood condone all forms of religion, or just the traditionalist ideas that date back to the dawning of civilization? Everytime religion is mentioned, it has a negative connotation to it, and it seems as though she believes religion, in general, is the downfall for women in society.
Is Atwood casting too much of the blame onto those with strong religious backgrounds? Or does she have a justified means for her hostility due to the stereotype that strict religious followers standby?
The Republic of Gilead seems to be based on the codes of the Bible. Is Atwood taking religion and the Bible to the highest extreme, or has the Bible and religious followers always had these underlying messages of oppression and supremacy and Atwood is just illuminating that fact?
Whichever the answer may be, Atwood efficiently questions the role of religion.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
We-Reaction
Ayn Rand did a quality job of having her readers feel connected to a character that lacked human emotion. D-503 lived in a society of oppression, yet her writing style let the readers see into the thoughts and ideas of a man that only experienced life through restrictions. Breaking off in mid sentence was seen frequently throughout the novel, and it was just another method for the readers to look beyond the writing. The further one got into the book, the easier it was to replace D-503's position with their own. Rand enabled her readers to think like D-503, and somewhat anticipate how he would feel in certain situations.
When D-503 breaks off in his writing, it is as though he is censoring himself; however, the point and message he was trying to portray is readily revealed. By him not saying anything, he is actually saying more and exposing more about himself.
D-503 is not a conventional hero. However, Ayn Rand makes it work, and through her writing methods and structure it further aids the reader in connecting with a character that originally lacks all qualities that embody a true person.
When D-503 breaks off in his writing, it is as though he is censoring himself; however, the point and message he was trying to portray is readily revealed. By him not saying anything, he is actually saying more and exposing more about himself.
D-503 is not a conventional hero. However, Ayn Rand makes it work, and through her writing methods and structure it further aids the reader in connecting with a character that originally lacks all qualities that embody a true person.
We-Quote
A quote that truly stood out in my mind when reading this novel dealt with D-503 finally starting to break that strong connection to the union of OneState; "A human finger, cut off from its body, its hand...a separate human finger, running hopping along, all hunched over, on a glass sidewalk. I am that finger" (100).
I really appreciated this passage because for one of the more defining and clear moments in D-503's journey, he is able to see the promise and attractiveness of emboding his independence and freedom. D-503 is no longer solely dependent on the solid unit of OneState; he is opening his eyes to a new way of living and thinking. Separating himself from the pack, he is able to realize that although going through the experience alone will not be easy, it will be worthwhile because for the first time there will be emotion and the feeling of actually living. D-503 will not have to depend on the consensus of the group, but instead, the concern he has for himself.
Although the process will be difficult and trying, D-503 will finally experience the emotion of achieving something he has worked toward. This new independence is empowering; however, unless D-503 willingly acts upon this new revelation, that severed finger will be shortly attached back to the overpowering and influential tyranny of the hand.
I really appreciated this passage because for one of the more defining and clear moments in D-503's journey, he is able to see the promise and attractiveness of emboding his independence and freedom. D-503 is no longer solely dependent on the solid unit of OneState; he is opening his eyes to a new way of living and thinking. Separating himself from the pack, he is able to realize that although going through the experience alone will not be easy, it will be worthwhile because for the first time there will be emotion and the feeling of actually living. D-503 will not have to depend on the consensus of the group, but instead, the concern he has for himself.
Although the process will be difficult and trying, D-503 will finally experience the emotion of achieving something he has worked toward. This new independence is empowering; however, unless D-503 willingly acts upon this new revelation, that severed finger will be shortly attached back to the overpowering and influential tyranny of the hand.
We-Theme/Symbol
One constant theme throughout Ayn Rand's novel, We, was D-503's obsession with his hands. He completely despised them, finding them disgusting and repulsing to have; and, each time having to look at his own hands, all he saw was hair and chaos. His hands were big, uncontrollable things that symbolized impulsiveness and unpredictability which he loathed with all the energy in his body.
D-503 was comforted by rules and regulations of the society of OneState. For the majority of the novel, D-503 was too timid and afraid to question the government, and favored the structure of a strict and limited setting. His hands, however, did not fit the mold that D-503 deemed acceptable. Although he does have control over his hands actions, they embody wildness for they are capable of doing great things. D-503's hands show life, opportunity and hope. From the beginning of time, man has used their hands to create, make change, and challenge; however, in the society that D-503 resides in, these aspects are viewed as disgraceful, even unspeakable. D-503 is content leading a life without thought or purpose for the the fear of experiencing a different thought or emotion from his peers. It has been instilled within him that being different is bad, and when the factor of hands comes into the picture, all there is is differences. For instance, everyone has diverse fingerprints, the lines on their palms are not similar; each characteristic placed on their hands emphasizes the individuality of that person. All of which OneState strongly opposes.
D-503's hands express his freedom-the freedom that he is too afraid to possess internally. By Rand making D-503 cautious of his own hands, shows his own inability to challenge the normalities of his society.
D-503 was comforted by rules and regulations of the society of OneState. For the majority of the novel, D-503 was too timid and afraid to question the government, and favored the structure of a strict and limited setting. His hands, however, did not fit the mold that D-503 deemed acceptable. Although he does have control over his hands actions, they embody wildness for they are capable of doing great things. D-503's hands show life, opportunity and hope. From the beginning of time, man has used their hands to create, make change, and challenge; however, in the society that D-503 resides in, these aspects are viewed as disgraceful, even unspeakable. D-503 is content leading a life without thought or purpose for the the fear of experiencing a different thought or emotion from his peers. It has been instilled within him that being different is bad, and when the factor of hands comes into the picture, all there is is differences. For instance, everyone has diverse fingerprints, the lines on their palms are not similar; each characteristic placed on their hands emphasizes the individuality of that person. All of which OneState strongly opposes.
D-503's hands express his freedom-the freedom that he is too afraid to possess internally. By Rand making D-503 cautious of his own hands, shows his own inability to challenge the normalities of his society.
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