Handmaid's tale journal #1

We are containers, it's only the insides of our bodies that are important,"(96). In this passage Offred is describing how the women in this new world are treated. When she says they are only used for "the insides of their bodies" she is referring to how the women in society are only used to make babies. That is their only job. All of the women's rights have been taken away in this new place. They are not allowed to have babies or be in a relationship with who they please, they are selected a husband to have sex with and that is where the extent of their relationships go to. They do nothing more then have sex to produce more babies. The women are forbidden to read, write, and even speak. They must do nothing but reproduce. In this passage one can see that the women in this society are being used and are restricted by the laws of a higher power. They are forced to stay in this civilization(which used to be the United States) and must obey numerous laws put into place by higher powers. It is apparent that Offred is lost and scared in her life right now. She knows what life used to be like and what precious rights they are taking away from them. In this section of the book it is shown that women in society really were used as "containers" and nothing else. This is illuminated through Offred's daily routine and how abused she is for the sake of reproducing. One event that happens in this section that demonstrates this, is when Offred must have sex with her "Commander". It is described as a duty and a job. She has no choice in whether or not she has sex or with who she does it with. It is a part of life for her.