Another impactful one is 'I am alive, I live, I breathe, I put my hand out, unfolded, into the sunlight.' This quote is powerful because it represents the will to exist and to experience life in a world that tries to deny the handmaids basic humanity. It's a small act of assertion in a large system of oppression.
A very impactful quote is 'We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave off no smell. No one mentioned us.' This shows the invisibility of the oppressed in the society of the novel. They are there but not really accounted for in the grand narrative.
The quote 'I wait. I compose myself. My self is a thing I must now compose, as one composes a speech. What I must present is a made thing, not something born.' Here, it reveals how the handmaids have to construct an artificial self to survive in the regime. It shows the extent to which their true selves are suppressed.
One important quote from the novel is 'Nolite te bastardes carborundorum'. It shows the defiance of the handmaids. They are in a very oppressive society but this phrase is like a secret code of resistance among them.
A quote like 'I am alive in my own way, and that is enough to start with.' is also very important. It speaks to the idea of self - affirmation and survival. In a world where the handmaids are so restricted and objectified, this is a declaration of their own existence and worth, that even in their oppressed state, they are alive and that has significance.
One powerful quote is 'We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories.' This shows the hidden existence of the handmaids and their state of being overlooked yet having a certain kind of 'freedom' within that invisibility.
The characters' internal struggles. The handmaids are constantly torn between survival and resistance. Offred's inner thoughts and her journey of self - discovery within the confines of Gilead are very powerful. It shows how individuals can still maintain a sense of self even in the most oppressive environments.
Quotes such as those about the power structure in Gilead, like the Commanders having all the power, show the extreme inequality. The quotes also show how the religious dogma is used as a tool for oppression. For instance, when the handmaids are made to follow strict religious rules that are really just a means to keep them subjugated. It's all about maintaining the status quo of a male - dominated and repressive society.
One of the most impactful quotes is 'The stuff that dreams are made of.' This quote has become iconic. It reflects on the allure of the Maltese Falcon itself, which is the object of everyone's desires in the novel. It's not just about the physical object, but also about the hopes and dreams that are attached to it.
Well, 'My spirit will sleep in peace, or if it thinks, it will not surely think thus. Farewell.' is a thought - provoking quote. It gives a sense of finality and a kind of resignation from the Creature. It makes the reader wonder about his state of mind at the end, whether he truly finds peace or if there is still some turmoil in his thoughts even in death.
The quote 'There are things worse than being a greaser. One of them is being a soc.' This flips the typical view of the two groups. It shows that being a soc, with all their wealth and privilege, has its own problems. It makes the reader think about the different kinds of struggles people face, not just the obvious ones.
Yes, The Handmaid's Tale is a novel. It was written by Margaret Atwood and has gained significant popularity and critical acclaim.
Yes, The Handmaid's Tale is a novel written by Margaret Atwood.