One of the aspects of this book that I thought was similar to a modern day event is when Offred went into town and saw the six corpses hanging on the Wall. These people have pictures of fetuses on them because these people were doctors, executed for performing abortions. To Offred, this seems like an everyday occurrence in this society. The Republic of Gilead is trying to strike fear into the hearts of its citizens by displaying what will happen if the law is broken. This is a very effective method of law enforcement and a country in our modern world actually still does this today.
Iran is known for its very strict government and harsh punishments. In fact, Iran is one of the only countries left in the world that still performs public executions, and it is getting more common. An article in Newsweek stated that state executions, performed by hanging the accused criminal in a public area, have risen to an average of two every day. President Rouhani has stated that these public killings are meant to implement fear into this society, not to fight crime. Many countries around the world have explained that they need to intervene in this because these public hangings contradict human rights and that Iran should not be doing this.
I think that a country like Iran has a lot of similarities to the Republic of Gilead. Obviously, these public executions are evident in both and it is a rather normal part of their societies. Fear is supposed to be a large deterrent of crime with the fear of death. Also, Iran has very strict laws against women and they are meant to be seen as less than woman. All in all, Atwood put a lot of parallels between some of these Middle Eastern countries and the Republic of Gilead.
http://www.newsweek.com/state-executions-rise-two-day-iran-313562
That's a really good comparison. The idea of religious institution, especially between two separate Theocracies, really helps to develop the ideas of the novel that express control and dominance.
ReplyDeleteI like the article you put in your post. And like the others, i too never really compared Iran with the Republic of Gilead. However, two hangings a day? This is crazy and goes against our basic human rights. Iran needs to be stopped.
ReplyDeleteFirst of great title it lured me into reading this article. Second, WOW very interesting. I thought this blog was one of my more favorite and memorable blogs I’ve read. First it was something quit disturbing such as public executions and explains how it happens in today’s society. It also incorporates world views and show how this strange thing is seen in another country as normal and right.
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