Free Handmaids Tale Essays: Men Will be Men :: Handmaids Tale Essays

Men depart be Men in The Handmaids Tale Perhaps the most excite aspect of Offreds world is not even its proximity, exclusively its occasional attractiveness. The psyche that women need strict protection from harm is not one espoused entirely by the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Pat Buchanan, but also by women like Andrea Dworkin and Catharine MacKinnon. This protectionist variety of feminism is incorporated in the character of Offreds mother, and to a certain degree in Aunt Lydia. Offreds mother is just as harsh in her censorship of pornography as any mob Dobson. By burning the works which offend her, she too is contributing to the impression that womens safety is contingent on squelching the Bill of Rights. The restriction of sexually clear pictures places the blame for sex crimes on women, again -- the women in the photographs who supposedly come men to rape. Where have we heard this before? Who else refuses to hold rapists responsible for their have actions, choosing in stead to restrict the behavior of those they consider the catalysts? Aunt Lydia is depicted as being mildly psychotic, but the "freedom from" that she offers seems oftentimes almost soothing. To be free of fear of rape would be a wonderful thing. To oblige men to act respectful seems not too bad. We can fete this attitude on our own campus, where the student government holds a "nightwalk" all(prenominal) few divisions. On these walks, dangerous areas are marked out and describe to the Physical Plant and the campus police. In response, bushes and trees next to walkways are demolished to discourage possible attackers who might conceal themselves in them. more(prenominal) halogen lamps are installed. More foot patrol officers walk potential problem spots. Every year the campus looks less like a university and more like an armed camp, but we accept these ugly alterations on our environment in the name of safety. It doesnt seem like such a high price to pay. I n a way, many women already live in a sort of Gilead. They would not dream of going out alone. They feel unfulfilled without children. They do not read (they dont have the time.) They occupy little more than a servants role in their own homes. Their access to abortion is denied. They already live under(a) so many unreasonable restrictions and expectations -- whats a little more, if it comes with a vouch of safety?