Resistance and Complacency

Resistance and Complacency

How can such a totalitarian and theocratic state be set up so fast, replacing the former regime? There must be a group of people believing in this new regime trustfully and enforcing the rules. The Aunts are the best examples. They believe that women are protected well and the society is going well. It is their responsibility and also obligation to teach, train and manage handmaids, because Gilead needs them and their work is full of honor.

Most of the people choose to obey the rules, such as the Commander, Serena… Maybe their lives were not very satisfying, but they just wanted to protect themselves from being blamed by the society. Therefore, they are afraid, and they are complacent. They do not want to resist the society for freer life, but only choose to be satisfied about breathing in the small gap.

Nevertheless, when a new regime is just set up, there must be some people who are resistant to it.

Offred’s mother is one of them. She is a single mother. When Gilead was set up, she was regarded as “unwoman” and was exiled to "the colonies". As shown in the video by Aunts, She and other “unwomen” resist the regime strongly. Meanwhile, in the colonies, they must get great punishment and poor treatment. We do not know her life, but it must be painful.

Moira is also a resister. She does not want to be a handmaid without freedom. So she wanted to escape from the Red Center. After she tried many times, she succeeded to get out. However, she was caught, and sent to Jezebel’s. When she met Offred, she seemed to be satisfied about her life in Jezebel’s, because it was much better than to be a handmaid. And she may not get any other kinds of better lives in such a society. Finally, She surrendered and did not try to resist.

Gilead uses violence and force to make people surrender. It was this society that squeezed people’s thought and hope for pursuing better life.