Freedom To And Freedom From Handmaid's Tale Quote
The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel written by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. It was first published in 1985 and has since become a modern classic. The book is set in the near future in the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian state that has replaced the United States. The story follows Offred, a handmaid who is forced to bear children for her commander and his wife. The novel has been adapted into a successful television series and has become a cultural phenomenon.
The Quote
One of the most famous quotes from The Handmaid's Tale is "Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don't underrate it." This quote is spoken by Aunt Lydia, one of the leaders of the regime, during a lecture to the handmaids.
The quote is significant in the novel because it highlights the difference between the society before and after the regime took over. Before the regime, people had the freedom to do what they wanted, but this often led to chaos and disorder. The regime has taken away many of these freedoms, but it has also provided a sense of security and stability.
Freedom To
The concept of freedom to is explored throughout the novel. Before the regime, people had the freedom to do what they wanted, but this often led to a lack of accountability and responsibility. Offred recalls a time when women were allowed to wear whatever they wanted and go wherever they pleased. However, this freedom was often taken advantage of, and women were objectified and treated as sexual objects.
Offred also remembers a time when she had the freedom to love and be with the man she chose. However, this freedom was taken away when the regime came into power. Women who were deemed fertile were taken from their families and forced to become handmaids, where they were raped by their commanders in order to bear children for them.
Freedom From
The concept of freedom from is also explored in the novel. The regime has taken away many of the freedoms that people had before, but it has also provided a sense of security and stability. Offred notes that in the time before the regime, people were free to do what they wanted, but they were also free to be hurt and killed.
Under the regime, people are free from many of the dangers that existed before. The streets are safe, and there is no longer any violence or crime. However, this freedom from comes at a cost. People are no longer able to do what they want, and they are forced to conform to the strict rules and regulations of the regime.
The Significance of the Quote
The quote "Freedom to and freedom from" is significant because it highlights the complex relationship between freedom and security. The regime has taken away many of the freedoms that people had before, but it has also provided a sense of security and stability. The quote is a reminder that freedom and security are often at odds with each other.
Furthermore, the quote shows how the regime has manipulated language to justify its actions. By using the phrase "freedom from," the regime is able to make it seem as though it is protecting its citizens from harm. However, this freedom comes at the cost of individual freedom and autonomy.
Conclusion
The quote "Freedom to and freedom from" is a powerful reminder of the complex relationship between freedom and security. The Handmaid's Tale explores this relationship in depth, showing how the regime has taken away many of the freedoms that people had before, but it has also provided a sense of security and stability. The quote is a warning about the dangers of giving up individual freedom in the name of security.