Written draft of a practice IOC (oral commentary) regarding the ceremony scene in The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.
In dept analysis of chosen quotes which are directed towards proving the thesis statement.
Word count: 1111.
IOC Practice 1 – Handmaid’s Tale - Ceremony scene.
pp90-91 “But such a feeling would be an illusion…I read that somewhere once.”
pp114-115 “Here is what I believe…I would.”
pp146-147 “The clock in the hall downstairs strikes nine…I open the door, step in.”
This extract is from the dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. The
extract is from the scene in which readers are first acquainted with the Ceremony. The
Commander recites a prayer, during which Offred drifts off and starts to recollect some
memories of Luke and her daughter, which is followed by the impregnation ceremony. This
extract revolves around the themes of rebellion, dominance and fertility.
Firstly, the extract demonstrates mental as well as minute physical rebellions against the
laws of Gilead. Offred shows defiance in small, almost unnoticeable ways as opposed to
Nick’s slightly bolder actions of defiance. ‘But such a feeling would be an illusion’ is a
declarative that shows Offred’s yearning for independence, but the phrase ‘and too risky’
indicates her cautious nature whereby she is afraid to be openly rebellious. ‘Illusion’ is a
noun which implies that the feeling of power is so non-existent within women in Gilead,
that it is like a fantasy. Unlike Offred, who is afraid to disobey laws, Nick does openly rebel
to a certain extent. His casual attitude is incongruous in Gilead’s society, and the manner in
which he nods at everyone is disrespectful compared to the standard greeting used in
Gilead. Nick speaks to Cora directly, and not in the respectful manner in which Guardian’s
communicate with others, but in a casual tone. ‘He is so close that the tip of his boot is
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