First, prepare a response to the statement below in a Word document using coherent arguments, clear writing, and correct grammar. The initial response should be roughly 500 words in length with vivid and specific details from the text. Once the response is of publishable quality, cut and paste it into the blog thread prepared for the novel you read. You will be posting with students from all of my classes who read the same novel. Second, respond to three (3) students in the same blog (you may respond to students not in your class). Your responses must be at least 150 words in length, well-written, and correct in grammar. Make sure you thoughtfully respond to the initial posting, referencing the original student’s thoughts, as well as anyone else who has responded. Include in your responses informally referenced historical or modern day examples to support your argument. This is a scholastic application of Internet networking – “Internet speak,” acronyms, casual or inappropriate language, off-task communication, or profanity is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Any inappropriate response will be deleted immediately and no credit will be given.
Statement: Margaret Atwood strongly comments on American society in A Handmaid's Tale. Describe the commentary and Atwood's purpose behind it, supporting your analysis with vivid, specific details from the text.
Margaret Atwood makes a stunning statement about American society and it’s decline in her novel The Handmaid’s Tale. Published in 1985; this novel is classified as a dystopian piece of writing; which is defined as an imaginary or projected place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives; an imaginary place or state where everything is as bad as it possibly can be: or a description of such a place. Atwood, being forty-seven when she wrote this particular novel, grew up surrounded by this raging idea of “feminism” lived in the era where women started to really make a stand for themselves. Two major accomplishments that she lived through was: one, the famous Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court Trial in 1973 where women won the right to their reproductive choices involving abortion; and two, the approval for the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972. These greatly affected her writing; both style, mood, and tone. After a post-examination of the book though, it’s evident she has mixed emotions about the movement in some ways. Although she certainly sides on the feminism side, she expresses through her character’s Offred’s mother that she saw it as extreme and sometimes a bit ridiculous. Even with that exception, it’s clear that Margaret Atwood based this book on the idea of the “what if” negative side of feminism and the beginning of the decline of humanity.
ReplyDeleteIs humanity declining over the years, over the centuries? We’re growing, becoming more intelligent, “broadening our horizons” if you will. But over what scene are those horizons looming, when we have so dehumanized our race and rely on everything but ourselves? Atwood tries to explore this possibility throughout her novel. Women are reduced to nothing but breeding cows and in some cases, furniture. (Like when Serena Joy entered the parlor and Offred thought to herself “possibly she’ll put her hand on my shoulder to steady herself, like a piece of furniture. She’s done it before.) Their roles are confused and contradicting. In some ways being a “handmaid” is respectable, and in others shameful. If you were to ask a modern woman what she would think about just being used to grow another being inside of her, with all the stipulations and events as in this book, she would be appalled. But to the women that were actually handmaids, most were resigned to it. The Wives envied them and appeared to snub their nose to them; but only because they were taking their place. The other Women throughout the book respected them and the Aunt’s and society also showed their “honor” by letting them kneel on the special cushions in the special sanctioned area in the front at events.
She also makes a statement about propaganda; and how it can evolve into evil. Today we are influenced thousands of times a day; but how many ways really change our lives? What if our government hung bodies in front of the White House for us all to see? It morphs a nation’s mindset into creating chaos, even unspeakable and unbelievable acts. They see these bodies every day hanging, and then they are told a lie about a spy to make the women go crazy, in a gang-like mindset, and beat him to death. That would be the same thing as us hearing all about Osamo Binladen and then seeing him on the White House lawn. What would you do?
What would have happened if “Jane Roe” (actually an alias for the woman on who the suit was filed for originally, since she was afraid to use her real name) had lost the case? Birth Control wasn’t legal either. What if somebody like Hitler had stepped in front of our country in a low point; like after the Great Depression or the modern “9/11”? What would it take for a master race to try to be created, and who would be selected?
Oh my gosh. I guess my paragraph indentations didn't go through. Where ever there is a line that is unfinished, the next line should be indented. I apologize!
ReplyDeleteMargaret Atwood expresses her social and political critiques of American society through her book, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” I found many connections between issues in the novel and issues in our country today, including, the manipulation and manufacturing of information, extreme strides towards a fascist state, and political and social movements.
ReplyDeleteWhen the theocratic takeover of America occurs in the novel, all government officials, including the President and Congress are assassinated. This horror is explained to the public as a Muslim terrorist attack, when in fact, it was American citizens who hoped for a theocratic fascist state that were responsible. This falsified piece of information was sent out in order to manipulate the perspective and emotions of the public. I believe this theme of the control of information is very present in our current society. When Americans first entered Iraq, the justification was that Iraq planned to attack America, and we needed to protect ourselves from the hundreds of weapons of mass destruction that Iraq supposedly had hidden all over the country. This however, was also a falsification of information. There was not a single weapon of mass destruction located in Iraq at the time. The information handed, and also restricted to the American public in “The Handmaid’s Tale” resembles the manipulation of information that we have also experienced in our lifetime.
I think Atwood’s purpose of writing the novel was to take what is considered as a casual perspective or idea, and exaggerate the effects of it. She creates a feeling of, “What if?” What if traditional values were widespread and extreme? What if these simple theocracies were taken into effect? Atwood seems to express the importance of thinking through a certain opinion before acting on it. For example, Serena Joy is an advocate for extreme traditional values, and when these ideas finally come into reality, it destroys her life. Today, there are many examples of casual ideas that, to me, are becoming more extreme, and very frightening. A very common American perspective of the rejection of foreigners has recently become real. The issues in Arizona are the reflection of extremist ideas actually coming to life. After 9/11, tensions were raised in America and many stereotypes against Muslims were formed. Although slightly justified, this perspective of Muslims is rapidly becoming extreme. Just this week, a reverend in Gainesville, Florida announced his plan to burn copies of the Koran on September 11th. This action scares me. The Reverend is doing this as a pro-American, Anti-Muslim action. However, I think this needs to be looked at another way. Many anti-American countries burn our flags in protest, isn’t this the same thing? These extreme ideas seem to be moving us, as a whole, in the direction of a fascist state. Just as in Atwood’s novel, when casual ideas, opinions, and perspectives are taken into effect, there can be devastation unthinkable consequences.
Atwood’s novel is an exaggeration of ideas and actions, but I believe it needs to be taken quite seriously. The Gilead society in, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is not an incredibly too far-fetched prediction of our country in the distant future. It should warn us of the dangers of extremist ideas and teach us how important it is to think our opinions through before putting them into action.
I would like to comment on Aliya’s blog response. First of all, I’m glad someone else read this novel! But in your writing, I especially liked how you were able to make a connection between events in the novel and events in Atwood’s life such as Roe vs. Wade and the impact that had on women and society. I also believe you are right in asking questions about what society would be like if influences, like Hitler and Communism, had come to America during our times of hardship and whether we would have succumbed. I believe that if a radical idea had come to America during times like the Great Depression, it would have been very possible for our entire government to change like it did to become Gilead in the novel.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I hadn’t considered before which you mentioned was Atwood’s comments on propaganda and the effect it has on the people. Because, if you think this way, the pornography and illicit materials Offred burned with her mother in the beginning and which were banned in Gilead, were a form of negative propaganda. This particular propaganda was one factor in why so many people were outraged before the government of America had changed. Ironically, The Gilead Republic then used displayed the bodies of dead heretics on the Wall which is negative propaganda, just like pornography was negative propaganda, in order to alter the mindset of its citizens, something they appeared to be fighting against. I think this is just an interesting comparison between the novel and the present day.
Mrs. Kushner,
ReplyDeleteI have put my blog on here atleast five times, and every time it has been removed and I have had to re-post it. I hope this doesn't happen again. I am just alerting you about the problem.
This blog response will not send, so I'm sending it in two parts.
ReplyDeletepart 1
One of Atwood’s strongest comments on American society through this novel is that its people are dehumanized by not only one another, but by America’s government. The purpose of these comments is to first of all to warn our current society about the effects of government and make us fear how oppressive it could become. Secondly, Atwood may also be using these strong comments on society to make current Americans appreciate their privileges.
Through the frequent dehumanization and removal of individuality of the citizens in this novel, Atwood is commenting that this is happening, to a lesser degree, in American society today. This dehumanization of the people by their fellow citizens is demonstrated in the novel through the Particution ceremony, people’s willingness to implicate others when questioned, and the tactics of the Aunts. The dehumanization of the people by the government of Gilead is shown through heretics being hung on the Wall, the blatant disregard for inalienable rights that Americans hold dear, the use of Eyes, the regulation of dress code, and the encouragement of violence in ceremonies like Particution. Atwood observed a shift in the attitude of the country from altruistic to selfish during the economic recession that occurred in the 1980’s as well as from the lasting effects of the Great Depression, in which people only sought to help themselves and disregard others and the country was more vulnerable to being overtaken by a dystopian society. Events such as these probably gave her the idea to publish a novel depicting a scenario in which the dehumanization of people was a major element of society.
I hate computers. I didn't indent Part 2 and it just looks like a terrible run-on. So, the second paragraph in part 2 began with the sentence, "On the other hand..". This is in line thirteen. The last paragraph begins with, "Among the many comments....". I apologize.
ReplyDeleteI would like to comment on Aliya’s blog post. I had a lot of similar views about the book as you did. I also liked the original ideas you had concerning a lot of the issues that Margaret Atwood brings to life. You opened my eyes to a completely knew perspective about the book.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you touched on the question of whether or not it was an honor to be a Handmaid. While reading the book, you can only be horrified with the duties she must perform, but later on this perspective somewhat changes. We learn of the incredible joy that comes along with the birth of a child, and how “necessary” they really were. Although it is not a job that demands much respect as a reader, we must consider the circumstances. The life Offred is forced to live is oppressive, as well as depressive, in her situation, having a child would certainly be an honor, it’s a means to an end for her.
Ladies,
ReplyDeleteYou make good points. I'm especially pleased you are examining the societal context in which the book was published. Some dystopia novels fear libralism going to a dangerous extreme, making everyone equal/same to the detriment of the individual, but this one fears conservatism going too far. Is there any basis for this fear in American society today?
In response to Gracen Eiland’s Post:
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a very good point to say that Atwood wanted us to truly analyze the possible effects of our ideas before we put them into action. She definitely showed us what life would be like if extreme fascist ideas were put into effect. I had also never noticed the irony in Serena Joy’s belief of extremely conservative ideas, and that these were eventually the ideas that ruined her life. Many people don’t analyze the effect of ideas and actions until it is too late. If they did, many events probably wouldn’t occur. This book has taught me so much.
Secondly, I appreciated how you tried to connect circumstances in the book, such as the falsification of information and extreme dislike of other cultures, to present day examples of these. It made me consider, “Based on these examples, are the horrors in Atwood’s novel partly coming true in America today, and could they escalate to turn our society into something like Gilead?” I had tried to connect Atwood’s possible critiques on society more to events that would have occurred during the time period that Atwood wrote the novel, but by showing modern day examples, you helped give the novel more meaning and showed how things resembling Gilead could actually be affecting our lives.
In response to Mrs. Kushner:
ReplyDeleteI believe that there is definite evidence of conservative beliefs going too far, but the evidence of increasing liberalism is much more prevalent. For example, consider that some movies which are rated G, now include sexual references and profanity, something they never have before. All over the news are stories of people sharing their liberal views, such as Atheism. Democrats are currently the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Also, an increasing number of states are legalizing gay marriages. In Austin, Texas, the capital of a state famous for conservative values, is home to thousands of same-sex couples and rallies for gay pride are held annually. I do realize that there are still many conservative Republicans, Mormons, Muslims, and other types of people with more “traditional” viewpoints who try to uphold their conservative views with their strongest will. But on the whole, I see a shift in the attitudes of Americans toward more tolerance for liberal views. I don’t see a hugely strong basis for Atwood’s fear of conservatism going too far in our society today, though there may have been more evidence for this fear when the book was originally published.
In Response to: Aliya Watson,
ReplyDeleteYou make very excellent points in your initial response. I didn’t know that around that time feminism was going on. It is a very scary idea thinking what if this was our society today, and who will survive and who will die? In my opinion, I think I’d rather die than be used as a reproductive machine that isn’t even treated like a woman or a person for that matter. The only spot in the novel I found Offred talking about the Handmaids being respected was by the Guards because of what their position in a Commander’s household was. I saw more than anything the Handmaids position being shameful. Also, your statement about the Handmaids being resigned to being used in that way I think isn’t true for most of the Handmaids. If you remember in the beginning of the book when Offred and Ofglen were in Milk and Honey, and Ofwarren came in and she was pregnant. She was proud to flaunt her belly. Not all Handmaids are resigned to this being treated the way they are. Your statement about us being influenced thousands of times a day is correct but it only changes us if it is a huge decision that influences us and if we act on it. I think your last paragraph was going a little overboard but your last statement was true and that is what made the novel terrifying too. Who would be selected if there was a master race? How many of us would be selected to be a childless Wife, a Martha, or a Handmaid? Moreover, those of us that weren’t chosen would we be killed or would we become an Unwoman?
In Response to: Gracen Eiland,
ReplyDeleteI think you’re not looking at the little ideas that make it hard for our society to become that. They said that their society was failing because of having too many choices in life, we too have a lot choices in our lives but what makes our society different from the “Handmaid’s Tale” is that we won’t be squeezed into three specific groups or become an Unwoman. It is true, that a lot of our society could become what Margaret wrote about but it most likely won’t happen. I believe Margaret Atwood’s purpose in writing the novel is that she thinks what she wrote about is the lowest a society can become. America, itself, is a Superpower and a lot of countries are still looking to us. A lot of other nations would fail before America and we would see that and we would change our ways before it happens to us. You are right, this novel is scary because it seems very realistic and she was writing in a time when women were speaking for themselves and I think men were having a hard time adjusting to that. This society would be a man’s ideal society, the women being a Wife, having a housekeeper, and having a woman to get pregnant.
In Response to: Erin Roberts part 1
ReplyDeleteErin, you bring up very good points and that people were becoming very selfish due to the Great Depression. I haven’t been able to read your part 2 but I imagine that it would make good points. I think Margaret Atwood’s novel all of our eyes to how scary that society is and that could become our society but it probably won’t become our society. Thankfully, for us our society is strong and one of the best societies. I wanted to address your comment on the frequent dehumanization; I saw that mostly with the Handmaids. Offred was dehumanized many times, a time that stands out to me was before the first Ceremony and Serena Joy came in and used her shoulder as a piece of furniture to help her sit down. It is weird that you say that this happening in our society today and she had no idea what our society would be like. But good point nonetheless.
In response to Whitley’s comments on Erin’s, Aliya’s and my own blog-
ReplyDeleteYou had similar comments about society today in each one of our blog responses. You seem to disagree with any relevance of the theme of the book present in America today. I believe, however, that it is hugely important to realize that the horrifying incidents that created the state of Gilead are very possible to happen in America.
Of course, her novel is extremely exaggerated and incredibly unlikely to happen, but very similar things have happened in our time that can be related to Atwood’s book. The America Atwood describes is just like our own, with very little differences, she imagines the worst consequences to the actions we don’t think much about.
To ignore the similarities in our world today, insults “The Handmaid’s Tale” entirely. Offred is a character that we can find ourselves in, with her as the narrator; she evokes feelings of fear, hopelessness, and oppression in the reader. Those feelings become deeper and more meaningful when we imagine that similar situations could come true. Without those feelings, I believe you miss the whole purpose of the novel itself.
hater
DeleteInitial Response:
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that the author points out to warn us of the danger of living too comfortably in our society is when the protagonist says something that is true about almost every single person in the entire world, “…what did she ever want but to lead her life as agreeably as possible? What did any of us want?” (pg. 117). I think that it’s of course true that everyone wants to live well, but what will happen when we think that the only way to do so is to follow orders that we are unsure of. I don’t think that’s all either. It’s more that there are so many things that we can’t predict in our world/society, but are we fully prepared if the worst were to occur today?
((PART 2))
Initial Response:
ReplyDeleteThere is another part of the book, where the author puts in Offred’s mother as an important role model who is never actually seen in the book, but still affects the story and its messages. Most of her mother’s life was devoted to fighting for rights of women. No doubt, it took a lot of effort, willpower, and time. In the story, the author shows how easily everything was taken away from the women, which had been so hard to get in the first place. Her mother definitely makes her point when she got to drinking at her daughter’s house. She’d say, “You don’t know what we had to go through, just to get you where you are… Don’t you know how many women’s bodies, the tanks had to roll over just to get that far?” (pg. 121). All in all, the author is trying to make a huge point that people need to fight for what they believe in all of the time or they can become victims.
((PART 3))
Initial Response:
ReplyDeleteIn A Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood comments on how American society is weak in a way. Far into the story, she tells the readers through the protagonist that only a decade or less in the past, America’s entire government was wiped out by some sort of unknown organization in just a few minutes. It seemed so unbelievable that something like that would ever occur, yet it would not be impossible. Offred recalls what happened in that time; “They blamed it on Islamic fanatics…,” (pg. 174). It seemed ridiculous that the public would just have to swallow that information that seemed so unlikely. However, what else would the people have done? In the present, the people of America are so used to living comfortably that they might not even question the answers that they were fed.
((PART 1A))
Initial Response:
ReplyDeleteOne of the numerous problems that made it so easy for the society to become helpless was that everyone became dependent on electronics. For an example, when money could only be used through electric means and people started to think that paper money that you could physically hold was out-dated. In fact, Offred tells the readers that it was not such a good decision to put all of their things on the line, blindly. Offred says: “I guess that’s how they were able to do it, in the way that they did, all at once, without anyone knowing beforehand,” (pg. 174). Everything in the novel that was taken away disappeared very quickly. The author paints the picture that our society and beliefs are very fragile and maybe even doomed in the future.
((PART 1B))
PS: Sorry, I could only put this up in several parts and now the order is all messed up, because I had to split up the first part too!
Response #1 to Aliya Watson's Initial Response:
ReplyDeleteI really like the points that you brought up for this novel. I completely agree on the fact that just about any woman in this age would be completely appalled at the idea of being a handmaiden and never be able to get into a mindset where they would see the position as one of honor, like in the book.
One point that I would like to bring up is about how easily the entire government was disposed of in the novel. I feel like the people in the book, as well as reality, were completely too comfortable with, well, their comfortable lives. However, I'm not sure that today if that were to happen, we would do much of a better job fighting for our rights. I mean, just take a look at some of the flaws in our government with Constitutional laws not being fought for by the regular people anymore. Soon, people need to wake up and become educated about what is going on around them. Even in the novel, Offred doesn't even realize exactly what is going on, when women's rights are yanked out from underneath her. Apparently, things were going on on the news, while she wasn't keeping herself informed. I'd take that as another warning the author is trying to give.
Response #2 to Gracen Eiland's Initial Response:
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up some really good points. The main one that I focused on that you brought up was about how our society is looking like in the future years. Also, how our extreme ideas will have terrifying consequences in the future. It made me think of how in the past couple years or so, Americans don't seem to be thinking about the future. It is pretty scary to think of how the lack of concern from older politicians that will not be around for future effects have been treating our country. I'm saying that the actions of the people in power currently don't seem to be concerned about what they are leaving for future generations to clean up for them. Not to mention, prejudice is eating away at our country recently. I don't know what ifs I would say to try and wake people up to the wrongs and dangers that are being piled up right now in our country. However, I don't think that the future looks totally bleak. Our current generation of children must be getting the message, if we are able to have these sort of discussions. Hopefully, in a couple of years, the prospect of our futures will look brighter through much conflict resolution.
Response #3 to Erin Roberts:
ReplyDeleteI would like to comment on how I really enjoyed how you said that not only do we dehumanize each other, but the government does as well. I really like that and how I can connect it to how the government makes our supposed enemies terrifying to us. That reminds me of how we were learning about how in World War Two, Americans had completely dehumanizing propaganda concerning Germans. In some of the posters that were spread around our country and even cartoons, there were shown as dumb or completely horrible and ruthless. In the story that Atwood tells, you are never quite clear on what crimes have been committed by the people hanging on the walls or the people caught on television, you are just told how bad they are. At some points, Offred acknowledges that the people that were fighting for their religion or other “bad” things looked like regular people. The thing was that the people going to be punished were never allowed a voice, just like the times when people were drugged when they were going to be killed for some assortments of crimes, so that the others being brainwashed couldn't feel sorry for them.
My comment's didnt post! Okay; here goes again.
ReplyDeleteComment #1 In Response to Mrs. Kushner:
I do believe this fear has been justified throughout both history and modern-day society. If you look back in history, look at the relative ease at which a minority in a society has been completely abolished. I am not suggesting women in general are a minority; but in some societies they are considered of lesser value and can be perceived as such.
Also, I'd like to point out what The Captain said to Offred; about how men were bored (more or less). Compare it to something relatable; video games. What reaction would you get if you shipped Halo or Call of Duty back into the eighteen hundreds (assuming you shipped back a battery operated x-box too)? It would be chaos. Bringing it back to the relative point; sexuality. Things that used to be considered taboo are now expected of women today. How long will it take before society wants something new...something different?
In Response to Gracen Eiland's Response:
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with your statement where you suggested that the novel was"extremely exxagerated and unrealistic". Obviously, this book is set in the future and in a vague tense, but I believe it is entirely possible. Think about the control the government has over us; sometimes without our very knowledge.The Patriot Act grants them the ability to do pretty much everything if they have "reasonable suspiscion"; but...who do they have to prove that too? I dont believe the stretch us that far; I believe it could happen. The thing is, there isnt a reason why too right now.
Resonse to Danika's Response:
ReplyDeleteI'd like to express how much I enjoyed how you linked propaganda to world war two; it was what I was trying to acheieve, you just delved a little deeper and I really enjoyed it. Propaganda is a scary thing, it can influence a whole society's mindset quickly. They can make us believe almost everything. Remember the real War of the World's? How in the sixties; the radio station did the show and everyone believed alien's were landing and started freaking out? That might sound ridiclous now, but what if the president announced there were nuclear missles being launched at us and would strike in three days? Would you believe him?
Thank you to all the participants!
ReplyDeleteMargaret Atwood’s novel “ The Handmaid’s Tale “ is spoken from the view point of a woman who lives in what can merely be described as a feminists complete and utter nightmare due to the conditions that the women in this novel are made to endure through their lives. These types of conditions and treatment have been existing through out the time of humans as far as documentation can trace back and are still alive and very much real in some parts of the world with how women are regarded and treated. The American society has had its fair share of instances in the past where this has been seen and can still be seen today even as time and ways of how things are done continue to change. The only thing that doesn’t seem to change is the ever lasting way that women are objectified and treated as property by some individuals and groups of people. Margaret Atwood seems to have taken on this problem in modern day society with her book even though it was published a few decades ago, but her book still has truth to it and sends a clear message of how women have been treated before and continue to be treated even though times keep moving on and change. Since she grew up during feminist movements, these movements became part of how she came to form her view points on the issues along with helping her write her book. Her vivid use of words makes the reader form a picture in their mind of how the women are treated and helps the reader connect to the book which is somewhat demoralizing since it makes one think that at one point in the history of the United States, women were to a certain extent in the same situation that these women are in. When reading the book, we’re told women are used simply to create children, clean, and cook when told to. This has been in our society from the start of our young history since women served few roles in the life of the colonists and through out much of what we have from recorded history. Women have been given their role as caretakers, cleaners, and cooks through out history and this books shows that but in the most extreme of fashions. These fashions may be harsh and extreme but they show what at times has been true and can still be thought to be true with how women are still objectified and put down in our society. With today’s society the usage of sexist jokes has become more popular among people, at times it may be just to joke around but at other times it can still be used to degrade women which can be seen in the book with how women are treated and can be connected to how the jokes portray women. Overall Margaret Atwood faced the problem of sexism well even if it may have been from a feminist point of view, but still was able to show how these nightmares are still evident even in today’s world.
ReplyDelete1st Respone in response to Mrs. Kushner's response.....
ReplyDeleteThere is basis for such fears of things like this happening in society because they have occurred in previous times and can still be seen in parts of the world today. For example, some parts of the Middle East and parts of Africa still regard women as nothing more than objects and treat them like that because of the extreme of the views of people in those parts of the world. Even in other aspects of life things like this have brought fear to people, one main thing is the power the government has and that is still a concern to this day with people opposing the way things are done. This book helps show what has happened in previous centuries and still continues to this day, so I think people can have something to support their fear.
2nd Response in response to Danika....
ReplyDeleteThis could actually happen in real life because governments have been completely removed in an incredibly short time frame. In the real world this has happened in less the 48 hours to remove the standing government. During the Cold War, the Soviets were able to take over the Muslim run Afghanistan which no one would have thought possible but they happened to have been able to pull it off, so this book helps show that the fear of this happening is actually possible in the real world. I can’t remember exactly what time this happened during the Cold War but I do think it occurred during the same time that this book was published and I think that this might have influenced her with the “ Islamic fanatics “ in the story that helped remove the government in a matter of minutes. When the soviets took over it was done in a matter of minutes but the effect didn’t set in for a couple of hours later, nonetheless it still shows that the possibility is not out of range if it has happened once before, it can happen again.
3rd Response in response to Erin...
ReplyDeleteThis could actually happen in real life because governments have been completely removed in an incredibly short time frame. In the real world this has happened in less the 48 hours to remove the standing government. During the Cold War, the Soviets were able to take over the Muslim run Afghanistan which no one would have thought possible but they happened to have been able to pull it off, so this book helps show that the fear of this happening is actually possible in the real world. I can’t remember exactly what time this happened during the Cold War but I do think it occurred during the same time that this book was published and I think that this might have influenced her with the “ Islamic fanatics “ in the story that helped remove the government in a matter of minutes. When the soviets took over it was done in a matter of minutes but the effect didn’t set in for a couple of hours later, nonetheless it still shows that the possibility is not out of range if it has happened once before, it can happen again.
Ignore that previous post, I messed up on what I was transfering from word to here.
ReplyDeleteactual 3rd response in response to Erin...
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point of how people are dehumanized in the book and stripped of their rights, the only thing is that this continues to this day and doesn’t seem to be coming to an end anytime soon since it still holds its presence in the world. I think this is part of the human way now since it is pretty much the only way a person can cope with their actions and feel as little remorse for their actions. We’re growing up in a society were people have to go to extreme measures to get things done and dehumanization is sometimes the only way they can do something when it means that their goal will cost someone else dearly. This is sometimes seen in the work place, schools, sports, and just about everyday life since advancing has become a part of the society we live in.