The TV show I would like to focus on is the Hulu Original, The Handmaid’s Tale. This show is also based off of the novel written by Margaret Atwood. I strongly recommend this show for leisure, but also to learn much more about the course concepts of identity and power. In this fictional series, women have been forced into sexual servitude throughout the majority of what was once known as the United States, but is now Gilead. This series follows the journey of handmaid, June Osborne who rebels against and tries to escape the enslavement put amongst her and the other females of this region. In her journey of rebellion and resilience, June discovers new things about the nation, herself, other handmaids, the people in charge, and she also faces many obstacles preventing her from freedom.
Gender identity is a strong theme behind this story, as females of all positions are deemed as second-class citizens. Females of Gilead are only allowed to be, handmaids, those who have sex with a family’s husband to bear a child for he and his wife, marthas, those who cook and housekeep the home, aunts, those who train, control, and discipline the handmaids, wives, those who marry a commander, or prostitutes at Jezebels. Provided this description, women are at the beck and call of male leads in their lives. They all have to follow strict rules that are put forth by Gilead’s rulers, men. Females are not allowed to read or write and actually have no voice. Provided that, men have the opportunity to take on many roles within this society, as they can actually hold occupations, become eyes who are like government security, or become commanders. I think that gender identity strongly defines who people are within this society – if one is born female, she has limited, enslavement-like options, whereas if one is born male, they have potential to grow in status and position.
Power is certainly illustrated throughout this series in that the power of Gilead’s leaders is what controls the entire storyline. Power resides in the males, the commanders, who make the rules and enforce the policies that keep female voices from being heard. Overall, Gilead is a dictatorship in which all people must abide by all rules; there is no room for negotiation or they will be hung or assassinated. Power is implemented by the men and imposed on all of the women, which works as manipulation and control to keep them enslaved.
I think this series and storyline strongly relates to the concept of othering, as women are othered and mistreated as such. Along with that concept, I think this story does correlate well with Spivak’s Can The Subaltern Speak, as women’s voices and positions are oppressed, they are punished for using any voice, and they abide by the male-pleasing rules to satisfy them and avoid conflict.
