Offred is not a reliable narrator. In the book, she said "I feel drugged. I consider this: maybe they're drugging me. Maybe the life I think I'm living is paranoid delusion" (Atwood 139). However, even though she then denies it at says it's impossible afterwards, it is possible. Offred and the other women are treated like they're a child. They have to "lay in our beds for an hour in the gymnasium" (91) which is like nap time and they're served their meals on trays in which they have to finish completely. They have such little control of their lives that it is possible that someone of higher authority, say an Aunt or Commander's Wife, could have put drugs into their food without them knowing. Therefore, if Offred is drugged, whose to say she's giving readers reliable information. It's just like in the book, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nick wasn't a reliable narrator because he gets drunk and that effects the way he tells the story.
Also, Offred and the other Handmaidens are never told what is happening. They're not allowed to gossip to each other, but when they do, they can only tell each other so little. In the book, all the girls wonders what happened to Moira. She disappeared out of no where and the only explanation they got was a story that "Part of it I [Offred] can fill in myself, part of it I heard from Alma, who heard it from Dolores, who heard it from Janine. Janine heard it from Aunt Lydia" (166). Every story that is passed down, loses some truth to it each time. It could be a fact that was left out, changed, or added. Therefore, Offred could be telling us a story of Moira that may have just been made up. Or since she wasn't actually there when Moira was threatening Aunt Elizabeth, she doesn't fully understand what happened and could be unintentionally giving readers the wrong information. In conclusion, Offred is not a reliable character because she relies on other characters to give her information that may not be true.
Although Tiffany makes some fantastic points, Offred can also be considered reliable in the sense that she is giving the readers any information at all. The book is cast in a time where not much is talked about, and not any one person knows everything, so the fact that Offred is able to give the readers small details of her daily life, encounters with others, information on the setting, and characters shows that she is reliable in that kind of world.
The reader must appreciate that "Any news, now, is better than none" (105). It may seem that Offred is unreliable because of her unsure doubting, or her limited access to information, but these things add to the basis of the book. All the things people take advantage of can easily taken away. Things ranging from material luxuries, communication/friendship, to the obtainment of information. And Offred's paneled narration enables the reader to experience the same limitations that the characters in the book live by.
In conclusion, despite Offred's inability to recall and narrate the ammount of information most readers are accustomed to, she is still a reliable narrator because she is relaying the available information that connects the reader more deeply to the societal changes occuring in the novel.
name: Dan Response: erin and tiff Although I understand Tiff’s point of view, I kind of have to agree with what Erin is saying. What Offred gives us are reliable information as to the changes in the US society. She gives many detailed facts about the life in the Republic of Gilead. Offred tells the readers about how the women in the society are separated, as well as the rules and consequences of the role of the Handmaids, the Wives, the Marthas, the Commander, the Guardians, the Angels, etc. Not only that, but her actions show the emotional changes in this new society and the loss of one’s humanity. When Offred tells the Japanese tourist that they are very happy when asked, she internally says to herself, “I have to say something. What else can I say” ( 39). By sayingthis, Offred is giving the readers valuable information that in this new society, their words and actions are manipulated, as this isn’t how she really feels. There is a lost of individuality in this new society, as Offred and Ofglen are unable to truly express how they truly feel to the Japanese tourist. This gives the readers a reliable information to be able to rightfully conclude that the Republic of Gilead is truly immoral and totalitaric because of their power to force people to say something that they don’t really feel. Therefore, Offred is a reliable narrator. Also, Offred doesn’t give us a one sided point of view about her life in Gilead, but she also leaves open other point of views in this society. After she was “fucked” by the Commander, she looks at Serena Joy, who watched her husband “fuck” Offred and Offred states, “Which of us is it worse for, her or me” (123). By saying this, she is leaving open Serena’s views and her opinions in this situation, which allows the readers to question their first opinions on Serena and think about why she acts the way she does towards Offered. Therefore, Offred is a reliable narrator as she is also giving the readers thoughts on how the other characters might also feel on the plot and not just take her word for it, but to also look at the opinions of the other characters.
No. Offred is anything but a reliable narrator. As I explained in an different question, Offred is a good way to pull the reader further into the story, but in terms of accurately telling the story without bias and misconstrued facts, she fails miserably. The book is not a diary, and so some story sections are made up, like when she tells Moira’s story “Part of it I can fill in myself, part of it I heard from Alma, who heard it from Dolores, who heard it from Janine. Janine Heard it from Aunt Lydia. Aunt Lydia didn’t repeat any of this part to Janine, but I expect Moira said something like it…presumably from the interrogation – “ (Atwood 170). In the first part of the quote, it is obious that she did not hear the story first hand, but from Chinese telephone as girls whispered the story down the line of beds one night. Offred basically is retelling gossip passed through 4 ears, and also adds her own input to it, like when she presumes that Moira did this or that. A reliable narrator would give only true facts and a straightforward story. Offred does not. Therefore she is not a reliable narrator.
Offred is not a reliable narrator because since the story is told from her perspective, it is extremely limited. Although it is her story, the reader is forced to make assumptions about the rest of the world. Offred is able to tell the reader her version of life during this period, but since she is a handmaid, and handmaid's aren't allowed have conversations other than the Wives, Commanders, or other Handwives, they knew very little. Offred mentions that she listens in to the Martha's gossip. She says that she "used to despise such talk. Now i long for it." This shows that the things Offred knows are not from her own knowledge but from someone else who said it.
Since in the Gilead women like Offred have no freedom of speech, the entire story may be written under surveillance of the Eyes, or any other person who keeps an eye on the handmaids. This shows that this entire book may not be Offred actual story which would make her an unreliable narrator.
Although Offred is expected to provide readers reliable information and clues that uncover the mysteries of the drastic change in the Gilead throughout the novel, she fails to uncover the changes in detail to help readers fully understand why change has occurred in the Gilead.
Offred uses flashbacks to describe how life was before the sudden change in the Gilead. For instance, Offred reminisces in the past and describes “large-brimmed hats women used to wear at some period during the old days; hats like enormous halos, festooned with fruit and flowers…like an idea of paradise” (Atwood 165). The beautiful imagery during Offred’s flashback shows that women were able to dress more freely and luxuriously with lots of colors. Now, “handmaids” in the Republic of Gilead must dress conservatively with plain white hats and dull colored dresses that cover their bodies down to their feet (11). The narrator’s use of the flashbacks help compare the difference of how the lives’ of the women were before to the present. The flashback shows that prior to the change in the Gilead that women used to have freedom and choice in their own decisions while now they do not have these rights.
Although Offred is at the climax of presenting readers with great information about the past during her flashback, she makes an unexpected stop, failing to provide readers detailed information of what caused the Gilead society to change. [As Offred was] “too tired to go on with the story…too tired to think about where [she was, she says], ‘Here is a different, a better [story]’” (165). Readers may be disappointed by this shift as the prior information she was sharing may serve a better purpose as it provides readers more information to try to connect the reason for change in this society, which is the main mystery readers must discover to understand the story better. Therefore, Offred isn’t always a trustworthy narrator. As pointed by Paola in her post, Offred gives off limited information and only gives in her perspective. Readers cannot always depend on Offred to give off all the information needed, but must wait for more information about the Gilead’s past to weave together the story.
The author, Margaret Atwood possibly chooses to have Offred not to reveal every detail of the Gilead all at once. It’s possible that the greatest and most important details are revealed at the end. Giving little details throughout the book helps readers connect the information themselves to solve the mystery of the Gilead.
Jeffrey Witter Response to: Alwin and Tiffany I completely and wholeheartedly agree with Alwin's assessment. Offred cannot be considered a reliable narrator because she narrates the story based on second-hand accounts and personal biases. When describing any of the characters she sees around the house, such as Nick, Aunt Lydia, or the Commander, the reader is not presented with a straightforward depiction of the facts. Instead, Offred narrates based on her personal opinions. In addition, at some points in the novel, Offred seems greatly confused as to the truthfulness of her own narration. Tiffany pointed out how it is possible that Offred and other handmaidens were drugged. This is a valid point, but what really throws Offred's narration into question is her own reluctance at presenting the facts. She says, “I am not trying to tell stories, or at any rate, not this one.”(66). Stories usually contain elements of fiction, and the very fact that Offred refers to her narration as a “story” may suggest that her narration may not be entirely truthful. This quote also demonstrates how Offred blurs the lines between fiction and reality. She “is not trying to tell...this story”, which demonstrates her reluctance to be a narrator. This reluctance suggests inaccuracy, and is used by Atwood to create a sense of confusion in the novel. The uncertainty created by Offred's inaccurate narration serves to create an atmosphere similar to what the handmaidens in the novel face. The handmaidens and Offred face confusion and inaccuracies in their day-to-day lives, as they are forbidden to be informed. Through Offred's narration, this confusion is passed to the reader, which emphasizes the dreary and fact-deprived society that Offred lives in.
No Offred is not a reliable narrator. Since Offred is getting older it's kind of impossible for someone to remember so many events from their past in vivid detail. If she kept a diary or journal with everything in it then she would be a reliable narrator, but she doesn't because it's against the law for women to read or write. When Offred is having her flashbacks it seems as if she is just making up parts of the story or seems unsure. When Offred talks about her mother being in marches she says, “it was during the time of the porn riots,or was it the abortion riots,they were close together”(Atwood 233).Offred is unsure whether or not the march is about porn or abortion.Since the riots happened around the same time she could be getting mixed up with events that occurred during the two.
Another reason for her to be an unreliable narrator because some of her stories,that she tells, are usually from someone else. When Offred tells the story about what happened to Moira she says, “Part of it I can fill in myself,part of it I heard from Alma, who heard it from Dolores, who heard it from Janine”(166). Adding to Tiff's idea between Dolores and Alma the story could have mixed up or told wrong giving readers wrong details about Moira's story. Readers are not given any information about how Offred knew about what happened to Moira. For all who knows she could be making up the parts she fills in for herself. Also, Aunt Lydia could be making up parts of the story to make what Moira had did seem more foul.
So far through "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood it seems that the protagonist Offred is not a reliable narrator. This is because all of her information that she receives is from a third hand source or from a news station.
Just like the real world all the information one acquires isn't always the most reliable. Think about it like a game of Telephone. You hear one thing, but as it goes into rotation around the circle some information is misread, changed, or not even took into consideration so what you get in the end is faulty information. For all we know Offred's information about Aunt Lydia could be all a figment of her imagination. For her to remember word for word what Aunt Lydia said is unrealistic unless it was permanently integrated into her memory. In addition, it was stated earlier in the novel that she received information from a Gaurdian or some other source about the war that she stated she didn't know it was true, but what could you believe anymore? Especially with the Guardians being pro war how could you trust them? When someone is bias they tend to mold words and stories into their liking to prove their point even if it isn't reliable. So, due to Offred receiving unreliable data she can't be accurate.
Also, just like the real world, she watches the news to see how the war is progressing. She states that they don't talk of the defeats, but only the victories. Many news stations (Cough cough Fox news) change stories to keep the spirits of those back at home alive and well. If bad news were to get out about a tragedy there would be mass hysteria. Just like a lot of news stations they leave out the defeats to reassure people that they are winning. Just like in history, the history is written by the victor and not by the loser.
Finally, I believe that Offred isn't a reliable narrator because she even stated that she inferred that her best friend would have said something. When Aunt Lydia tells the story of Moira to Janine Offred adds a part about Moira saying she could of killed Aunt Elizabeth. Offred states that she would expect "Miora said something like it" (Atwood 170). If Offred states that she changed a story now how is one to believe that any of the information she states is inferred from a second hand source or just a lie? Just because you know someone doesn't mean you know their every action.
Offred is not a reliable narrator because she relies on other characters to supply her with information. While laying in bed, Offred tells another story, which "part if it I can fill in myself, part of it I heard from Alma, who heard it from Dolores, who heard it from Janine. Janine heard it from Aunt Lydia. There can be alliances even in such places, even under circumstances" (Atwood 166). Even though Offred hasnt heard the story or experienced the situation firsthand, she still relies on the story as valid. Passing stories like these may alter how someone portrays the scene if there would be useful information left out, or if someone misinterpreted the scene from someone else. Since Offred states "there can be alliances" this could mean that if somebody hated someone involved in the story, they would try to make the person look bad. With this, anywhere in the story Offred could be telling false information, or information that leads the reader off. Since alliances are in the house, Offred could be favoring Moira actions, instead of looking at how she could how killed Aunt Elizabeth.
I agree with Alwin and his response to how this book is not a diary. It is obvious that Offred seems to tell stories through what she has heard more so than what she has seen. Since the beginning of the novel she is interested in rumors and listening at doors. She longs for such talks. And as to what Tiffany said about being drugged at the start of chapter 19, Offred is not sure if “the life I think I’m living is a paranoid delusion,” (139) meaning she is not sure if the events happening around her is reality or just her own fantasy. The story seems to be limited as well due to fact that she is mostly interacting with herself because they are being watched and listened to. Offred is not a reliable narrator because most of the things she says is from what she hears through other sources. She also seems to be confused with the events happening around her throughout the novel.
Offred is most definitely not a reliable narrator. Her enigmatic reminiscence of the past distorts her comprehension since "I dream that I get out of bed and walk across the room not this room, and go out the door, not this door. I'm at home, one of my homes,"(139). Offred's self-description suggests that she is indeed a unreliable narrator after dreaming when "I feel drugged",(139). Since Offred often speaks about her previous life, her experience with the present is very limited, giving insufficient information to the reader. Furthermore, Offred suggests that she is drugged, giving away the fact that she cannot be relied upon for narration as any information can be easily false or questionable. Due to Offred's conflicting understanding of the past and present, the story reveals meager information to the reader. She is also prone to being curious of her surroundings, giving the reader the sense that she is unintelligent or behind in terms of occurring events.
No, Offred isn't a reliable narrator because the information she tells the reader is from her point of view only. The scenes in the book is based on how she is feeling and what she thinks of others around her, as she mentions in this scene with one of the commanders, " I knew I was doing something I shouldn't have been doing...I should have felt evil..I was evil,"(Atwood 202). Offred expresses her emotions to the reader but not actually telling what is really going on in the scene, she basses it off on what she is experiencing so the reader doesn't get the full detail of anything else that is going on around her or how others react and/or feel also. To add on to that, Offred gathers information from the other characters in order to tell the reader what is happening which makes it difficult to trust what she is telling the reader. By not getting the information from the source itself, the reader may not know if Offred might have misunderstood what she has heard or if she added more information to what she was told that might have the reader wondering if she is truly telling the truth. Therefore, Offred isn't a reliable narrator because she might have stretched the truth or might tell the reader how others feel or react to what is happening but not fully know if that's exactly how they feel. She bases the reactions or feeling of others by how well she might know them which makes it difficult for the reader because they don't know that she's basing it off on how well she knows them and you can't judge how someone is feeling by how well ou know them.
I have to agree with you Charmaine on how Offred is being very one sided. I didn't realize that until you stated it. Haha. The truth is what we read throughout the novel is a one sided story unlike other novels we have read that gave two sides of the story. It is evident that Offred is indeed one sided when she is with the Commander. She tries to make him and everyone around her seem more evil then they really are. I am not stating what they are doing in the novel isn't wrong, but she makes them seem more sinister then possible in my opinion. Maybe it is through a feminist view, but what Offred states at times seems to be an hyperbole. Especially when she states that that the Commander only wants sex from her. I believe that the Commander just really wants to have some type of fun like he did with the past handmaid that committed suicide in her room. Why would he beat around the bush with Offred when he has the power to do as he pleases? Just a thought.
Offred is not a reliable narrator. Although she reveals information that is not supposed to be divulged there's no possible way of determining whether it is the truth or a lie. Offred says "I'm dreaming that I am awake" at a point in the novel (Atwood 139). If she is unsure of whether she's awake or asleep while telling the story then it could be assumed that this is how she is throughout the entire novel and not just at this one point in time. "Sanity is a valuable possession; I hoard it the way people once hoarded money. I save it, so i will have enough, when the time comes" Offred tells us (140). Since she's saving her sanity for a time when she really needs it then it is not accuract to assume that she's using her sanity throughout the book as she tells us the story. The time for her to use this sanity may have come and pasted, therefore she is unreliable throughout the novel now.
Offred is not a reliable narrator. She has gone through lots of stress and painful experiences that are likely to of warped her memories. When people tell stories, they are telling their own memories of it, which are impacted and effected by their own opinions and beliefs. Due to this, Offred is likely portraying the Aunts and Commanders in a more negative way then they truly are. Offred is also likely not to have a perfect memory, so when she retells her experiences, she is not telling what truly happened, only her mental reconstruction of the event. As Offred goes through more and more stress, she eventually asks “Oh God oh God. How can I keep on living”(Atwood 253). As the events get more and more painful, she is likely to have pushed the most painful ones to the back of her mind to escape the pain. This shows that her retelling of the story might not be entirely what had happen which makes her an unreliable narrator.
Offred is not a reliable narrator because she is only speaking from her point of view. When Ofglen is speaking about the war, Offred thinks to herself "Im ravenous for news, any kind of news; even if its false news" (Atwood 26). Offred lets herself believe whatever she is told just so that she can believe in something. She also starts to alter her own past by trying to believe that her family is now dead. Although she is not aware if it, this can cause a lot of stress on her mind causing her to become unstable. Many of the stories that Offred hears are simply just that: stories. She does not experience what is really going on around her. Aunt Lydia constantly reminds the Handmaids that they do not know how hard it is for the Wives. Offred convinces herself that peoples thoughts and actions can be determined by what group they belong to. This is adds to the arguement that Offred is an unreliable narrartor. Everything is from her perspective so readers are unable to see the story from the eyes of one of the Wives or even one of the prostitutes, such as Moira.
Offred is not a reliable narrator because the story is told through Offred's eyes. Through Offred's narration, the reader is limited to only Offred's point of view. Offred's actions also influences her narration, which is seen in her retelling of Moira's tale of escape. Offred says, "I can't remember exactly, because I had no way of writing it down. I've filled it out for her as much as I can: we didn't have much time so she just gave the outlines." (Atwood 316). Through this, Offred proves herself to be an unreliable narrator. The reader is only told the story from a one sided perspective. This is also seen in how Offred gains information. Offred's sources of information include Ofglen, who in turn hears everything she knows. This also proves that Offred is an unreliable narrator. The plot of the story centers around the events that involve Offred, making the reader see the story through Offred's point of view.
Offred is not a reliable narrator. She remarks in her narration that "maybe the life I think I'm living is a paranoid delusion" (Atwood 139). Considering this, it raises doubts upon the validity of the experiences she regales to us in her role as narrator, as she is expressing doubt in her perception of reality. It is therefore doubtful whether or not she can properly convey events as they occurred without interference from such a conflicted mental persona. Furthermore, she remembers her "mother, years before" (233) proving her time in this society has been a somewhat lengthy period. Although to all appearances, her mental faculties are unimpaired, it is difficult to say whether or not living within such an indoctrinating environment under such dangerous circumstances have affected her mental state. It is therefore difficult as to whether or not her words can be taken at face value.
I believe that Offred is a relatively reliable narrator. Although it may be true, as others have stated, that her memory may not be perfect, it is accurate enough for our understanding of events occurring during and before the book. Regardless, she is a more reliable than other characters in the novel as it is told from her point of view.
As a result, we can only view how others are supposed to act under Gilead's societal customs. Through Offred, we are shown Gilead through the eyes of one coming from our own society. In her thoughts, she scrutinizes faults of this new society, and portray natural emotions towards certain aspects of society. Rather than truly assimilate into the ideology of Gilead, we are shown a more typical, uncontrolled view.
Name: Naftali Posting: Original For the most part, Offred is an extremely reliable narrator. While some of Offred’s information is at points incorrect or received from rather questionable sources, her humility and ability to rely her own faults to the reader. This is present at numerous points across the novel but is most evident in a small paragraph on the bottom of page 316. In it comes on of Offred’s most personal appeals in which she states “I can’t remember exactly, because I had no way of writing it down…as much as I can”(Atwood 316). Above any other quote, this embodies Offred’s humility, and willingness to admit her own flaws. It is this capacity which allows Offred to attain the role of a reliable narrator. While some information may be questionable, or perhaps lacking in truth, Offred’s ability to admit this clears her of misconduct and enables her to remain a reliable narrator.
like most of the other posts I do also feel that the narrator offred is not a reliable narrator. This is proven through the fact that the author has a feeling that she is indeed talking and telling the story to an audience. From the way the narrator states at the end of chapter 7 "i'll pretend that you can hear me"(53). This gives the feeling that the author is directing the audience to believe in whatever is stated by the author. This may cause the author to try to redirect the story to make it sound convincing to what pleases the author. This causes the information that is given to be determined by readers as fact or opinion. Another example of the author being unreliable is at the end of chapter 5 she states "what else can i say?"(39). This is a clear example of how the author is not a fully trustworthy narrator because she does not know what to say next. This is also is supportive of the arguments that the narrator is unreliable because she picks up random info from other characters because she needs to pick up others information. Because she has not a lot to say
Offred is not a reliable narrator. In the book, she said "I feel drugged. I consider this: maybe they're drugging me. Maybe the life I think I'm living is paranoid delusion" (Atwood 139). However, even though she then denies it at says it's impossible afterwards, it is possible. Offred and the other women are treated like they're a child. They have to "lay in our beds for an hour in the gymnasium" (91) which is like nap time and they're served their meals on trays in which they have to finish completely. They have such little control of their lives that it is possible that someone of higher authority, say an Aunt or Commander's Wife, could have put drugs into their food without them knowing. Therefore, if Offred is drugged, whose to say she's giving readers reliable information. It's just like in the book, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nick wasn't a reliable narrator because he gets drunk and that effects the way he tells the story.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Offred and the other Handmaidens are never told what is happening. They're not allowed to gossip to each other, but when they do, they can only tell each other so little. In the book, all the girls wonders what happened to Moira. She disappeared out of no where and the only explanation they got was a story that "Part of it I [Offred] can fill in myself, part of it I heard from Alma, who heard it from Dolores, who heard it from Janine. Janine heard it from Aunt Lydia" (166). Every story that is passed down, loses some truth to it each time. It could be a fact that was left out, changed, or added. Therefore, Offred could be telling us a story of Moira that may have just been made up. Or since she wasn't actually there when Moira was threatening Aunt Elizabeth, she doesn't fully understand what happened and could be unintentionally giving readers the wrong information. In conclusion, Offred is not a reliable character because she relies on other characters to give her information that may not be true.
Although Tiffany makes some fantastic points, Offred can also be considered reliable in the sense that she is giving the readers any information at all. The book is cast in a time where not much is talked about, and not any one person knows everything, so the fact that Offred is able to give the readers small details of her daily life, encounters with others, information on the setting, and characters shows that she is reliable in that kind of world.
ReplyDeleteThe reader must appreciate that "Any news, now, is better than none" (105). It may seem that Offred is unreliable because of her unsure doubting, or her limited access to information, but these things add to the basis of the book. All the things people take advantage of can easily taken away. Things ranging from material luxuries, communication/friendship, to the obtainment of information. And Offred's paneled narration enables the reader to experience the same limitations that the characters in the book live by.
In conclusion, despite Offred's inability to recall and narrate the ammount of information most readers are accustomed to, she is still a reliable narrator because she is relaying the available information that connects the reader more deeply to the societal changes occuring in the novel.
name: Dan
ReplyDeleteResponse: erin and tiff
Although I understand Tiff’s point of view, I kind of have to agree with what Erin is saying. What Offred gives us are reliable information as to the changes in the US society. She gives many detailed facts about the life in the Republic of Gilead. Offred tells the readers about how the women in the society are separated, as well as the rules and consequences of the role of the Handmaids, the Wives, the Marthas, the Commander, the Guardians, the Angels, etc. Not only that, but her actions show the emotional changes in this new society and the loss of one’s humanity. When Offred tells the Japanese tourist that they are very happy when asked, she internally says to herself, “I have to say something. What else can I say” ( 39). By sayingthis, Offred is giving the readers valuable information that in this new society, their words and actions are manipulated, as this isn’t how she really feels. There is a lost of individuality in this new society, as Offred and Ofglen are unable to truly express how they truly feel to the Japanese tourist. This gives the readers a reliable information to be able to rightfully conclude that the Republic of Gilead is truly immoral and totalitaric because of their power to force people to say something that they don’t really feel. Therefore, Offred is a reliable narrator.
Also, Offred doesn’t give us a one sided point of view about her life in Gilead, but she also leaves open other point of views in this society. After she was “fucked” by the Commander, she looks at Serena Joy, who watched her husband “fuck” Offred and Offred states, “Which of us is it worse for, her or me” (123). By saying this, she is leaving open Serena’s views and her opinions in this situation, which allows the readers to question their first opinions on Serena and think about why she acts the way she does towards Offered. Therefore, Offred is a reliable narrator as she is also giving the readers thoughts on how the other characters might also feel on the plot and not just take her word for it, but to also look at the opinions of the other characters.
Name: Alwin
ReplyDeleteResponse: Original Posting
No. Offred is anything but a reliable narrator. As I explained in an different question, Offred is a good way to pull the reader further into the story, but in terms of accurately telling the story without bias and misconstrued facts, she fails miserably. The book is not a diary, and so some story sections are made up, like when she tells Moira’s story “Part of it I can fill in myself, part of it I heard from Alma, who heard it from Dolores, who heard it from Janine. Janine Heard it from Aunt Lydia. Aunt Lydia didn’t repeat any of this part to Janine, but I expect Moira said something like it…presumably from the interrogation – “ (Atwood 170). In the first part of the quote, it is obious that she did not hear the story first hand, but from Chinese telephone as girls whispered the story down the line of beds one night. Offred basically is retelling gossip passed through 4 ears, and also adds her own input to it, like when she presumes that Moira did this or that. A reliable narrator would give only true facts and a straightforward story. Offred does not. Therefore she is not a reliable narrator.
Paola Mendizabal
ReplyDeleteResponse: Original
Offred is not a reliable narrator because since the story is told from her perspective, it is extremely limited. Although it is her story, the reader is forced to make assumptions about the rest of the world. Offred is able to tell the reader her version of life during this period, but since she is a handmaid, and handmaid's aren't allowed have conversations other than the Wives, Commanders, or other Handwives, they knew very little. Offred mentions that she listens in to the Martha's gossip. She says that she "used to despise such talk. Now i long for it." This shows that the things Offred knows are not from her own knowledge but from someone else who said it.
Since in the Gilead women like Offred have no freedom of speech, the entire story may be written under surveillance of the Eyes, or any other person who keeps an eye on the handmaids. This shows that this entire book may not be Offred actual story which would make her an unreliable narrator.
Clarissa Silvestre
ReplyDeleteResponse: Original Response
Although Offred is expected to provide readers reliable information and clues that uncover the mysteries of the drastic change in the Gilead throughout the novel, she fails to uncover the changes in detail to help readers fully understand why change has occurred in the Gilead.
Offred uses flashbacks to describe how life was before the sudden change in the Gilead. For instance, Offred reminisces in the past and describes “large-brimmed hats women used to wear at some period during the old days; hats like enormous halos, festooned with fruit and flowers…like an idea of paradise” (Atwood 165). The beautiful imagery during Offred’s flashback shows that women were able to dress more freely and luxuriously with lots of colors. Now, “handmaids” in the Republic of Gilead must dress conservatively with plain white hats and dull colored dresses that cover their bodies down to their feet (11). The narrator’s use of the flashbacks help compare the difference of how the lives’ of the women were before to the present. The flashback shows that prior to the change in the Gilead that women used to have freedom and choice in their own decisions while now they do not have these rights.
Although Offred is at the climax of presenting readers with great information about the past during her flashback, she makes an unexpected stop, failing to provide readers detailed information of what caused the Gilead society to change. [As Offred was] “too tired to go on with the story…too tired to think about where [she was, she says], ‘Here is a different, a better [story]’” (165). Readers may be disappointed by this shift as the prior information she was sharing may serve a better purpose as it provides readers more information to try to connect the reason for change in this society, which is the main mystery readers must discover to understand the story better. Therefore, Offred isn’t always a trustworthy narrator. As pointed by Paola in her post, Offred gives off limited information and only gives in her perspective. Readers cannot always depend on Offred to give off all the information needed, but must wait for more information about the Gilead’s past to weave together the story.
The author, Margaret Atwood possibly chooses to have Offred not to reveal every detail of the Gilead all at once. It’s possible that the greatest and most important details are revealed at the end. Giving little details throughout the book helps readers connect the information themselves to solve the mystery of the Gilead.
Jeffrey Witter
ReplyDeleteResponse to: Alwin and Tiffany
I completely and wholeheartedly agree with Alwin's assessment. Offred cannot be considered a reliable narrator because she narrates the story based on second-hand accounts and personal biases. When describing any of the characters she sees around the house, such as Nick, Aunt Lydia, or the Commander, the reader is not presented with a straightforward depiction of the facts. Instead, Offred narrates based on her personal opinions. In addition, at some points in the novel, Offred seems greatly confused as to the truthfulness of her own narration. Tiffany pointed out how it is possible that Offred and other handmaidens were drugged. This is a valid point, but what really throws Offred's narration into question is her own reluctance at presenting the facts. She says, “I am not trying to tell stories, or at any rate, not this one.”(66). Stories usually contain elements of fiction, and the very fact that Offred refers to her narration as a “story” may suggest that her narration may not be entirely truthful. This quote also demonstrates how Offred blurs the lines between fiction and reality. She “is not trying to tell...this story”, which demonstrates her reluctance to be a narrator. This reluctance suggests inaccuracy, and is used by Atwood to create a sense of confusion in the novel. The uncertainty created by Offred's inaccurate narration serves to create an atmosphere similar to what the handmaidens in the novel face. The handmaidens and Offred face confusion and inaccuracies in their day-to-day lives, as they are forbidden to be informed. Through Offred's narration, this confusion is passed to the reader, which emphasizes the dreary and fact-deprived society that Offred lives in.
Name: Kim
ReplyDeleteResponse: Original Posting and Tiff
No Offred is not a reliable narrator. Since Offred is getting older it's kind of impossible for someone to remember so many events from their past in vivid detail. If she kept a diary or journal with everything in it then she would be a reliable narrator, but she doesn't because it's against the law for women to read or write. When Offred is having her flashbacks it seems as if she is just making up parts of the story or seems unsure. When Offred talks about her mother being in marches she says, “it was during the time of the porn riots,or was it the abortion riots,they were close together”(Atwood 233).Offred is unsure whether or not the march is about porn or abortion.Since the riots happened around the same time she could be getting mixed up with events that occurred during the two.
Another reason for her to be an unreliable narrator because some of her stories,that she tells, are usually from someone else. When Offred tells the story about what happened to Moira she says, “Part of it I can fill in myself,part of it I heard from Alma, who heard it from Dolores, who heard it from Janine”(166). Adding to Tiff's idea between Dolores and Alma the story could have mixed up or told wrong giving readers wrong details about Moira's story. Readers are not given any information about how Offred knew about what happened to Moira. For all who knows she could be making up the parts she fills in for herself. Also, Aunt Lydia could be making up parts of the story to make what Moira had did seem more foul.
Andrew Pagan
ReplyDeleteOriginal Post
So far through "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood it seems that the protagonist Offred is not a reliable narrator. This is because all of her information that she receives is from a third hand source or from a news station.
Just like the real world all the information one acquires isn't always the most reliable. Think about it like a game of Telephone. You hear one thing, but as it goes into rotation around the circle some information is misread, changed, or not even took into consideration so what you get in the end is faulty information. For all we know Offred's information about Aunt Lydia could be all a figment of her imagination. For her to remember word for word what Aunt Lydia said is unrealistic unless it was permanently integrated into her memory. In addition, it was stated earlier in the novel that she received information from a Gaurdian or some other source about the war that she stated she didn't know it was true, but what could you believe anymore? Especially with the Guardians being pro war how could you trust them? When someone is bias they tend to mold words and stories into their liking to prove their point even if it isn't reliable. So, due to Offred receiving unreliable data she can't be accurate.
Also, just like the real world, she watches the news to see how the war is progressing. She states that they don't talk of the defeats, but only the victories. Many news stations (Cough cough Fox news) change stories to keep the spirits of those back at home alive and well. If bad news were to get out about a tragedy there would be mass hysteria. Just like a lot of news stations they leave out the defeats to reassure people that they are winning. Just like in history, the history is written by the victor and not by the loser.
Finally, I believe that Offred isn't a reliable narrator because she even stated that she inferred that her best friend would have said something. When Aunt Lydia tells the story of Moira to Janine Offred adds a part about Moira saying she could of killed Aunt Elizabeth. Offred states that she would expect "Miora said something like it" (Atwood 170). If Offred states that she changed a story now how is one to believe that any of the information she states is inferred from a second hand source or just a lie? Just because you know someone doesn't mean you know their every action.
Name: Alfie Rafael
ReplyDeleteResponse: Original
Offred is not a reliable narrator because she relies on other characters to supply her with information. While laying in bed, Offred tells another story, which "part if it I can fill in myself, part of it I heard from Alma, who heard it from Dolores, who heard it from Janine. Janine heard it from Aunt Lydia. There can be alliances even in such places, even under circumstances" (Atwood 166). Even though Offred hasnt heard the story or experienced the situation firsthand, she still relies on the story as valid. Passing stories like these may alter how someone portrays the scene if there would be useful information left out, or if someone misinterpreted the scene from someone else. Since Offred states "there can be alliances" this could mean that if somebody hated someone involved in the story, they would try to make the person look bad. With this, anywhere in the story Offred could be telling false information, or information that leads the reader off. Since alliances are in the house, Offred could be favoring Moira actions, instead of looking at how she could how killed Aunt Elizabeth.
I agree with Alwin and his response to how this book is not a diary. It is obvious that Offred seems to tell stories through what she has heard more so than what she has seen. Since the beginning of the novel she is interested in rumors and listening at doors. She longs for such talks. And as to what Tiffany said about being drugged at the start of chapter 19, Offred is not sure if “the life I think I’m living is a paranoid delusion,” (139) meaning she is not sure if the events happening around her is reality or just her own fantasy. The story seems to be limited as well due to fact that she is mostly interacting with herself because they are being watched and listened to. Offred is not a reliable narrator because most of the things she says is from what she hears through other sources. She also seems to be confused with the events happening around her throughout the novel.
ReplyDeleteName: James Cheung
ReplyDeleteResponse: Original
Offred is most definitely not a reliable narrator. Her enigmatic reminiscence of the past distorts her comprehension since "I dream that I get out of bed and walk across the room not this room, and go out the door, not this door. I'm at home, one of my homes,"(139). Offred's self-description suggests that she is indeed a unreliable narrator after dreaming when "I feel drugged",(139). Since Offred often speaks about her previous life, her experience with the present is very limited, giving insufficient information to the reader. Furthermore, Offred suggests that she is drugged, giving away the fact that she cannot be relied upon for narration as any information can be easily false or questionable. Due to Offred's conflicting understanding of the past and present, the story reveals meager information to the reader. She is also prone to being curious of her surroundings, giving the reader the sense that she is unintelligent or behind in terms of occurring events.
Name: Charmaine
ReplyDeleteResponse: Original Post
No, Offred isn't a reliable narrator because the information she tells the reader is from her point of view only. The scenes in the book is based on how she is feeling and what she thinks of others around her, as she mentions in this scene with one of the commanders, " I knew I was doing something I shouldn't have been doing...I should have felt evil..I was evil,"(Atwood 202).
Offred expresses her emotions to the reader but not actually telling what is really going on in the scene, she basses it off on what she is experiencing so the reader doesn't get the full detail of anything else that is going on around her or how others react and/or feel also. To add on to that, Offred gathers information from the other characters in order to tell the reader what is happening which makes it difficult to trust what she is telling the reader. By not getting the information from the source itself, the reader may not know if Offred might have misunderstood what she has heard or if she added more information to what she was told that might have the reader wondering if she is truly telling the truth. Therefore, Offred isn't a reliable narrator because she might have stretched the truth or might tell the reader how others feel or react to what is happening but not fully know if that's exactly how they feel. She bases the reactions or feeling of others by how well she might know them which makes it difficult for the reader because they don't know that she's basing it off on how well she knows them and you can't judge how someone is feeling by how well ou know them.
Andrew Pagan
ReplyDeleteResponse to Charmaine
I have to agree with you Charmaine on how Offred is being very one sided. I didn't realize that until you stated it. Haha. The truth is what we read throughout the novel is a one sided story unlike other novels we have read that gave two sides of the story. It is evident that Offred is indeed one sided when she is with the Commander. She tries to make him and everyone around her seem more evil then they really are. I am not stating what they are doing in the novel isn't wrong, but she makes them seem more sinister then possible in my opinion. Maybe it is through a feminist view, but what Offred states at times seems to be an hyperbole. Especially when she states that that the Commander only wants sex from her. I believe that the Commander just really wants to have some type of fun like he did with the past handmaid that committed suicide in her room. Why would he beat around the bush with Offred when he has the power to do as he pleases? Just a thought.
Name:Jacky
ReplyDeletePosting:Original
Offred is not a reliable narrator. Although she reveals information that is not supposed to be divulged there's no possible way of determining whether it is the truth or a lie. Offred says "I'm dreaming that I am awake" at a point in the novel (Atwood 139). If she is unsure of whether she's awake or asleep while telling the story then it could be assumed that this is how she is throughout the entire novel and not just at this one point in time. "Sanity is a valuable possession; I hoard it the way people once hoarded money. I save it, so i will have enough, when the time comes" Offred tells us (140). Since she's saving her sanity for a time when she really needs it then it is not accuract to assume that she's using her sanity throughout the book as she tells us the story. The time for her to use this sanity may have come and pasted, therefore she is unreliable throughout the novel now.
Alex Tsang
ReplyDeleteOrigional Posting
Offred is not a reliable narrator. She has gone through lots of stress and painful experiences that are likely to of warped her memories. When people tell stories, they are telling their own memories of it, which are impacted and effected by their own opinions and beliefs. Due to this, Offred is likely portraying the Aunts and Commanders in a more negative way then they truly are. Offred is also likely not to have a perfect memory, so when she retells her experiences, she is not telling what truly happened, only her mental reconstruction of the event. As Offred goes through more and more stress, she eventually asks “Oh God oh God. How can I keep on living”(Atwood 253). As the events get more and more painful, she is likely to have pushed the most painful ones to the back of her mind to escape the pain. This shows that her retelling of the story might not be entirely what had happen which makes her an unreliable narrator.
Name: Genesis
ReplyDeleteResponse: Original Post
Offred is not a reliable narrator because she is only speaking from her point of view. When Ofglen is speaking about the war, Offred thinks to herself "Im ravenous for news, any kind of news; even if its false news" (Atwood 26). Offred lets herself believe whatever she is told just so that she can believe in something. She also starts to alter her own past by trying to believe that her family is now dead. Although she is not aware if it, this can cause a lot of stress on her mind causing her to become unstable. Many of the stories that Offred hears are simply just that: stories. She does not experience what is really going on around her. Aunt Lydia constantly reminds the Handmaids that they do not know how hard it is for the Wives. Offred convinces herself that peoples thoughts and actions can be determined by what group they belong to. This is adds to the arguement that Offred is an unreliable narrartor. Everything is from her perspective so readers are unable to see the story from the eyes of one of the Wives or even one of the prostitutes, such as Moira.
Vincent Gepila
ReplyDeleteOriginal Post
Offred is not a reliable narrator because the story is told through Offred's eyes. Through Offred's narration, the reader is limited to only Offred's point of view. Offred's actions also influences her narration, which is seen in her retelling of Moira's tale of escape. Offred says, "I can't remember exactly, because I had no way of writing it down. I've filled it out for her as much as I can: we didn't have much time so she just gave the outlines." (Atwood 316). Through this, Offred proves herself to be an unreliable narrator. The reader is only told the story from a one sided perspective. This is also seen in how Offred gains information. Offred's sources of information include Ofglen, who in turn hears everything she knows. This also proves that Offred is an unreliable narrator. The plot of the story centers around the events that involve Offred, making the reader see the story through Offred's point of view.
Name: Matthew
ReplyDeleteResponse: Original Post
Offred is not a reliable narrator. She remarks in her narration that "maybe the life I think I'm living is a paranoid delusion" (Atwood 139). Considering this, it raises doubts upon the validity of the experiences she regales to us in her role as narrator, as she is expressing doubt in her perception of reality. It is therefore doubtful whether or not she can properly convey events as they occurred without interference from such a conflicted mental persona. Furthermore, she remembers her "mother, years before" (233) proving her time in this society has been a somewhat lengthy period. Although to all appearances, her mental faculties are unimpaired, it is difficult to say whether or not living within such an indoctrinating environment under such dangerous circumstances have affected her mental state. It is therefore difficult as to whether or not her words can be taken at face value.
Michael Tamin
ReplyDeleteOP
I believe that Offred is a relatively reliable narrator. Although it may be true, as others have stated, that her memory may not be perfect, it is accurate enough for our understanding of events occurring during and before the book. Regardless, she is a more reliable than other characters in the novel as it is told from her point of view.
As a result, we can only view how others are supposed to act under Gilead's societal customs. Through Offred, we are shown Gilead through the eyes of one coming from our own society. In her thoughts, she scrutinizes faults of this new society, and portray natural emotions towards certain aspects of society. Rather than truly assimilate into the ideology of Gilead, we are shown a more typical, uncontrolled view.
Name: Naftali
ReplyDeletePosting: Original
For the most part, Offred is an extremely reliable narrator. While some of Offred’s information is at points incorrect or received from rather questionable sources, her humility and ability to rely her own faults to the reader. This is present at numerous points across the novel but is most evident in a small paragraph on the bottom of page 316. In it comes on of Offred’s most personal appeals in which she states “I can’t remember exactly, because I had no way of writing it down…as much as I can”(Atwood 316). Above any other quote, this embodies Offred’s humility, and willingness to admit her own flaws. It is this capacity which allows Offred to attain the role of a reliable narrator. While some information may be questionable, or perhaps lacking in truth, Offred’s ability to admit this clears her of misconduct and enables her to remain a reliable narrator.
like most of the other posts I do also feel that the narrator offred is not a reliable narrator. This is proven through the fact that the author has a feeling that she is indeed talking and telling the story to an audience. From the way the narrator states at the end of chapter 7 "i'll pretend that you can hear me"(53). This gives the feeling that the author is directing the audience to believe in whatever is stated by the author. This may cause the author to try to redirect the story to make it sound convincing to what pleases the author. This causes the information that is given to be determined by readers as fact or opinion. Another example of the author being unreliable is at the end of chapter 5 she states "what else can i say?"(39). This is a clear example of how the author is not a fully trustworthy narrator because she does not know what to say next. This is also is supportive of the arguments that the narrator is unreliable because she picks up random info from other characters because she needs to pick up others information. Because she has not a lot to say
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