IB LA HL Allee Devault
Handmaids Tale Imagery Essay December 8, 2011

Imagery and how it relates to characters inner feelings in Margret Atwood’s Handmaids Tale

The use of imagery is a staple in every novel; it gives a much needed visual connection with the themes stated in the novel. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood demonstrates the use of imagery to further solidify the reader’s comprehension of the tense relationship between the characters, Serena Joy and Offred. On page 153, Atwood describes a scene in which, Offred is coming back from the market, and comes upon Serena Joy working in her garden. As we know from previous dialogue in the book, Offred and Serena Joy do not have a very good relationship, (i.e. Serena Joy doesn’t speak to Offred unless she absolutely has to). In this scene, Atwood isolates the image of Serena Joy’s garden, using the type of flowers in the garden and their colors to express how the problematic aspects of the society affect the relationship between Serena Joy and Offred. Atwood states that there are many flowers in Serena Joy’s garden, yet the only flower she mentions by name is the Iris. Irises in many of cultures are viewed as symbols of messages from God, faith, hope, and bravery. In the society of Gilead, religion is the basis of existence. The idea that irises in some cultures are viewed as messages of God, the placement of the flower in Serena Joy’s garden represents how the relationship between Serena Joy and Offred must be religion based. It is also view in the society that handmaids are doing God’s work, that in having baring the children of the commanders, they are doing their “godly” duty to society. Offred, as Serena Joy’s handmaid, is viewed as a divine incubator. Serena Joy must have faith that Offred can get pregnant and bring her the child that she so covets. The