Social Classes In Handmaid's Tale

The Crumbling Hierarchy: Exploring Social Classes in Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale paints a chilling picture of a dystopian future, Gilead, where social stratification is brutally enforced and meticulously maintained. While ostensibly a theocracy, the power structure of Gilead is far more complex than a simple religious hierarchy, featuring distinct social classes with varying levels of power, privilege, and oppression. Understanding these social classes is crucial to grasping the novel's central themes of control, resistance, and the fragility of societal order. This article delves deep into the intricate social hierarchy of Gilead, analyzing the characteristics, roles, and interrelationships of each class, revealing the nuanced ways in which power operates and is challenged within this dystopian society.

The Commanders: The Ruling Elite

At the apex of Gilead's social pyramid sit the Commanders. These are the ruling class, the powerful men who hold political and economic authority. They are the architects of Gilead's oppressive system, benefiting from the enforced servitude of the lower classes. While seemingly united in their power, subtle power dynamics and rivalries exist amongst them. Their wealth and influence are derived from their positions within the ruling council and their control over the limited resources of Gilead. They are not simply religious leaders; they are the political and economic leaders who actively participate in and benefit from the exploitation of women and the suppression of dissent. Their perceived piety and commitment to Gilead's ideology mask their inherent self-interest and ruthlessness. Their access to information and decision-making power is absolute, allowing them to maintain control over the entire social structure.

The Wives: The Keepers of Appearances

Below the Commanders are their Wives. While seemingly privileged compared to other classes, the Wives occupy a complex and ambiguous position within Gilead's hierarchy. They are simultaneously powerful and powerless. Their power stems from their connection to Commanders and their role in maintaining the facade of Gilead's social order. They are expected to be devout, submissive, and fertile, producing heirs for the Commanders. However, their power is conditional; it depends entirely on their husband's favor and their ability to uphold the societal expectations imposed upon them. Their infertility, a common problem in Gilead, renders them vulnerable and even expendable. The Wives experience a unique form of oppression, bound by the expectations of piety and fertility while simultaneously lacking the agency to control their own lives or destinies. Their suffering is a silent struggle, often masked by their seemingly privileged position within Gilead. Serena Joy, a prime example, exemplifies the inner turmoil and suppressed rebellion inherent in this class.

The Handmaids: The Instruments of Reproduction

The Handmaids form the backbone of Gilead’s reproductive system. Stripped of their names and identities, they are reduced to their biological function: to bear children for the Commanders and their Wives. They are the most brutally oppressed class in Gilead, subjected to systematic sexual violence, constant surveillance, and the deprivation of basic human rights. Their lives are rigidly controlled, their movements restricted, and their every action monitored. Despite their seemingly powerless position, Handmaids, as exemplified by Offred, possess a remarkable resilience and capacity for resistance, subtly challenging the system through acts of defiance, both overt and covert. Their shared suffering fosters a sense of solidarity and an unspoken network of support that transcends their individual oppression. The Handmaids represent the ultimate dehumanization and subjugation of women in Gilead, forced to bear the weight of the regime's obsession with reproduction.

The Marthas: The Domestic Servants

The Marthas are the domestic servants of Gilead. Older and often infertile women, they manage the households of Commanders and Wives, responsible for cooking, cleaning, and attending to the household's needs. Although seemingly less oppressed than the Handmaids, the Marthas still live under the constraints of Gilead’s oppressive regime. They have limited freedom and agency, their lives dictated by the needs of their masters. Unlike the Handmaids, the Marthas are not explicitly designated for reproduction, but they are still vulnerable and subject to the whims of the ruling class. Their knowledge of the household’s inner workings and their proximity to the Commanders and Wives afford them opportunities for both collaboration and resistance. Their seemingly subservient roles conceal a capacity for subtle acts of subversion and quiet rebellion.

The Angels: The Enforcers of Order

The Angels, also known as the Eyes, are the enforcers of Gilead’s moral code. They are the police force, maintaining order and suppressing dissent through surveillance, intimidation, and violence. This class is not defined by socioeconomic status but by their role in upholding the regime. They are the visible manifestation of Gilead's oppressive power, their presence constantly reminding citizens of the consequences of non-compliance. The Angels' power lies in their ability to inflict punishment and instill fear. Their anonymity adds to their chilling effectiveness, blurring the lines between individual and state power. While they represent a distinct social function, their motives are varied, ranging from genuine belief in Gilead’s ideology to simple careerism or fear of punishment themselves.

The Econowives: The Working Class

The Econowives represent a somewhat ambiguous position within Gilead’s social hierarchy. They are the wives of the lower-ranking members of society, often working alongside their husbands in manual labor or other less prestigious jobs. Unlike the Wives of Commanders, the Econowives have a greater degree of autonomy, managing their households and participating in the economy, although still under the constraints of Gilead's oppressive regime. Their lives are harder and less comfortable, yet they still maintain a degree of agency compared to the Handmaids. The Econowives’ experiences highlight the stark economic inequalities within Gilead, demonstrating that even within the lower echelons of society, women are subject to significant limitations and oppression.

The Unwomen: The Outcasts

Finally, there are the Unwomen. This group represents those deemed undesirable or unfit by Gilead's strict social order. They include the infertile, those deemed morally corrupt, and those who have resisted the regime. They are exiled to the Colonies, where they perform dangerous and often fatal labor, effectively disappearing from Gilead’s official records. The Unwomen's fate serves as a stark warning to those who might dare to challenge the established order. Their plight demonstrates the ultimate consequence of defying the regime and highlights the brutality and ruthlessness inherent in Gilead's system.

Intersections and Fluidities: Challenging the Rigid Hierarchy

While Atwood establishes a rigid social hierarchy, the novel also suggests fluidity and intersectionality within these classes. The lines between these groups are not always clear-cut, and individual experiences can defy simple categorization. For example, some Wives secretly sympathize with the Handmaids, while some Marthas actively aid in their resistance. The interactions between these classes reveal the complexity of power dynamics and the potential for solidarity even amidst oppressive circumstances. The possibility of shifting allegiances and subtle acts of resistance highlights the inherent fragility of Gilead’s meticulously constructed social order.

The Power of Language and Control: Shaping Social Class

The control exerted by Gilead extends beyond physical limitations; it deeply permeates language itself. The renaming of Handmaids and the carefully constructed vocabulary actively shape their identities and their perceived social roles. The dehumanization inherent in this linguistic control is a central aspect of Gilead's social engineering. The manipulation of language allows the regime to erase individuality and enforce conformity. By stripping individuals of their names and replacing them with designations that reflect their function within the society, Gilead effectively controls their sense of self and their potential for rebellion.

Conclusion: A Testament to Oppression and Resilience

The social classes in The Handmaid’s Tale are not simply static categories; they are the building blocks of a dystopian society built on control, oppression, and the systematic exploitation of its citizens. Atwood meticulously crafts a hierarchy that showcases the various forms and intensities of oppression. The detailed portrayal of these social classes highlights the fragility of seemingly stable power structures and the enduring capacity of the human spirit to resist even the most brutal forms of control. The novel serves as a chilling warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of vigilance in protecting individual freedoms and human rights. The exploration of social classes is not just a backdrop but a central driver of the narrative, highlighting the ways in which power operates on multiple levels and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. By understanding the nuances of Gilead’s social structure, we can gain a deeper understanding of Atwood's powerful critique of totalitarian regimes and her cautionary tale about the potential for societal collapse.