As a feminist, The Handmaid’s Tale has been a huge part of my life recently. I feel as if Atwood is completely ludacris or even that far off in what she is writing. Although the novel takes it to extremes, even nowadays women are seen as fertile baby making mechanisms. We’re supposed to get married off, procreate, raise, and die. Our modern day society is even mirrored in the novel again in that in both instances women are silent and subservient to men. In the book, when women do rise up and take a stand, they are labeled “unwomen” and in real life when women stand up they are given nasty names like “Feminazis”, “dykes” and “bitches”.

In my opinion, Atwood wasn’t just writing this as a dystopian fiction, but also as an influential piece of literature to spark conversation and even change in the patriarchal society we live in considering much of the imagery depicted is a dramatization of what we are currently living in. The dehumanization of women has been going on for centuries in western culture, Atwood jusr takes it to the next level and exposes what could be in our future if we continue down the path that we are on.

Thought on Alcoholism

I’ve never really been a preachy kind of person or had really any interest in telling people what to do with their lives, but in the past month watching my mom’s health deteriorate, I’ve become more and more wary of alcohol and want to put out a general warning to anyone who drinks regularly. Be careful. My mom was always just a social drinker, but it eventually got more and more out of hand. Soon she was drinking multiple pints of vodka a day, she sunk into a deep depression, and now she’s almost dead.

My freshman year of high school my mom was in the hospital for 6-8 months with alcohol-induced pancreatitis. Her body was failing and she was on her deathbed. Eventually she pulled through, but was warned that anymore drinking would put her in the hospital and she would most likely never come out. Of course she didn’t listen. With all of her special medications she felt invincible. Until about a month ago. Now she’s back in the hospital, and most likely not getting out any time soon, or ever. She has no control over her breathing, bowels, and is basically a vegetable. All because of cheap liquid you can get at any store or 7-11. She barely knows who I am, where she is, and why she’s in the hospital. The most that can come out of her mouth is “water” or “pain meds” when she needs them. It’s not a good way to live, or have tour children and family see you.

I’ve promised myself that I will never abuse alcohol or really any other harmful substance, and always consider the long term effects these substances have on my body and life. I also want to encourage everyone else to do the same. The feeling drunkness gives you will never be worth your health, independence, and even life.