Moira The Handmaid's Tale

In The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Moira’s character is fierce and rebellious, as she battles Gilead’s oppressive system throughout the book. However, the other females subjected to similar treatment do not resist their oppression nearly as much as she does. As Atwood furthers the development of Moira’s character, the differences between her personality and that of the other handmaids’ are brought to light.The author uses diction and similes in order to show that while the other handmaids have come to accept their lives in Gilead, Moira continues to resist.

Essay Example on Who Is Moira Handmaid’s Tale

Moira’s self identification as a lesbian directly challenges the ideals present in Gilead. While the Commander is giving a speech and presenting the new Angels with their brides, he says, “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression”(Atwood 221). In this line, Atwood’s description of the woman’s actions as a “transgression” as well as the emphasis on the fact that Adam wasn’t deceived conveys a sense of male superiority.

The author depicts the male avoiding deception while the female is depicted as being deceived and committing a crime, highlighting the exhortation of women in order to make them feel inferior to and reliant upon their male counterparts. Moira, however, is resistant to these speeches, as she has no desire to be with any males. Her sexual preference allows her to avoid being swayed to the idea that she needs a man to guide her in her life.

Get quality help now

Sweet V

Verified

Proficient in: Communication

4.9 (984)

“ Ok, let me say I’m extremely satisfy with the result while it was a last minute thing. I really enjoy the effort put in. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Unlike Moira, the other handmaids have become brainwashed by the Red Center and are no longer opposed to the new regime proposed by them. While discussing the aftermath of Moira’s escape from Gilead, Offred says that, “Moira had power now, she’d been set loose, she’d set herself loose. She was now a loose woman. I think we found this frightening”(Atwood 135). In these lines, Atwood talks about Moira’s new found power after escaping Gilead, but more im…