The lens I chose: Archetypal

Here was my definition of archetypal:

A concept and analysis of the behavior and repetition in literary texts. It can be a series of
symbolism, similes, metaphors, and lists as a character type in the story. This character type is
universally understood, like the bad guy and the good guy, the victim and the hero. This can be
more than a type of character; it can be symbolism that is universally recognizable as well, like
black is evil and light is good. The archetypal literature is a technique to understand and grasp
the meaning of the book more. It helps everyone understand the book universally while helping
it underlie the book with meaning.

Here is 3-5 points of critique

1.Dystopian Archetypes

HMT uses archetypal elements commonly found in dystopian literature. Using totalitarian
regimes and the main character resisting these oppressive forces. For example, Offred is
completely oppressed by the environment around her, forcing her to become a hand maid
where her freedom is reduced to none at all. She is constantly disagreeing with the forces and
constantly rebelling in small acts such as theft to show her willingness to rebel.

2. Mother/fertility Archetypes

HMT heavily relies on the archetype of fertility and motherhood, having women only seen as
babymakers. This archetype oversimplifies the role of women, which was atwoods intention
because that is how society views women. It adds a dynamic role to the archetype by adding
character to the women behind the mother/fertility archetype. We see this archetype when all
the women are forced to try to make babies and saying it's their fault if they dont get pregnant.
We can see the true impact of this on their minds when one of the women gets pregnant and
has a baby and all the handmaids are dizzy with jealousy because when she's pregnant she is
safe and gets freedom.

3. Religious Archetypes

The use of religious symbolism and archetypes are used in HMT in the form of the theocratic
Republic of Gilead, presenting only a one sided view of religion to the people. Forcing everyone
to view this religion as the sole religion. The religion archetype can be viewed as a cultish kind
of archetype that uses the religion to control the people. This is what makes Offred and the rest
of the handmaids cover up all the time and do all that religious stuff all the time in the name of
God. This is what makes Offred unable to trust anyone else for a long time because she thinks
everyone else actually believes in everything they tell them.
4. Symbolic Archetype

HMT commonly uses common symbolism that are therefore archetypes. For example, the red
robes, the commander's wife and the eye symbolism is commonly used and expressed to
develop the story and is common symbolism in other books. The color red is seen as passion,
blood and anger. The commander's wife is seen as symbolizing the contradictions and
consequences of the regime. Her symbolism is even rooted in her name ironically, as Serena
means peace, while Joy means happiness. However, her life is the opposite, having constant
frustration, unfulfilled desires, and the inability to conceive. The eyes are used universally to
represent what is watching, in HMT the eyes are the secret police symbolizing the constant
control and fear in this society.

I believe Atwood decided to use these archetypes to help develop the story, making it easier for
the readers to understand. It's used as a tool to resonate with the readers, using archetypes that
they know to help form this society. It makes the theme of the book universally understood.
Archetypes can also be used to relate with readers because they've seen the same archetypes
in other books, they can easily connect it with other books that they loved and feel more
connected with the book. Making the book have an emotional resonance with many readers.
Atwood archetypes can also be viewed as making a commentary on culture. By using
archetypes to comment on topics like social norms, gender roles and the hero and the villain,
Atwood is able to make a social commentary that is able to resonate with readers.