THT Blog #1-Pre-Reading The Handmaid's Tale: Exploring the Epigraphs (Primary Blog Entry only!) - There is a quick turnaround on this assignment as we start the Reading Schedule ASAP.

1/28/2026

Margaret Atwood employs three epigraphs at the beginning of The Handmaid's Tale to establish the novel's tone. Based on the epigraphs provided, analyze how each epigraph contributes to an understanding of:

The dystopian world of Gilead.
The central thematic topics of power, control, and survival.
The author's possible message about society.

Use evidence from the epigraphs to explain how they introduce some of the possible ideas explored in the novel. You should write at least one paragraph (80-100 words-ish) for each epigraph, clearly linking the quotation to your analysis.

Successful responses will cover:

Interpreation and Understanding:
- Clearly explain what the epigraph suggests about the themes in the novel.
- Consider how Atwood might be using epigraphs to set the tone of the story (e.g., dystopian-speculative, satirical, critical).
Evidence and Explanation:
- Include specific references or quotes from the epigraphs to support your ideas.
- Use literary terminology accurately (e.g., anachronistic, imperative, metaphor, satire) to enhance your analysis.
Relevance to Context:
- Consider the relevance of each epigraph to a speculative dystopian world and how it might reflect on real-world concerns.

Key Terms:
Anachronistic: Something that seems to belong to a different time period than the one it is portrayed in.
Imperative: A command or instruction given in the form of a sentence that starts with a verb.
Metaphor: A way of describing something by comparing or calling it something else, creating a vivid image or meaning.
Satire: A way of using humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock societal issues, individuals, or systems.

Epigraph #1
“And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister*; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.” - Genesis 30:1-3

Epigraph #2
But as to myself, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal....
-Jonathan Swift, A Modest Proposal

Epigraph #3
‘In the desert there is no sign that says, “Thou shalt not eat stones.”’ - Sufi Proverb

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): Minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add a word count. Due by 11:59 pm Friday night, 1/30/2026!

Ofowen

1/30/2026 01:55:23 pm

Epigraph 1: In this epigraph, Rachel seems as though she cant have children and envy's her sister for being able to have children. She commands Jacob, her husband. "Give me children or else I die." and then proceeds to tell Jacob that he can go up on her maid and give her children instead and then they can claim that as their child. This also goes to show that back in the day if you wanted to keep marriage it was very big to have children. Which in this book, might be a very big society factor of bearing children to keep a marriage. This is also an Anachronistic because this was pulled from the bible genesis as in which it uses "thee" and kindled" while the book itself is set in modern contemporary. Its also an imperative because the first sentence starts with the word "and" and then ends in a command "Give me children, or else I die."

Epigraph 2: As I did some research to really understand what this one meant. Apparently this was back in the day when the Irish wasn't getting enough food to feed their family and so the man Jonathan Swift that wrote this made the "proposal" to sell children off for them to get fed. But, of course this was satire and he was not actually being serious. Hence why its called " a modest proposal" But, connecting it to the book as it is a dystopian world, and this epigraph is dystopian, they probably want to warn or foreshadow that scenarios like this have had likely happened before (something like that). Not exactly the selling of children, but the selling of women.

Epigraph 3: In this one, it is saying that when you go to a desert there is no sign that says you shouldn't eat any stones, and that is obvious in a way, isn't it? but this can be seen as a metaphor as in a way the stones are women and it should be obvious to not belittle women and treat them like we are equal to anyone else. Like we should not have to do certain things or where certain things if we don't want to, there doesn't have to be sign of it or a rule in a way set on women. “Thou shalt not eat stones.” can refer to it being as though you should not mistreat women.

Ofben

1/30/2026 03:57:15 pm

Epigraph #1: This short yet resonant epigraph is taken from the Book of Genesis in the Bible. In this passage, Rachel, who cannot have children herself, forces her maid Bilhah to have children with her husband, Jacob. In frustration, Rachel demands, “...Give me children or else I die.” Her strict tone conveys control and power, specifically over reproduction and women’s bodies. This likely reflects the themes of government surveillance and control over women in Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, as women within the novel are forced into being surrogates for wealthy families. Atwood’s anachronistic reference to the Book of Genesis introduces what are likely some of the novel’s key themes: power, control, and oppression. By introducing this epigraph as the first thing her readers see, Atwood also establishes the theme and importance of biblical allusions in her novel.

Epigraph #2: In this second epigraph, Atwood quotes Johnathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal, a satirical essay that offers absurdist solutions to the extreme poverty, overpopulation, and famine in Ireland during the 18th century. By referencing Swift’s essay, Atwood effectively draws parallels between Swift’s and Gilead’s (the government in her novel) “solutions” to societal issues; similar to Swift’s satirical proposal to eat children to solve hunger, Gilead treats women’s bodies as objects in order to solve the infertility crisis. Swift describes himself as “fortunately” falling upon his proposal, which is a piece that Atwood uses to further critique the objectification and commodification of women’s bodies. By drawing parallels to her novel and Swift’s work, Atwood introduces the novel’s central themes and warnings by satirically criticizing modern society’s control over women’s lives, choices, and bodies.

Epigraph #3: The final epigraph is from a concise Sufi proverb that states “Thou shalt not eat stones” when there is no sign in a desert indicating not to do so. Atwood uses this short proverb as a metaphor for human desire and power, because if there is nothing telling people they cannot do something, what is stopping them from doing it? A similar logic can apply to the government power and control in Atwood’s novel; when there is no one stopping Gilead’s cruel, powerful regime from oppressing women, the government will continue to enact their pervasive and violent policies. Through her use of this proverb, Atwood highlights the extremes that humanity can go to when it is on the brink of survival, without regard for natural laws or morals.

OFBRIAN

1/30/2026 08:53:23 pm

Epigraph #1: Genesis introduces the biblical foundation of Gilead’s reproductive system. Rachel’s command, “Give me children, or else I die,” frames fertility as a matter of survival rather than choice. The description of Bilhah bearing children “upon my knees” reduces women to vessels, foreshadowing the treatment of Handmaids as reproductive property. By using scripture anachronistically, Atwood suggests that Gilead selectively revives religious texts to justify domination. This epigraph establishes that authority in Gilead is constructed, not divine, and exposes how faith can be manipulated to enforce control and erase female autonomy.

Epigraph #2: The second epigraph, taken from Jonathan Swift’s satirical essay A Modest Proposal, introduces satire as a guiding lens for the novel. Swift famously presents a morally outrageous solution in calm, rational language, exposing how logic can be used to justify cruelty. His dismissal of “vain, idle, visionary thoughts” mirrors Gilead’s defense of extreme social restructuring in the name of practicality. By invoking Swift, Atwood warns that horrific systems can be framed as reasonable solutions to social problems, encouraging readers to question authority and recognize how rational language normalizes oppression.

Epigraph #3: The final epigraph, drawn from a Sufi proverb, introduces moral ambiguity as a central theme of the novel. The saying suggests that there is no explicit rule against eating stones because such an act would occur only under extreme desperation. This idea reflects the conditions within Gilead, where survival replaces moral choice and individuals are forced into actions they might otherwise reject. By invoking this proverb, Atwood emphasizes that unethical behavior is produced by oppressive circumstances rather than inherent human cruelty. The epigraph shifts responsibility away from individuals and instead condemns the social system that makes moral compromise unavoidable.

Ofsam

1/30/2026 09:06:45 pm

Epigraph 1
This epigraph establishes the ideological foundation of Gilead by revealing how women's bodies are reduced to instruments for reproduction. We see Rachel's desperate plea: "Give me children, or else I die," which shows how a woman's value is measured by her fertility, a belief that becomes institutionalized in Gilead. Jacob's response reinforces male authority and emotional detachment. Rachel's decision to offer her maid Bilhah as a surrogate mirrors the Handmaid system, introducing themes of power, control, and survival.

Epigraph 2
This epigraph makes use of irony and reversal of normal moral values in "The Handmaid's Tale." This part of Swift's essay presents a shocking, inhumane solution to social problems in a calm rational tone, which parallels how Gilead justifies its cruelty through logic, religion, and "necessity." The speaker's weariness with "vain, idle, visionary thoughts" reflects a society that abandons compassion in favor of efficiency and control. Similarly, Gilead frames its oppressive policies as practical responses to declining birth rates. Atwood uses this epigraph to warn that when societies prioritize order and survival over humanity, they can normalize extreme abuses of power.

Epigraph 3
This epigraph emphasizes the theme of survival under extreme deprivation and it also helps frame the psychological reality of Gilead. The proverb suggests that when basic needs are not met, moral rules and choices lose meaning because survival becomes the priority. In the "desert," there are no prohibitions because there are no real options, like in Gilead, individuals obey not because they believe in the rules, but because resistance often means death. Atwood uses this to suggest that oppressive societies create conditions so harsh that people adapt to cruelty, which reveals that control is not maintained through power, but through enforced fear.

Ofmike

1/30/2026 09:25:55 pm

Epigraph 1: The first epigraph comes from the Bible, Genesis 30:1-3, and introduces the idea of using religion to justify control. In the passage, Rachel can't have children and feels desperate, saying "give me children, or else I die." She then gives her servant Bilihah to her husband Jacob so that Bilihah can have children for her and act as a surrogate. This suggests that the story takes place in a society where women are mainly valued for their ability to reproduce. This idea connects to the dystopian world of Gilead, where reproduction is controlled by those in power. This anachronistic usage of an old biblical story sets a dystopian tone and shows how old religious texts can be taken out of context and used to support unfair systems of power and control. This reflects real-world issues about how religion can be misused and end up limiting personal freedom.

Epigraph 2: The second epigraph comes from a satirical essay by Jonathan Swift. In “A Modest Proposal”, Swift uses satire to suggest an extreme solution to a serious problem and to criticize society. The phrase “vain, idle, visionary thoughts” shows frustration and desperation. By including this epigraph, Atwood suggests that Gilead may be built on ideas that seem reasonable to those in charge, but in reality are harmful. This epigraph introduces the theme of power and control by showing how leaders can justify cruel actions when they think their ideas will fix society. It also creates a critical tone, warning readers not to accept authority without questioning it, which can lead to suffering. In a real-world context, it reflects concerns about how governments or societies can use certain logics or ideologies to defend actions that cause harm to people.

Epigraph 3: The final epigraph uses a metaphor to explain survival. The proverb “In the desert there is no sign that says, ‘Thou shalt not eat stones,”” suggests that in desperate situations, normal rules don’t apply. This contrasts with the strict imperatives that those in power often impose, showing that survival often comes before obedience. Atwood may be using this epigraph to show how people adapt when living under harsh conditions. In Gilead, oppressed people often face impossible choices where breaking rules may be necessary to live. This sets a dystopian and critical tone and reflects real-life issues about how extreme environments can end up forcing people to abandon their morality and make unjust choices just to survive.

- Word Count: 406

Offlarry

1/30/2026 09:38:41 pm

In epigraph 1, Rachel, unfortunately, can't have children and is jealous of her sister for being able to do so. So Rachel instructs Jacob, her husband. "Give me children or else I die." So then Jacob then becomes angry with Rachel because she could bear children like her sister Leah could saying, “And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?”(Atwood), showing that he is very special in God’s eyes, so you can’t bear any children which was significant back in those days because if you wanted to be wed, you needed to have good breeding. At the time this book was written, bearing children was a major source of social status, so parents had a reason to stay together. Because of this, Rachel tells Jacob that he will mate with her maid so she will give her children, saying, “And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.”(Atwood) The reason why Rachel said this is because instead of having children of her own, which she can’t have, she would then have her husband mate with her lady and mistress, and claim that as their child, thinking it's going to be the same idea of having a child of her own. This is also historical because it was drawn especially from the book of Genesis, while the book itself is set in the modern era. It's also imperative because the first sentence starts with the word "and", showing a sense of a story going on, but then ends in a command: "Give me children, or else I die."

Epigraph 2 was kinda confusing but what I interpret from this is, the author Jonathan Swift was in my opinion poor, but was very smart sharing his ideas to people, trying to get them to understand a new age of life for many years, “But as to myself, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts” (Swift). But as time went on, he started getting weary of sharing those opinions because people didn't understand them, his wisdom wanting so badly for people to see what he sees. Still, people were not getting it, so I think he fell into a feeling of desperation instead of hope: “I fortunately fell upon this proposal” (Swift).

In epigraph 3, it is saying that when you go to a desert no sign says you shouldn't eat any stones, which is true, but it also saying that when your in the desert, anything can happen, meaning that yes, you shouldn’t eat stones, but that doesn't mean you shouldn’t have to make sacrifices and survive as well. The Proverb says, “In the desert there is no sign that says, Thou shalt not eat stones.” (Sufi Proverbs). This means that anything can go when you're trying to survive, so when in doubt, drastic times call for drastic measures!

OFTOM

1/30/2026 09:40:43 pm

Margaret Atwood's novel Handmaid's Tale depicts a dystopian society in which individuals are compelled to follow rigid, perverted religious doctrines and are urged to observe and interrogate one another. At the beginning of the story, the author uses three epigraphs to reinforce the Gilead regime's dynamic power. Margaret's use of literary devices, such as tone and metaphor, establishes the author's point of view regarding the limitations placed on women's ability to have children and choose their partners.

Epigraph #1: Rachel’s inability to bear a child for her husband, Jacob, leads to extreme jealousy, causing her to ruin her husband's reputation. Rachel telling Jacob ‘’Give me children, or else I die’’ shows her trying to take control of the situation by forcing her husband to sleep with another maid, Bilhah, to get what she wants. This shows that Rachel was influenced by her culture because a woman’s worth was closely linked to motherhood. At that time, a woman’s value was largely measured by her ability to bear children. Society likely saw it as a disgrace for a woman to be in a relationship for so long and not be able to bear an heir to her husband. Based on the biblical account in Genesis 30, Rachel’s imperative towards her husband led her into desperation as she prioritized her desire for children over the emotional well-being of her husband. Her actions reveal how social expectations can drive someone to make complicated decisions.

Epigraph #2: Swift's real intention was to make readers confront the immorality of using people as resources, but he pretended to be sympathetic in order to get society to pay attention. Swift's sardonic tone draws attention to the ways in which society denies women a voice and authority because it views them as inferior. Instead of addressing the issues it creates, Swift uses satire to criticize a society that sees women as powerless. Swift illustrates how women are ignored and controlled by those in positions of power using the harsh methods of society. Women are denied choice and the power to rule; their value is based only on what they can produce or offer. By incorporating Swift’s ‘’proposal’’, Atwood highlights how long-standing societal attitudes are the root cause of women’s oppression. Her desperation foreshadows the control and oppression women face in Gilead, where reproductive roles are strictly regulated.

Epigraph #3: The Sufi proverb in the third epigraph highlights how Gilead's laws control women without actually protecting them, endangering their lives and reproductive roles, and demonstrates that strict rules alone cannot ensure survival. The metaphor "Thou shalt not eat stones" represents a hostile desert setting with no escape. In order to survive in the desert, one must sometimes make tough decisions rather than depending on direction or authority. Gilead's society is harsh and unjust, but women's lives are governed by strict laws. However, just as the desert offers no guidance, rules do not make life safe.

*** Word Count -- 485 words***

Ofgeorge

1/30/2026 10:29:58 pm

Epigraph 1 describes Rachel being unable to conceive, forcing her husband Jacob to conceive with her maid. This gives into the dystopian world of Gilead by representing how women are forced to conceive or they die, representing the harsh realities of the setting of this novel. It also shows themes of survival as women must birth to live in these harsh conditions. A system was created where women are valued as a “walking womb,” showing themes of power and control over them. The epigraph states, “and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die,” showing the cruel conditions women must survive through. The message Atwood conveys is the dehumanization of women. Women’s values are reduced due to their reproductive capacity and are killed if they do not conceive.

In Epigraph 2, Swift’s passage claims he has tried everything, and out of desperation, arrives at an extreme “proposal.” This mirrors Gilead’s justification for its laws. Swift treats poor people’s bodies as resources to be managed for the “greater good.” Women’s bodies are reduced to their reproductive function and they are renamed and controlled by the state, representing the themes of power and control. In Swift’s satire, survival depends on accepting the proposal, no matter how dehumanizing. Atwood wanted to show that dystopian societies are not created by chaos alone, but organized cruelty.

In Epigraph 3, it is highlighted that in desperate, lawless situations, humanity often resorts to extreme, unnatural, or forbidden behavior just to survive. The dehumanizing actions in Gilead are extreme violations of human dignity, yet occur because of a “drought” of fertility. Atwood emphasizes that moral, social, and human boundaries should be understood without written rules. In the epigraph, “eat stones” represents a desperate action that nobody would naturally consider. Overall, the epigraph implies that when something is wrong, rules are unnecessary, it highlights the inhuman nature of society built in this novel.

ofwill

1/30/2026 10:46:53 pm

Epigraph 1: The epigraph from Genesis sets the foundation of Gilead by presenting reproduction as a woman's main value. Rachel's desperate command of "Give me children, or else I die," frames how much importance is placed on fertility. When Rachel offers her servant Bilhah to Jacob so she can have children through her, Bilhah is being treated like a solution to a problem rather than a person. This connects to the society of Gilead where reproduction is controlled by those in power. Atwoods use of an anachronistic religious text helps show how old religious texts can be reused to support an unfair system of control.
Epigraph 2: The second epigraph from Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal, uses satire to present a very extreme idea in a reasonable and calm tone. The phrase "vain, idle, visionary thoughts" suggest the speaker is tired of ideas that do not lead to quick solutions. By including this epigraph, Atwood shows that Gilead may be build on ideas that seem logical to those in charge but then end up causing harm. This epigraph shows the themes of power and control by showing how cruel actions can be justified as necessary for survival.
Epigraph 3: The last epigraph uses a metaphor to show how survival works in extreme situations. The proverb suggests that in a "desert" people do not need rules because their main concern to stay alive. This connects to Gilead, where people often follow rules out of fear rather than because they believe in them. Atwood uses this epigraph to show how harsh conditions can force people to change how they think and act. it highlights survival as an important theme and suggests that control is often maintained by fear rather than choice
WC:283

Ofcharles

1/30/2026 11:25:27 pm

The biblical epigraph from Genesis helps establish the dystopian world of Gilead by showing how religion is used to justify control. In the passage, the handmaid is valued only for her ability to have children, which mirrors how women are treated in Gilead. This introduces the theme of power through religious authority and shows how scripture can be manipulated to support oppression. Atwood seems to suggest that when religion is interpreted selectively and used by those in power, it can be turned into a tool that strips people of autonomy rather than offering guidance.

The epigraph from A Modest Proposal introduces satire as a way to critique systems of control. Swift’s suggestion that poor women’s bodies can be used for survival is intentionally disturbing, which parallels how Gilead treats women as resources instead of people. Atwood uses this satirical reference to show how cruelty can be disguised as logic or necessity. This epigraph connects to the themes of power and survival by suggesting that when society prioritizes order and efficiency, it becomes easier to justify dehumanization.

The Sufi proverb emphasizes survival in extreme conditions and sets a bleak tone for the novel. The metaphor suggests that when people are pushed into desperation, moral boundaries disappear. This reflects life in Gilead, where fear forces individuals to accept injustice in order to survive. Atwood uses this epigraph to suggest that oppressive systems rely not only on authority but also on the desperation of the people living under them. It introduces the idea that survival can come at the cost of personal morality.

Ofandrew

1/30/2026 11:49:44 pm

Epigraph 1-The first epigraph is a nod to one of the stories found in the first book of the bible in which there is a man names jacoub and he has two wives the first called Leah has given birth to many children to jacob but Rachel his second wife is barren and in jelousy and frustration he gives his wife for him to give child and to me this eludes to a aspect of searching for answers for various problems in diffrent places that may hurt to go though.But this is also a form of reproductive exploitation.By drawing directly from scripture, Atwood critiques how religious texts can be selectively interpreted to justify systemic oppression, especially when phrased as divine imperatives rather than moral choices.

The second epigraph, taken from Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal (“I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts…”), signals the novel’s satirical undercurrent. Swift’s essay is a famous example of satire that exposes social cruelty by presenting barbaric solutions in a calm, rational tone. Similarly, Gilead’s leaders frame their brutal policies as reasonable and necessary, revealing how authoritarian regimes often disguise violence behind logic and tradition.

Finally, the Sufi proverb—“In the desert there is no sign that says, Thou shalt not eat stones”—functions as a metaphor for human desperation and moral erosion. In extreme conditions, people may accept suffering as inevitable rather than resist it. This epigraph reflects how citizens of Gilead gradually normalize oppression, mirroring real-world concerns about how fear and instability can lead societies to surrender freedoms.

Of (I Forgot My Nom De Plume)

1/31/2026 12:16:02 am

I think the first alludes to the nature of people in the upcoming book. Not just does the woman envy her own sister for being able to have kids but she feels as if this is a life or death situation saying, “Give me children, or else I die”. I think this is going to foreshadow how some women might be locked into society in the book. We got told that women were going to be oppressed and I think it's going to be to a level where they themselves may only think that they are supposed to be fertile. But I'm not too sure what the second part may mean.
I think the second epigraph is foreshadowing the women having thoughts of rebelling and living how they actually should. Living normal lives with equal rights and balances. But I think it's saying that for now it's just been thought and feelings up until the “proposal”. Whatever the narrator means by "fell upon this proposal…” is going to symbolize the turn around. The moment something actually has and maybe they can live normal lives.
At first I had no idea what ‘In the desert there is no sign that says, “Thou shalt not eat stones.”’ meant but I LIke the ideas that people are bringing up. To me, that means that it should be obvious that women should have equal treatment is a pretty good theory. I think it correlates and it does make sense. I am just curious as to how that will play out in the book or what is could foreshadow in the book.

Word Count: 267

Oftim

1/31/2026 11:46:54 pm

Epigraph #1: This epigraph helps readers understand how the society of Gilead is based on a strict and selective reading of the Bible. In the quote, “Give me children, or else I die,” Rachel's demand shows how a woman’s worth is tied to her ability to have children. This connects directly to the Handmaids, who exist only to give birth. The use of Bilhah as a surrogate foreshadows how women in Gilead lose control over their own bodies. Atwood uses this passage to show how religious texts can be used to justify power and control, especially over women.

Epigraph #2: This epigraph signals that the novel will critique society indirectly. Swift’s essay proposes extreme answers to serious issues, reflecting how Gilead defends its brutal laws as “necessary.” The phrase “vain, idle, visionary thoughts” implies abandoning hope for more humane solutions. Atwood uses this epigraph to highlight the danger of accepting cruel ideas simply because they are framed as reasonable or practical. It establishes a dark, critical tone for the novel.

Epigraph #3: The Sufi proverb suggests that when conditions are harsh enough, rules do not need to be stated. In the desert people do not eat stones because they are not food, not because they are told not to. This reflects life in Gilead, where fear and lack of choices control people more than direct commands. Atwood seems to use this metaphor to show how power works quietly, by limiting options rather than openly forcing obedience. It also shows how people change their behavior just to survive.
Word Count: 257

Ofsteve

2/1/2026 12:09:20 am

Epigraph #1: This epigraph explains how women are valued in the totalitarian society, Gilead, mainly for their procreation. In the biblical reference, the woman is unable to have children, however is eager to have a child. Therefore, she gives her maid to her husband to have the child through her. This emphasizes an important message of control over women' s bodies, where Handmaids are forced to have children in order to have a husband or powerful man. Using anachronistic, Atwood establishes how religion can be misapplied and excused for harmful treatment of women.

Epigraph #2: This epigraph from A Modest Proposal shows relation to Gilead by its drastic rules that are cruel even though seen as logical solutions. Swift introduces a satire solution of “eating children to solve world hunger,” but he uses this as a metaphor to how ill society treats women in Gilead. Gilead’s government believes their actions are reasonable because of the fix to birth rates, but really shows how those in power are convinced that harming women is justified. Atwood’s message is that terrible systems are accepted when seen as for the greater good.

Epigraph #3: The Sufi proverb emphasizes how women in Gilead are governed by unjust laws that endanger their lives rather than protect them. “Thou shall not eat stones,” but no one would ever do this in the first place with a sign placed, unless under desperate circumstances and to survive. However, in Gilead, women’s lives are governed by extreme rules, yet the desert has no rules and still is in harsh conditions. This emphasizes that in an environment with harsh laws or no laws, laws don’t make life safe.

Ofhenry

2/1/2026 04:33:04 pm

On its own, this epigraph shows the expectations that were placed on women through Rachel’s inability to bear children for Jacob. This causes her to feel upset which is shown when she says, “Give me children, or else I die,” which plays as a metaphor for how women's worth is often tied to their fertility and motherhood. Her feeling jealous towards her sister also underscores how women are in a way measured by their reproductive ability, showing a patriarchal system of control. This directly connects to Gilead because the Handmaids too were forced to have babies to uphold their social norms. Gilead also uses the Bible to justify its controlling system. They give men power over women’s bodies through religious lessons. This epigraph helps to establish a dystopian and critical tone by showing how ancient religious ideas are turned into law, creating a world where women’s bodies are controlled by the state. I believe that Margaret Atwood may use this biblical reference to critique modern society & suggest that people still manipulate religion to excuse control and enforce unrealistic standards on to women.
Word Count: 182

This epigraph from A Modest Proposal brings in a tone of dark satire by showing how people use extreme reasoning to justify their absurd solutions to problems in society. Swift writes that after “utterly despairing of success,” he fell upon a radical proposal, showing how using logic with having empathy can lead to cruelty. This also mirrors Gilead, where leaders impose harsh and inhumane rules, forcing Handmaids to reproduce to solve their population and social problems. By referencing this epigraph, Margaret Atwood critiques the dehumanizing effects of systems that treat people, specifically women, as property and tools rather than actual individuals.This epigraph establishes a dystopian tone and warns the reader about the danger of extreme power & control.
Word Count:118

This epigraph from the proverb uses a metaphor to underscore the things that people face in desperate situations. The author writes , “In the desert there is no sign that says, ‘Thou shalt not eat stones.” This suggests that when survival is at stake ,conventional rules and morality no longer apply and get pushed to the side. In Gilead, the Handmaids and other citizens are forced into similar extreme circumstances, making difficult choices in order to just stay alive. Margaret Atwood uses this epigraph to establish a dystopian tone by showing how oppressive systems like this can push people to compromise their values and adapt in order to survive. This quote emphasizes the theme of control, power and survival.
Word Count: 118

Offloyd

2/1/2026 10:50:38 pm

Epigraph #1: In this first epigraph, themes of power and control are conveyed with Rachel’s plea to have children by Jacob. This theme of control extends to The Handmaid’s Tale where women have become tools for bearing children rather than individuals. Jacob, whom Rachel’s request is directed to, responds with anger as he says “[a]m I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?” Rather than responding with comfort, he lashes out in anger, similar to tones of patriarchy in The Handmaid’s Tale where women are seen as less than.

Epigraph #2: The second epigraph conveys the novel’s themes of survival and desperation to live. In this epigraph, the speaker reflects on their submission to “this proposal” after a long time of offering “vain, idle, visionary thoughts.” Despite hope for a better solution, they are met with a less than ideal solution to their woes. This connects to The Handmaid’s Tale and the despair of women having to endure the standards of Gilead, their society. The oppression of women in Gilead leaves them utterly despaired, similar to the speaker who is left in a dilemma.

Epigraph #3: The third epigraph conveys the novel’s themes of control and survival in The Handmaid’s Tale and the dystopian world of Gilead. This proverb conveys the idea of resistance when in the face of adversity. In a desert there is nothing but barren land, meaning no rules and no one to enforce them. Atwood utilizes this epigraph to relate to and contrast the oppressive nature of Gilead, a place with strict enforcement and punishment for resistance. To survive, the women must follow the rules of their dystopian society because of strict enforcement.

ofjim

2/1/2026 11:59:31 pm

Epigraph #1: The first epigraph, from Genesis introduces the theme of reproductive control which is the main idea for the Handmaid's Tale. Rachel's desperation to have kids shows a flipped coin for the fertility expectation in lower class women in Gilead, where women are only valued to their ability to reproduce. The biblical meaning creates a tone that is very prescriptive showcasing survival while under strict authority. The use of this passage as an epigraph shows Atwood's exploration of power, especially towards men and their rules dictating what women can do with their bodies. The story of Bilhah as a surrogate introduces the topic of moral compromise, while also highlighting hints of control and envy.

Epigraph #2: The second epigraph, from Swift's essay, sets a tone of dark irony that signals Atwood's intent to expose social issues through a dystopian focus. Swift's proposal to solve cannibalism through famine is seen as shocking and morally insane, paralleling Gilead's own solutions to social problems such as controlling women and their ability to reproduce. This epigraph introduces readers to the story's main focus that is both focused on power and control that can be seen as both dehumanizing and systematic, showcasing the danger of choosing ideology over humanity. Suggesting that Atwood may be trying to use fiction to critique real-world problems.

Epigraph #3:The third epigraph "In the desert there is no sign that says, "Thou shalt not eat stones," creates a tone that emphasizes survival in extreme conditions. In this case, in Gilead, "the desert" represents a society that had it's freedom taken away and adaptation was needed to rule rather than morals and humanity. The proverb suggests that humans have to learn to use creativity to survive . Foreshadowing Offreds moral compromise and small acts of resistance, which overall highlights the tension between obedience and survival.

Ofcurt

2/2/2026 12:30:02 am

Epigraph #1: This epigraph, quoting from the Biblical Book of Genesis describes Rachel's plight at not being able to bear children and how she even tells her husband, Jacob (father of the 12 tribes of Israel) to have children through her handmaid. This highlights the value that the society placed on her ability to have children and the fact that Rachel was set on trying to find ways on having children that would be counted as "from her" continues to emphasize Rachel's desperation to be accepted by her society by having children to her name and thus increasing her "value" in the eyes of society, and will inevitably play a role in understanding the dynamics in the totalitarian society of Gilead.

Epigraph #2: This epigraph is drawn from a pamphlet written by Jonathan Swift reacting to the harsh rule over Ireland conducted by the British Empire. Him sarcastically mentioning how he was weary of "vain, idle, visionary thoughts" that he had conjured up, seems to relate to Gilead in that their society is dismissive of "visionary thoughts" and seem to instead go with ludicrously totalitarian ideas, which, much like the British Empire controlled the Irish, their society also attempts to control women as well.

Epigraph #3: This epigraph is drawn from a Sufi proverb that reads: "In the desert there is no sign that says, “Thou shalt not eat stones." This proverb essentially means that some things don't need to be written down or spelled out because inherently, through common sense, they are implied. While this can be interpreted a myriad of different ways in ways that can apply to this book, I'm drawn to it meaning that some dynamics that are common sense do not need to or (better yet, should not have to) be spelled out. However, in the totalitarian society Gilead fosters, this seems to be lost as such a basic driving force is discarded by the society and now indeed needs to be "spelled out" to them, which is a theme that may be explored in this novel more deeply.

Ofjack

2/2/2026 01:02:50 am

Epigraph #1: This quote from Genesis shows Rachel really struggling because she can’t have kids and she’s jealous of her sister who can. She basically begs Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die,” and then tells him to sleep with her maid Bilhah so they can raise the baby as theirs. It’s a perfect setup for Gilead, where the whole society treats women like they’re only useful if they can get pregnant. The power stuff is clear: men and the Wives call all the shots about women’s bodies. Atwood picks this old Bible story on purpose to make us think about how people can twist religion to control others, even now. It feels like a warning that if we’re not careful, we could end up right back in that kind of unfair system where having babies decides if you live or die.
(Word count: 104)
Epigraph #2: This is from Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal comes right after he’s fed up with all his “vain, idle, visionary thoughts” and decides on this wild idea to solve hunger by eating babies. Of course it’s not serious, it’s satire to make fun of how people come up with awful fixes and act like they’re smart. In the book, it feels a lot like how Gilead’s leaders explain away all the horrible things they do to women, saying it’s just practical because birth rates are crashing. Atwood throws this in to show how easy it is for powerful people to dress up cruelty as common sense when everyone’s scared. It gives the novel that sharp, sarcastic edge and makes you question any “solution” that hurts people to save society.
(Word count: 99)
Epigraph #3: The Sufi proverb says there’s no sign in the desert telling you “Thou shalt not eat stones” because obviously nobody would do that unless they’re completely desperate. It’s a way of saying some things should be clear without rules written everywhere. In Gilead though, everything is the opposite, the world feels like a desert with no normal life left, so the government makes up tons of strict rules to force people to keep going. Atwood uses this short line to hint that when things get really bad, whether it’s no babies or some other crisis, humans can lose their sense of right and wrong and just do whatever it takes to survive. It makes you think about how much fear and emptiness can push societies toward controlling everything.
(Word count: 101)

OFPAUL

2/2/2026 03:00:16 am

The first epigraph is from Genesis 30:1-3 and it is about a woman named Rachel and her inability to bare her husband Jacob children. In the quote Rachel says, "Give me children, or else I die" I believe that this relates to the thematic topic of survival because in the context of the quote she is desperate enough to give her maid to Jacob so she can bear children on her behalf demonstrating the importance of children and what she is willing to do to survive and be on par with her sister Leah who she envies and who has already given Jacob children. I think this idea of sacrifice for survival and the importance of childbearing will be a significant theme in the novel.
Word count: 126
The second epigraph is a quote from Jonathan Swifts satirical essay A Modest Proposal in which he proposes that the poor people of Ireland sell their many children to the elites to alleviate themselves financially. I think that this quote from a satirical essay based on the absurdity of fixing the economy by selling children as food product is a reference to the state of future in the novel and how absurd their situation is that it can be compared to having let something like this modest proposal come to fruition.
Word count: 91
The third epigraph is a quote from a Sufi Proverb, the proverb states that in the desert there is not a sign that tells you to not eat the stones, meaning that some things are implied and so obvious you wouldn't think a sign necessary for it. I think that this is a reference to the treatment of women in the dystopian future of the novel and a metaphor portraying the women as the stone and displaying how something that once might have seemed illogical could become reality which I think furthers the idea of the dystopian world of Gilead.
Word count:100

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AP Literature and Composition Blog

THT Blog #1-Pre-Reading The Handmaid's Tale: Exploring the Epigraphs (Primary Blog Entry only!) - There is a quick turnaround on this assignment as we start the Reading Schedule ASAP.

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