As the dystopia genre develops throughout time, the structure of the totalitarian society evolves alongside. Rather than citizens enduring mutual suffering, often in modern works the writer will create boundaries between different members of the civilisation, leading to infighting and endless complications. One novel which is particularly successful in demonstrating this progression of subplot is The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and coincidentally, a leading theme conveying this conflict is food.
The handmaid's house has significant similarities to a Victorian household in terms of meals; social classes determine the cuisine and routine. "In my stomach the food balls itself together, a handful of damp cardboard, squeezed. Downstairs, in the dining room, there will be candles on the large mahogany table, a white cloth, silver, flowers, wine glasses with wine in them." (76) Atwood's description of the Offred's food as 'a handful of damp cardboard' emphasises how unappetising her meal is and how little she is given. The depiction of the simultaneous meal being eaten downstairs creates a clever juxtaposition, contrasting the difference between the experience of supper for the two different women of the house; the wife and the handmaiden.
All things considered, Atwood successfully showcases a range of comprehensive dystopian themes through food, from strict social hierarchies to the effects of war. The television adaption also addresses these subjects well through character dialogue, although the changes aesthetically in key food scenes are in my opinion, disappointing.
Bibliography
Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. London: Vintage Classics, 2017. Print.
Orwell, George. Animal Farm. London: Penguin Classics, 2000. Print
The handmaid's house has significant similarities to a Victorian household in terms of meals; social classes determine the cuisine and routine. "In my stomach the food balls itself together, a handful of damp cardboard, squeezed. Downstairs, in the dining room, there will be candles on the large mahogany table, a white cloth, silver, flowers, wine glasses with wine in them." (76) Atwood's description of the Offred's food as 'a handful of damp cardboard' emphasises how unappetising her meal is and how little she is given. The depiction of the simultaneous meal being eaten downstairs creates a clever juxtaposition, contrasting the difference between the experience of supper for the two different women of the house; the wife and the handmaiden.
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| The Commander's Feast https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2017/07/05/blessed-be-fruit |
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| Damp Cardboard https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/gjy7xc/the-handmaids-tale--s2-e6-first-blood/ |
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| Blessed Be the Fruit https://www.foodandwine.com/news/ handmaids-tale-season-one-recap-food-moments |
Another way food helps to deepen the dystopia is through a focus on the lack of certain ingredients. "I see they have oranges today. Ever since Central America was lost to the Libertheos, oranges have been hard to get..." (35) Here, Atwood informs us of the absence of certain items of food due to the war, showing that the constraints of Gilead stretch beyond a totalitarian regime. The issue of class is also suggested in the adaption of this scene for television.When Offred has no tokens for oranges, a fellow handmaiden states "Tell them you're Commander Waterford's. He's really high up, his names on the news." The handmaid is suggesting that Offred can take whatever she wishes from the grocery store because of her household, implying the power of class and authority within the imagined realm. Furthermore, she is insinuating that Offred is owned by the commander which understandably increases the protagonists sense of dread, leading to arguably the most famous quote from the series "I don't need oranges. I need to scream." However, it is important to note the difference between the restrictions of the grocery store in the novel and TV adaption, as the novel describes the shopping experience as far more controlled with queues of pairs and Guardian's handing the women all the ingredients needed.
All things considered, Atwood successfully showcases a range of comprehensive dystopian themes through food, from strict social hierarchies to the effects of war. The television adaption also addresses these subjects well through character dialogue, although the changes aesthetically in key food scenes are in my opinion, disappointing.
Bibliography
Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. London: Vintage Classics, 2017. Print.
Orwell, George. Animal Farm. London: Penguin Classics, 2000. Print
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