In Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, there is a great disparity between religion and faith. The society of Gilead claims to be based upon religious doctrine and advocates a lifestyle that strictly adheres to scripture. For example, the Aunts in the Red Center and the Commander read Bible stories to the women of Gilead. The government also urges the Wives to call in and purchase Soul Scrolls, prayers that read off by machines, supposedly for religious purposes. However, these actions are not received with the warmth, understanding, and hope that often accompany religion, as faith is not evident in Gilead.
The lack of faith in The Handmaid’s Tale is made clear by Offred’s disinterested attitude on the subject of religion. She says, “FAITH is a faded blue, the leaves of the lilies a dingy green. This is a cushion once used elsewhere, worn but not enough to throw out. Somehow it’s been overlooked” (Atwood 57). This quote exemplifies the fact that in Gilead, religion and devotion are not interconnected and that while structured religion has a firm place in the society, faith is not considered.Before the Ceremony, the Commander reads stories from the Bible, some accurate and some modified to suit the whims of Gilead’s leaders. Offred responds to these stories by stating, “It’s the usual story, the usual stories… Then comes the moldy old Rachel and Leah stuff we had drummed into us at the Center” (88). This world where religion, which is typically a spiritual experience, is said to take precedence over almost everything else is virtually devoid of emotion. During the Salvaging, Offred describes her hopeless surroundings, “We don’t sit on chairs, but kneel, and this time we have cushions, small red velvet ones with nothing written on them, not even Faith” (273). Here, the presence of a governing body based upon religion in the absence of faith contributes to human existence that is stripped of all sentiments, and this ultimately contradicts the purpose of religion as a whole.
I agree with this discussion that there is an apparent lack of faith in a supposedly religious society. Normally, the ideals of religion and faith are connected and interchangeable, however, in regarding this society a obvious difference is observed. The people of Gilead must worship and believe in what they are told. Which contradicts one of the main aspects of faith, personal choice. One cannot be forced to accept religion if they chose not to, and if they are placed in such constraints, they are not faithful. Gilead separates religion and faith because of the lack of free will in their citizens. The religious texts are followed for fear of repercussions, rather than any form of spiritual enlightenment. This causes a lack of real faith. People in Gilead must be religious, not because they are spiritual, rather on the basis of fear. This fear is the distinguishing factor between forced religion and true faith.
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