Discussion Post 3: History of Oppression

Ann Cudd discusses in the first seven pages of our packet the historical evolution of the term "oppression", starting with Plato and Aristotle and moving to the 18th century Enlightenment writers of Hobbes, Rousseau, and Locke, the 19th century conceptual shifts in thinking, John Stuart Mill's The Subjugation of Women, and 20th century ideologies such as by Mary Wollenstonecraft and Simone De Beauvior regarding women's oppression and Hume's psychological studies.  Which of the historical movements or writings do you believe to be the most influential in the understanding of oppression, particularly as it relates to The Handmaid's Tale, and why?  Be sure to use quotes from either the packet or the novel.

Discussion Post 2: The Handmaid's Tale Chapters 5-9

For this post, I would like you to choose a quote in the book or observation about the reading that you think is important to write about.  This can be important to the rest of the novel, or it can in some way relate to our society today.  After writing a paragraph about this, I would like you to comment on another classmates post about their reading and incorporate your own opinion of this portion as well.  In this way, this will be an assignment containing two posts.  Please email with any questions.

Discussion Post 1: The Handmaid's Tale - Epigram

At the beginning of the book, before the Table of Contents, there are a series of three quotes.  The first is Genesis 30:1-3 as printed in the book.  The second is from Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”.  The third is a Sufi proverb.  After reading these quotes, what can you assume the book may be about or what issues do you think it may address?  What do these quotes mean and can any of these quotes be related to one another?  (You may address one or several of the quotes.)  Make sure your response is a complete paragraph.