The Effects of a Totalitarian State Mentally #9

Because we did not discuss much of the totalitarian state in class and its effects on the human emotions, I decided to closely analyze through a quote that I found to be very disturbing in chapter six. The quote that I found very significant this week refers to the thoughts that are formed due to the totalitarian state of Gilead:

“Ordinary, said Aunt Lydia, is what you are used to. This may not seem ordinary to you now, but after a time it will. It will become ordinary.”


This quote pretty much sums up what feelings come from a totalitarian government. As Offred and Ofglen are standing in front of the hanging dead bodies that have been executed for performing abortions before the formation of Gilead, Offred is repulsed. But then Offred remembers these ‘words of wisdom’ from Aunt Lydia. I believe this quote shows the theme of humanity doing its best to survive within a totalitarian state. This quote proves that the idea of totalitarian state can never be a true and effective form of government rule. This is because the gruesome effects, like the hanging bodies in the street, are naturally repulsive to human beings because we have strong emotions and moral consciences that steer us otherwise. But, because of the fear instilled from these gruesome actions, people must act as though this type of behavior is normal. As humans we have natural instincts to think otherwise, so we much convert repulsion in normalcy. Aunt Lydia’s point is not that Offred should believe that what the leaders of Gilead are doing is right but that in order to avoid trouble within the state, one must accept their horrific actions as normalcy. It is an awful state of mind that a totalitarian government wants all its citizens to possess.

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 3, 2017 at 9:08 AM

    I think this quote is extremely eerie as well. At the same time, I think it is so true that in reality norms are shaped by individual cultures and societies. I do actually think that after many years, the citizens of Gilead would found this horrific disregard of human dignity to be normal. It reminds me of when Offred is at the wedding ceremony and states that soon the brides will be young enough to have never experienced a life before Gilead. This type of totalitarian society is all they would have known; it would be normal to them. Which is so scary!

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