Author: Margaret Atwood
First Published: 1986

Am on page 135 of this 324 page novel and realise the content cannot be dismissed. The role of women in the fictious “Republic of Gilead” takes on new meaning when compare it to current events such as the raid on a sect in Texas this past month.

Chilling enough as fiction, made more alarming by the fact so much of this is happening in so many forms in so many parts of the world – whether Afghanisthan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, parts of India, US, or closer to home in Sydney.

Why are we so complacent about the basic human rights of virtually 50% of the human civilisation? With all the choices supposedly available so many stereotypes still prevail. Women are still seen as promiscuous when displaying the same behaviour as men in the majority of western or eastern cultures. Why is that, is it simply because we are able to give birth? Does a negative term for male promiscuity even exist?

Our so many of our reactions still dependant on the gender specifics of an issue, is it really more harmful for instance if a female teenage student is propositioned by a male teacher, is our reaction more indifferent if a male teenager receives the same intent from a female teacher?  

The most visible message for me to take from this novel is our inaction, unless we do something to build upon change fought for by our mothers and grandmothers, and intitiate more change however slow this could possibly resemble a distant future in yet another country, some day. For instance try the non-fiction The Sleeping Buddha by Hamida Ghafour for an insight into Afghanistan.

Concurrently read A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle to soothe the soul. Following it up with Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (still in progress, enjoying it immensly so far) for balance and ideas.