The Condemning Fall

   

"The Fall was a fall from innocence to Knowledge." The Fall is portrayed as two versatile thoughts in this chapter as the Handmaid is explaining her prayer in almost a vain-like manner. It's vain because of the ingenuinality of her prayers to God. How do we know it's not authentic? Her initial statement "tonight I will say my prayers" suggests inconsistency in communication with her Divine authority, and also suggests an old habit or routine thing for her, like a duty she is forced to do or feel obligated to do. The authorities over her in the house require all the handmaids to pray in a rather strict manner. I know that, as a Christian myself, I must come humbly before God when I pray with an open heart unto Him, ready to receive anything he has to say or do unto me. When I pray, I try not to be selfish and give more hanks and praise and honor to God more than I think or request of myself from him a certain thing.

       Yet here in the passage,  this particular Handmaid-as we know of for sure, prays vainly and thoughtlessly as she ask for absurd and unusual things. "What we prayed for was emptiness, so we would be worthy to be filled: with grace, with love, with self-denial, semen, and babies." I could assume that most people who righteously pray don't naturally (spiritually) pray for these things. What she prays for though further emphasizes the ignorance of Gilead and their dehumanized people. The Fall (ultimate) was with the creation in the beginning of time in the Book of Genesis of the Bible, when Adam and Eve first sinned against God. From then, they moved from eternal life to knowledge of good and evil, their innocence being stripped from them.

The Fakes

       "The Fall was a fall from innocence to Knowledge." The Fall is portrayed as two versatile thoughts in this chapter as the Handmaid is explaining her prayer in almost a vain like manner. It's vain because of the ingenuine characteristics of her prayers to God. How do we know its not authentic? Her initial statement "tonight I will say my prayers" suggests an old habit or routine thing for her, like a duty she is forced to do or feel obligated to do. The authorities over her in the house require all the handmaids to pray in a rather strict manner. I know that, as a Christian myself, I must come humbly before God when I pray with an open heart unto Him, ready to receive anything He has to say or do unto me. And when I pray, I try not to be selfish and give more thanks and praise and Honor to God more than I request of things from Him.  Yet here in the passage, this particular Handmaid- as we know of for sure, prays vainly and thoughtlessly as she asks for absurd and unusual things.

        "What we prayer for was emptiness, so we would be worthy to be filled: with grace, with love, with self-denial, semen and babies." I could assume that most people who righteously pray don't naturally (spiritually) pray for these things. What she prays for though further emphasizes the ignorance of Gilead and their dehumanized people. The Fall (ultimate) was with the creation in the beginning of time in the Book of Genesis of the Bible, when Adam and Eve first sinned against God. From then, they moved from eternal life to knowledge of good and evil, their innocence being stripped from them.

The Repetitive Trend

       "We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of point. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories." It's almost as if they weren't humans in that society, but property under the Dystopian community. Since they seemed to exist in the blank white spaces at the edges of print, it gave not just more freedom, but it seems as if it would have instilled more fear into the handmaids. The reason why I believe so is because, being that the handmaid's importance in the work papers is not really valuable, therefore will the authorities of the society and the Eyes be able to do more sinister harm unto them and never be caught or punished for it.
       This society deeply reminds me much of how the African Americans were treated back in the 1700s through the early 1900's. The slaves were regarded as property unto their masters or "white men," and trusted as such. There were certain places that they were only allowed to go to. In comparison to the handmaid's tale, the handmaids must have their faces covered, and can only go to places they're instructed to go to. The African Americans were regarded as only two-thirds of a person in contrast to the whites; whereas the handmaids aren't counted much of anything as they were in the newspapers. Just like the incident with the Japanese tourists and their encounter with the "fascinating" handmaids, they are perceived as like the tools of a machine, or just some function of society. Although the handmaids had the natural ability to think for themselves in certain ways, their former lifestyles of self and pleasure was obsolete in their present state of mind in that society.

The Sanctified

       "Their heads are uncovered and their hair too is exposed, in all its darkness and sexuality." I believe this quote is very prudent towards the overall mood and theme of the story. The Red Handmaids are subject to purity and "sanctification," ironically, in this society they currently lived in. Handmaids are fully covered, including all of their skin except for very little around their faces. They have been set aside for a special purpose by the authorities in charge over them. What seemed ironic, though, was the face that these same Handmaids used to be in like position as that of the Japanese tourists in revealing clothing; short shirts and skirts and sexual attractions and appearances. The society was trying to "protect" the women from the sinful nature of the natural world, unlike its anti-Utopian society. Yet, the Handmaids were being raped all the time by the commanders or whoever took power over them. So really, the Handmaids purpose of being covered is vain and defeated since their virginity is loss and purity of taken from them.

       This ordeal has a biblical overtone to it in how the Israelites in the Old Testament times were set apart as God's people away from the Gentiles. He had a special purpose for them in his grand scheme or plan. He designed different laws, customs, and traditions by which they had to follow. Even more so, God was so strict yet so loving of his "chosen people" that he had a special tribe out of all twelve tribes of Israel, the Levites, whom he ordained as priests for the whole nation. Only the Levites could offer up sacrifices to God and enter the tabernacle of God. This was before Jesus Christ came to earth and broke that tradition of sacrifices, closing the gap between Jews and Gentiles as everyone's mediator. Now everyone could come to Christ because of His death on the cross and resurrection.

The Fictional Day of Reckoning

       Thank you Jesus, I wasn't selected to be a handmaid. Well, I'd rather be an Eye anyway. Less chance I'd be annihilated if I was a rebel or a handmaid. Just don't pick the wrong guy, Newman! Pick the darn rebel! I already know whom I going to pick. It's probably Josh. He's always suspicious around times like these. Plus he was already trying to establish his likings for potentially being an eye, even before we knew if we were or not! This guy is something else. But then again, I have my other suspicions. Could it be the sweet innocent little girl Jamesa, or my wonderful friend Chabely?! Or maybe my best Chandler isn't such a best friend after all and is part of the rebels! Naw... couldn't be. He's not the one. I just know it, impossible to be. Wait, what is the point of this game anyway? Oh yes! I must eliminate all the rebels with my other three eyes. Why am I the only boy who is an eye? Darn it. Oh well, they're very smart and I'm sure they'll know what they're doing.

        Ok, it's communion time. I'm not saying anything. Keeping my mouth shut..."oh hey there Chandler! How are you? Do you get the point of this game? Yeah, I find her suspicious too. Oh yes, I thought about Daryl and figured she might potentially be an eye. But then again, Victor was that lion-serpent thing we did in class. Well, good luck to you too!" hehe. He doesn't even suspect me of being the eye. Well, I'll just keep playing it cool and act like I didn't know anything...

       I found this game so intriguing to me. At first I wasn't quite fully understanding the duties of an eye and what would happen if I was picked by a rebel. To my surprise and relief, I was never picked. The joy of the game was the dwindling number of students left in the game. I was astonished too by how many eyes were still alive. All four of us were still alive. I was afraid to accidentally pick a handmaid, but I never did and ended up picking the rebel. This game was so fun in that the suspense kept building to the point where there was really no purpose in communing with our peers during the lights on period.

       I also found the music played for the entrance of the rebels to be copacetic. It was just right for the mood and feelings of a real rebel. It reminded me of some action movies I had watched before on t.v. However, I believe a different song choice could have been chosen for the eyes, like a more sinister, evil sounding song or tune to be played during the night time for the eyes. But overall, I enjoyed the game and enjoyed the thrill of being an EYE!

Journal Entry #1

       "Then I find I"m not ashamed after all... I enjoy the power; power of a dog bone, passive but there." I believe this quote is vastly significant in the fact that the author presents the only real power she has to cunning attract or "reel in" a person of a higher authority or status to her. She feels that she has the looks of an attractive lady unto the guards (Men), because the author had identified the one weakness men do have amongst various others. Women are men's weakness in their flesh or lustful desires.
       The author knows what parts of her body to advertise out to the world in order to gain some attention and potential influence amongst her authorities. This could be viewed as a whorish type of ball play in this mindset. After all, this advertisement of her body is a sexual-appeal and grabs the attention of the men almost immediately. The author has no shame in her game, which is very ironic since women were perceived back then as more prompt to cover themselves or save themes for a sacred union. She is the "dog bone" men want, or at least what is under her clothes, which men lust for the most.

Credit for the photos: Google Images

Ambassador or Hunter???

       Lions and lambs... lions and lambs... two peculiar animals with so much distinction and symbolism in not only our American culture, but the majority of cultures in the world. I believe these four animals, lions, lambs, serpents and angels all have some biblical tie into them and can be intuitively analyzed precisely as good vs. evil, or Angels vs. Demons, or the prey vs. predators. In my case, I like to think of it as Ambassador vs. Hunter. However, what must first be analyzed are the characteristics of each and every one of those creatures or characters.

First of all, Angels are generally thought to be just holy and pure and the Hallelujah singing choir. Although that is generally true, that is also the misconception of what an angel only is. An angel represents numerous tasks and descriptions as to what their roles are in our lives. They represent or are messengers, divine power, awareness, purity, love, faith, courage, compassion, perseverance, interrelations, renewal, protection-primary function I believe, and illumination. There are a whole lot more I left out of the job description of these angels, but these are the most common forms of angels’ goals and perceptions. I compare myself to an angel, knowing that for the most part, I am a person of integrity and perseverance, and many of the like qualities angels share. I despise all violence and wish no harm upon anyone. Now, here’s some interesting information I researched about angels:

• Cherubim:
  These are throne-bearers for the faithful.  Cherubim are also deemed “the ones who pray.”  They keep constant vigil upon souls in need of strength, faith and renewal.  These types of angels represent purity of heart and innocence.  They invoke a simple, childlike faith and will remind us of the beauty in the small and tender.
• Seraphim:
  These angels are considered to be the light-burners, and will be watchful over the true of heart.  These angels are the watchtowers of faith.  They keep their focus attuned to the faithful, vigilant and determined souls who hunger for the truth of enlightenment.  These angels will also stir the pools of energetic faith within the soul.  They are like kindling for the fires of faith.  They provide fuel on our spiritual path.
• Archangels:
  Among the highest ranking angels, these are the most commonly known angels.  Symbolic angel meanings for this angelic clan deal with strength, protection, guardianship.  These angels will represent themselves as indomitable, warrior spirits.  These angels are also the best known oracles.  Archangels will be very persistent and loquacious in communicating their thoughts to humankind, as typically their messages are incredibly profound.

Symbols associated with various angels include:

• Swords : Conveying protection, leadership, unified focus, purity in thought, valor
• Scrolls : Symbolic of messages, oracles, divine communication, sacred knowledge
• Flame/Torch : Conveys the inner light of the soul – always lit, always fueled by faith
• Wings : Symbolic of the higher evolution of the soul, higher realms of existence, ascension, spiritual mobility
• Hearts : Conveys health, healing, love, devotion and compassion
• Horns: Announcement of vital news, trumpeting of victory, triumphant declaration

Secondly, Lions are usually demonstrated throughout most works of young literature as just evil, vicious, prideful, evil, and so on. And yes, that is exactly what they are. Yet, one may also perceive a lion as a savior or king. Referencing back to the famous movie The Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan is the creator of Narnia and that whole imaginary world. He is the King, or the “Lion King” in those movies who rules and reigns over all. Yet, he is moved with compassion and wrath upon all who serve and fight against him. He is only one of his kinds, and there aren’t any like him. So, if I had chosen to be a lion, it could have been perceived as this. Same thing with Angels; there are evil angels out there in biblical accounts and real life in the spiritual realm and the majority of people do not realize this at all.

Serpents and lambs would typically follow under the two categories I’ve previously discussed with you. The lamb biblically represents Jesus Christ, since he was innocent, sinless, without blame, spotless, pure, and holy. The serpent I tend to envision as the Devil. So, in conclusion, my side of the territory would follow under the lamb and angel, being that I am a true, genuine Christian, never obtaining perfection like Jesus did as the perfect lamb, yet I aim to be more like the perfect lamb and an angel everywhere I g

http://www.symbolic-meanings.com/2009/07/28/symbolic-angel-meanings/

Unveiling the Identity of Prospero

      Prospero's actions in the final act reveal the long restless character about him in all his dignity and splendor and ardor about him. He is so used to his power with magic he realizes his need for a final break in his secret duties and comes back to reality to restore back to himself his dukedom-ship about his true character. He will reflect on all his miseries and success full revenge and plots he unfoiled in his former plans and take a lasting vacation that will retain Prospero from any magical reign he may possess. His righteous duty of sacrifice of his loyal servant, Ariel, serves a purpose as to a hint of humbleness, yet much pride in his heart as he knows he has the power to keep Ariel against his will and promise. Yet, after a few faithful tasks are performed, Prospero grants his freedom in diligence and respect. In this intriguing epic scene, this is the unveiling of Prospero's last spoof of game in his magic.   

   After a long drawn-out period of ruling in self-pity, magic, and desolation or confinement within his own entrapped curse upon his head, Prospero finally decides to relinquish all his powers of secret deception and magic, along with his pride and final revenge to finally relax and take a vacation from his “work”. He announces a huge surprise to all the characters in this play of his retirement of his magic. His “elderly” like actions suggests one or retiring from fifty years of service in a military. It also hints to one who is finally making and following his New Year’s resolution to never again eat such unworthy food like pork. Prospero demonstrates an act of self-control and release from his burden’s and furious, crafty power which has formerly destroyed and restored numerous lives and hopes and events. I found it humorous in this scene how Prospero brought in the crew under a trance by Ariel in a revelation unto Alonso, the King. It would seem as if he would have released the spell from those characters and dragged them in as slaves. 

In addition to that humorous thought, I found it satirical that Prospero would go through such trouble as to reveal behind the curtains Miranda and Ferdinand. This demonstrates a “closed behind doors” privacy invasion I my initial impression of this occurrence. It’s as if a demonstration to reveal their “nakedness is portrayed in this scene. Yet, as portrayed innocently, numerous periods throughout the Tempest, Prospero’s love for Miranda is thoroughly emphasized with passion as we see that not only did Prospero greedily, yet graciously and willingly allowed Miranda and Ferdinand to have an attraction to each other, and commit themselves to a future marriage. But now that Prospero is fully relinquishing his magical duties, he has indefinitely suspended his option of domination over Miranda because of her commitment to marriage.

Although it initially appears as if Miranda has long been traveling drunk on cloud 9 where she makes a startling comment following her sighting of the “humans” walking into her perception or view, this appears, or suggests Miranda’s innocence of character, he naïveté, and genialness. Miranda acts as though she has lived like Tarzan for ages and has seen nothing but apes and her love (Ferdinand). Perhaps she is just in awe or amazement, or just delighted to see all those characters. Miranda’s quality of character justifies Prospero’s acts and character, and further serves to emphasize and demonstrate Prospero’s relinquishing of power, and his sense of humility in one perspective. Prospero’s action s of accusations and forgiveness appears to make him initially arrogant as I perceived this to demonstrate a god-like action or heart. Yet, I see that he is trying to restore peace to the crew and Alonso, the King, as he forgives all who have wronged him. He is displaying a Christian-like behavior in this sense.

http://arcadiasystems.org/academia/brownLchess2.jpg