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Misplaced Focus on Christianity in The Handmaid’s Tale: Why Islamic Examples Are More Relevant

January 10, 2025Literature4255
Why Do We Focus on Christianity When Discussing The Handmaid’s Tale Wh

Why Do We Focus on Christianity When Discussing The Handmaid’s Tale When All the Closest Examples Are in the Islamic World?

Throughout the

discussion of Margaret Atwood’s

The Handmaid’s Tale,

many viewers and critics gravitate towards a Christian framework. However, exploring the

Islamic perspectives and examples would provide a more relevant and

thought-provoking

analogy to the oppressive

themes

presented in the book and television series. In this article, we will delve into how

Islamic

principles and examples can better reflect the true intentions of

Atwood's

work, specifically in comparison to themes of

White Supremacy and the

Déclassé status of women.

White Supremacy and its Absence in Islamic Teachings

The theme of

White Supremacy

never finds its roots in

Islamic

teachings. On the contrary,

Islam

emphasizes the equality of all human beings, stating that no race or ethnicity is

superior

to

another. This

contradicts

the

ideology

promoted in the oppressive world of

Atwood’s

handmaid. Instead, consider the

Ku Klux Klan

(KKK), an organization known for promoting an extreme form of

White Supremacy

. The KKK's agenda for

society’s

purification

is rooted in a twisted interpretation of

Christianity

, which goes against the основные принципы of true Christian teachings, as articulated by Jesus Christ.

The Déclassé Status of Women and Islamic Practices

In the world portrayed in

Atwood’s

Handmaid's Tale, women are stripped of their rights and autonomy, treated as mere instruments of procreation.

Islamic

principles in this regard take a very different approach. Islamic teachings emphasize the

protection

of women and

practicing

modesty in the form of

covering oneself

. This tradition of covering the head with a

hijab

has its

roots in the

historical context of instability and threats to women's safety. As the world has evolved, many women in my country choose to

opt out

of wearing a

hijab

, and this is perfectly fine and acceptable. Similarly, the

viewpoint

in

Atwood’s

Handmaid's Tale

ignores the

humanity

of women and reduces them to mere

breeding tools

. This aligns more closely with the

Amish

society, where women are expected to marry, bear children, and submit to their husbands' wishes. Divorce is

intentionally

made

non-existent

, and those who break the rules face

banishment

.

The foundation of

Amish

ways of living is rooted in a strict interpretation of

Christianity

, much like the

Handmaid's Tale.

The Quiverfull Movement and Procreation

Further evidence of this connection can be found in the

Quiverfull

movement, a Christian subculture that

encourages

having large families, eschewing

birth control

and

sterilization

. This movement

sees

children as a blessing from God and actively resists any form of family planning. While this

movement

does not directly link to

Atwood’s

work, it highlights the

ideological

parallel between certain interpretations of Christianity and the oppressive

worldviews

presented in the

Handmaid’s Tale.

Conclusion

While the

Christian

focus in

The Handmaid's Tale

is prevalent, it is misguided. Instead, a

reassessment

is needed to see how

Islamic

principles and examples more accurately reflect the oppressive themes. By

emphasizing

the absence of

White Supremacy

and the treatment of women, both

Islamic

and

amish

practices provide a more relevant and

intuitive

analogy. This

approach

removes the

Islamophobia

that comes with a

Christian

focus and

allows

for a more respectful and

inclusive

discussion of

Atwood’s

work.