A Handmaid's Tale Quote

"You can see the place, under the lily, where the lettering was painted out, when they decided that even the names of shops were too much temptation for us."

        This quote emphasizes the extreme control the government in Gilead has on the women. The government does not even want the women reading signs because the only way (in their opinion) to show their tight hand on the women, is to have control over every aspect of the women, including their bodies. The handmaid's run-in with the Japanese tourist presents total opposite ideas of cultures. The Japanese women are wearing revealing clothes, while the handmaid's are totally covered in their robes. The emphasis of total control on the women's bodies is suggested again as Offred and Ofglen pass the Wall, containing hung criminals who have performed abortions before Gilead was in control. The extremity of the government is shown, as giving women control of their bodies would be considered a terrible offense.  
        The emphasis on the extreme control of the women then ties into their thoughts--the only thing that the government cannot control. Offred continually flashes back to her past with Luke and her daughter. Even though she flashes back to scary memories of running away, fleeing the borders, and leaving everything behind, I think Offred remembers it all with joy. She is completely unsatisfied and angry in her current life, so she must live by remembering her past. The government must have some sort of clue the agony the women are in from missing their family. All the memories Offred had of her daughter--the clothes, pictures, and hair, have all been confiscated by the government. The government is not only controlling their present, and future, but trying to destroy their past. Offred's memories are often recollected by certain events. Such as the doctor's office visit when the doctor attempts to seduce her. Although he is claiming that he is trying to help her, it appears to be more pressured. Other incidences such as the Commander and Offred's "fucking", brings back memories of Aunt Lydia's words. "For our purposes your feet and your hands are not essential."  Aunt Lydia's words prove exactly a women's role in Gilead. Pain, emotion, and your body no longer matter, only producing a child does.