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Jezebel: Suffragette or Whore?

Analyze Atwood's biblical allusion to Jezebel and explore the themes of power, gender roles, and oppression in the novel.

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Jezebel: Suffragette or Whore?

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  1. Chapter 36-40 • As I check annotations, discuss Atwood’s introduction or progression or resolution of the following topics: • Jezebel’s • Moira • The Colonies • Offred’s Mother • Underground Femaleroad

  2. Jezebel: Suffragette or Whore?Objective:AnalyzeAtwood’s biblical allusion to Jezebel

  3. Jezebel (from the Bible) • Scripture References—1 Kings 16:31; 18:4-19; 19:1, 2; 21:5-25; 2 Kings 9 • Jezebel was a Phoenician princess in the 9th century • Her family worshipped many gods, most importantly Baal, a nature god. • While Jezebel was growing up, Israel crowned a new king. • To create an alliance with Israel, the king arranged for his son Ahab to wed Jezebel. Their marriage cemented a political alliance, but it was a dramatic event for the young woman. After enjoying a life of luxury, she was suddenly taken into a conservative society and made to oversee it. • Jezebel eventually became Israel's Queen. She continued to worship the god Baal, and in doing so, earned many enemies. • At her citizens' expense, she brought 800 Baal prophets to Israel and ordered the murder of several Yahweh prophets. • At this major moment, Elijah, a Christian prophet, appeared. According to the biblical book of Kings, Elijah gave a prophecy: That terrible draught would come upon Israel. • Famine spread across Jezebel's land, according to the story.

  4. Jezebel, cont’d • Several years later, Ahab died in a battle against the Syrians, and a man named Jehu was promised the crown if he killed Jezebeland herson, thus taking Jezebel's power. • As the story goes, Jehu made his way Jezebel's palace to murder her, and she, expecting him, applied make-up and dressed herself in finery. • Some people believe she was simply dressing for a dignified death. • Others believe she was "painting" herself in hopes of seducing Jehu and becoming his mistress. #Gertrude • In the end, she was thrown out of her bedroom window, trampled by horses and eaten by dogs. • Jezebel's name has been used for thousands of years to describe cunning, ruthless and reprehensible women. Some believe she typifies evil. Others believe that Jezebel was one of the first suffragists.

  5. “The death of Jezebel” by Gustave Doré (1866) • Defenestration

  6. Ultimately, … • Is it worse to be a handmaid or to work at Jezebel’s? • Is it worse to be a wife or a handmaid?

  7. Ch36-40 Discussion Questions • What is the Commander's rationale for the existence of places like Jezebel's? • What does Moira say the advantages are in working at Jezebel's over being a Handmaid? • What is the significance of the “The Underground Femaleroad?” • What kind of work do the women in the Colonies do? • How does the experience at Jezebel’s change the relationship between Offred and the Commander? • Who are the victims in this novel? Who refuses to be a victim? • Who in the novel deserves forgiveness? For what? From whom? Why? • How has Serena changed things between Offred & Nick?

  8. Homework • Annotate chapter 41-44 for Tuesday’s class • Annotate 45-46 and the “Historical Notes” section for Wednesday’s class. • Socratic seminar: W-F

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