The Handmaid's Tale: Chapters 10-12

Offred often sings in her head. Most music is forbidden in the republic, so that is mainly all that she is allowed. Offred often thinks about the times before the republic, in which women used to sunbathe in very little clothing. Women were also raped before the protective measures were implemented.
Every month, Offred is escorted to the doctor to be examined for pregnancy and diseases. The doctor is not allowed to see her face, but her lack of pregnancy makes him suggest that he and her have sex. This simple action shows the oppression that women face within this republic. On certain days, Offred takes a mandatory bath. She is in a bathroom with no mirrors, no razors, and no lock on the door. Women live in very difficult conditions, and as the story continues, the reader is given more details into the horror they face.
I am reminded of many societies in which women were and still are oppressed throughout history. The Handmaid's Tale is a very good example of a case in which history repeats itself.

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