IOC The Road & Handmaids tale (Hotaru)

Use the link below

http://goto.glocalnet.net/ibweb/oral_commentary__english_a2.htm
Means that you should say it.

The Road:
INTRO (should be between 1min to 1.5min):

This extract is taken from the novel The Road written by American
novelist, Cormac Mccarthy. (then talk about basic plot of story-
but must be very short)

Talk about his style of language (e.g. pared down style) .

This specific extract before me is taken from the scene where...
Talk about the importance of this extract, why is this significant scene in
the novel?

Narrative point of view?

In this commentary, I would like to discuss about the following themes
of ....

I will explain how Maccarthy creates a rising tension/creates pathos/

compassion, or say the guiding question)

BODY:
Then you should say Firstly I will talk about the theme of (e.g.
danger), and how in the extract (e.g. I see fire) helps to create
this theme (e.g of danger) and ... how the effect works...

And DO NEVER FORGET! When you state the literary
device, you must say the EFFECT OF LITERARY DEVICE
and the IMPACT ON AUDIENCE!
Then state the conclusion!! (Dont forget it!) - 30sec to 1min
Boy- In the world where there is no faith in God or mortality, he is
the resemblance of the innocence and the only hope left in this
crucial world.

Father- Father acts as the protector and the navigator of the boy
throughout this journey. Nevertheless, at the end of the novel the
role switches. The boy acts as the protector of his dying father.
The purpose of him living is to maintain and to save the child (the
hope), hence the boy is the only thing that stands between him and
his death.

Fire- It symbolizes danger, hope and survival, and even the

metaphorical meaning of carrying the fire within them. Indeed, it
is resembling the future mankind. Moreover, the fire provides heat
during the night, which is essential tool for survival.

Ash- Ash is made by fire, therefore symbolizes the left over fires.
In the figurative meaning, fire resembles the idea of hope.
Nonetheless, those people who were carrying those fires had
vanished by this post apocalyptic world. Thus, the leftovers of
ashes resembles the man and the boy who are still carrying the fire.

Dream- The only place where the man can be relieved is when he
is in his dreams. However, he also thinks that good dreams may
drag him near towards death.

Coca cola- It is the symbol of globalization and America. It

conveys the palimpsest within disintegration of the capitalist
society.

Polysyndeton- The rhetorical effect of polysyndeton slows down

the pace of the sentence, which makes the the story appears to be
very dull. It makes the process sound as if it is dragged. This
resemblance is very important, because it reflects the major theme
of the road; man and sons endless journey that perpetuates along
the road. This gives the effect on the audience to feel dull and as if
they are traveling along with the characters.
Handmaids tale:
Palimpsest- It conveys the pre revolution before Gilead was settled.
It portrays nostalgia of Offreds, which allows the audiences to feel
compassion towards her, and engage with the characters more.

Duality- The whole purpose of duality is to signify the idea of how

beliefs and custom fall on wide spectrum, where the dividing lines
between their morality is often blurred. By using this literary term, Atwood
creates clear picture for audiences of how choices are presented in the real
world.

Flower- Flower is a symbol of beauty and fertility, which is the

fundamental motif throughout this book. Flower indicates the male and
female reproductive organs; the flowers are designed to facilitate
reproduction. Hence, the flower acts as the reminder of the motif of
fertility.

Wings- Polysemy. It is the literal veils that they are wearing, while it
also symbolizes the image of angel. Further, it refers to a religious
imagery, where in Christianity women were forced to cover their heads in
public. This allows the audience to mirror its religious commandments.

Fruit- Fruit represents fertilized flower.

Loaves and fishes, All flesh, Milk and Honey- Refers to the bible of
Jesus feeding 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fishes. This phrase
juxtaposes with the idea of Jesus saving the people, because in Gilead,
they are providing food to save their own social system rather than the
people.

Eggs and milk- Symbolizes fertility

Bells- It symbolizes death and it foreshadows salvaging.

Nunneries- It juxtaposes with the handmaids actions, as nuns are

virgins and handmaids are more like prostitutes.


The Eyes- Eyes of God are Gileads secret police. The eyes are
described as if they are like gods.

Police- is called as the Guardians of Faith

Religion & Politics- In such theocratic society, the biblical

reference/allusion is used to authorize the people. Gilead made their own
interpretation of bible to justify what they do to women. Again, their
actions are justified by modification of the religions.

Salvaging- The terms literal meaning is to save and to rescue.

However, in society of Gilead, salvaging is to save the society by
executing the dissidents. Therefore, the use of salvaging is a euphemism in
such case.

Nomenclature- The econwives.

Particicution- Neologism. It is very gruesome - it means to

participate and execute.

Dehumanization- It appears to be as if it lacks in self-sufficiency. It

turns them into a commodity and as if they are property of Gilead.
Therefore, it's a loss of individualism, which conveys the recurring motif
of identity throughout this book. Moreover, it reminds the readers how
women are treated as subhuman in Gilead.

Angels- The use of angels are quite ironic to describe the soldiers,
this is because, in Christianity the angels are referred as creatures that
protect and fight for spiritual warfare. Nonetheless, this is not the case in
Gilead. The soldiers serve to imprison people and to send them to colony
for execution.

Bodies- Offred used to recognize her own body as a instrument for

pleasure. But now because she is living in such oppressed society, she
defines her body as nothing more than a womb.

Past tense to present tense- It allows Offred to dissociate from the

appalling scene. This makes the audience feel sympathy for Offreds
compelling situation she is subjected to.