#1- Handmaid's Tale

"The white wings too are prescribed issue; they are to keep us from seeing, but also from being seen" (8).

This part of the Handmaids' uniforms keeps the Handmaids isolated from other people by blocking their sense of sight. Making eye contact is a way that people connect and the Handmaids are unable to do this. Atwood uses this block to demonstrate the Handmaids' isolation. Just like the veils worn by Middle Eastern women, these wings represent submission to the rest of the society and are a sign that the Handmaids are below others. It is interesting that even though most of the uniform is red, Atwood makes the wings be white. This can be explained by shrine maidens, traditional Japanese figures. These maidens wear red and white outfits. The shrine maidens are very different from the Handmaids in their actions but the core of their purpose is similar - the shrine maidens' purpose is to help humans by restoring life and bringing peace and happiness to society, just as the Handmaids must "restore life" by giving birth.

Works Cited:
Dreyfus, Henry. "Symbolism: Colors." 7 Sept. 2001. Three-Musketeers. 28 Aug. 2010 <http://
www.three-musketeers.net/mike/colors.html>.

"Miko." Wikipedia. 27 Aug. 2010. 28 Aug. 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko>.
          Photo is also from above source.

Protas, Allison, Geoff Brown, Jamie Smith, and Eric Jaffe. "Eyes." Dictionary of Symbolism. 28 Aug. 2010 <http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/>. Path: E; Eyes.