Susan Faludi's Blame it on Feminism brings up the idea of backlash against feminism- how many are saying that feminism are responsible for the lack of equality and happiness, while those who accuse are actually the ones to blame.
I think this is one of the main ideas in The Handmaiden's Tale. Throughout the novel, women are constantly to blame for all the problems- infertility, crimes, ect. This all probably stems from the religion the government is based on, and how from the very beginning, Eve ate the apple, thus betraying God. Women are told that they are the problem, and must pay the consequences.
For example, the problem of infertility worries the minds of the handmaidens. When the protagonist has an appointment with the doctor, he tells her the truth: "'Most of those old guys can't make it anymore,' he says. 'Or they're sterile.' I almost gasp: he's said a forbidden word. Sterile. There is no such thing as a sterile man anymore, not officially. There are only women who are fruitful and women who are barren, that's the law" (Atwood, 61). Although men are to blame for the lack of children, the problem is blamed on the women. Not only is it common thought, but the law: women are put on the bottom of the pyramid. This is a classic example of backlash- much like the lack of children and unhappiness of women are blamed on the females in the real world, in the novel it is much the same.
When Janine tells everyone that she was gang-raped at fourteen, it is not the fault of the men who raped her but hers: "But whose fault was it? Aunt Helena says, holing up one plump finger. Her fault, her fault, her fault, we chant in unison. Who led them on? Aunt Helena beams, pleased with us. She did. She did. She did. Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen? Teach her a lesson. Teach her a lesson. Teach her a lesson" (72). Not only are women themselves taught that everything is their fault, but that God condemns them too. If Janine's case were in real life, it would seem ridiculous to accuse and humiliate her. Yet in the novel's society, this is what happens. Apparently, women are the cause for every horrible event.
Women are told that they are the cause of problems- and some of them believe it. The backlash in the novel retracted "the handful of small and hardwon victories that the feminist movement did manage to win for women". Although women are more protected, have duties, and are safer overall, they still have not won- far from it.
Reading Julie's reaction to the article, in Equality: Achievable?, I'm not sure how I'd answer the question if inequality will always exist. Julie points out the hypocritical thinking of equality yet self-interest, and how optimistic we could be, thinking that equality will become reality, but I have to say that equality should exist. At any rate, we will constantly be progressing towards equality- we've already improved so far: who's to say that won't continue. There will always be those who wish to oppress and have power (shown by the many dystopian novels that are out there), but the fact that the idea of equality exist means that humanity has a conscience. Unlike Darwin's "survival of the fittest" theory, I believe something a little bit different: the world will continue to progress into something better- not only physically stronger but mentally and morally as well. It is not only about power, but the society. Although those who are stronger and smarter do usually run the world, I think humanity works together not to make a better individual, but society. Right now, as Julie said, equality seems to be against the most basic human instincts- but the fact remains that despite our instincts we see equality as a good thing- and so this latter idea will prevail and become a part of reality.
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