1. Thought box: Winston and offred walk into a bar…
other appropriate questions and comments will be read/answered
PG13/R border
do not use student’s names
its supposed to be fun
the thought-box is meant to be anonymous
This is your chance to democratically participate by having your voice heard?

2. Journal #11: THT Biblical Allusions
Learning Targets:
Students will be able to define and identify allusions in a text.
Students will be able to analyze, in writing, the purpose and meaning of allusions in a song.
Students will be able to analyze the purpose and meaning of Biblical Allusions in The Handmaid’s Tale.

3. The allusions to the bible in The Handmaid’s Tale can help us decipher the RIGHT answer!
Is the handmaid’s tale anti-Christian? What do we know about the bible verses and scripture contained in the novel?

4. What is an allusion? Why do authors make allusions?
What makes a good allusion?

5. Allusion Definition
a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment and the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its importance in a text.
Why do authors make allusions?
What makes a good allusion?
How are allusions different than references?

6. Why do authors make allusions?
The use of allusions enables writers to simplify complex ideas and emotions. Additionally, allusions allow authors to create:
social commentary,
satire,
allegories,
IRONY
hidden thematic messages,
and other important purposes for their work.

7. “Why rappers love grey poupon” —Vox

8. “Why rappers love grey poupon” —Vox
What ideas does a Grey Poupon allusion, in Hip-Hop, mean?
Why does the video think rappers make Grey Poupon allusions?
What is the history of the Grey Poupon commercial? What does it represent?
How are Grey Poupon allusions related to social class issues in America?

9. Final Question: What is the effect created by Kendrick Lamar’s allusion to Grey Poupon in his song and video for “Humble”??
“I stay modest 'bout it, ay, she elaborate it, ay
This that Grey Poupon, that Evian, that TED Talk, ay”

10. This **** way too crazy, ay, you do not amaze me, ay I blew cool from AC, ay, Obama just paged me, ay I don't fabricate it, ay, most of y'all be fakin', ay I stay modest 'bout it, ay, she elaborate it, ay This that Grey Poupon, that Evian, that TED Talk, ay Watch my soul speak, you let the meds talk, ay

11. A Few* Biblical Allusions in The Handmaid’s Tale
Rachel and Leah
Gilead
Jezebel
The men, according to their role in society, are called “Commanders of the Faithful”, “Guardians of the Faith”, who are the members of the police force, “Angels” or “Eyes of the Lord”.
Bible Verses:
“Blessed are the meek” (who won’t inherit …)
"Blessed are you, Lord, our God, ruler of the universe who has not created me a man." (Atwood 194).

12. “Blessed are you, Lord, our God, ruler of the universe who has not created me a woman."
“Blessed are you, Lord, our God, ruler of the universe who has not created me a man.” (Atwood 194).

13. Satire, Biblical Language, and Ch 30
There is a traditional Jewish prayer for men which thanks God for not having made them women: "Blessed are you, Lord, our God, ruler of the universe who has not created me a woman."
THESIS: Atwood ironically alters the prayer she alludes to, in order to show another way that the fundamentalist theocracy has altered biblical teachings to manipulate the desirably-mindless masses.(204)
The text in question appears as part of a sequence of blessings, found in the Talmud, that are meant to accompany activities that are performed in the course of waking up in the morning, such as opening one's eyes, stepping on the ground, getting dressed, etc.
For many, it expresses a quintessential misogyny that lies at the core of a patriarchal religion. 
Contemporary apologists insist that it is not intended to disparage women or imply that they are inferior, but merely to express gratitude for the fact that men are obligated to perform more religious commandments.
Dr. Eliezer Segal is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Calgary. A native of Montreal, he holds a PhD in Talmud from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

14. Is The Handmaid’s Tale Anti-Christian?
Within the novel, the militaristic ruling class uses snippets of Biblical scripture and hymns to provide justifications for their policies and actions.
These Biblical excerpts are often just that: portions of verses, devoid of context, used in a way totally counter to their original intention.
“Blessed are the meek (who won’t inherit …)”
In The Handmaid’s Tale, the language of faith has been twisted and misappropriated for nefarious means, just as Ham’s disobedience was once used to justify slavery in the United States and as Hitler claimed his genocide was God’s will.
“resettlement had begun for the children of Ham”
Understanding the capacity that humanity has shown to use false piety to validate oppression is a fundamental moral lesson in this novel

15. Determine when and why the Giledean Regime uses and abuses the Bible.
On the most obvious and superficial level, the Bible plays an important role in the naming of objects and people in the Republic of Gilead.
The men, according to their role in society, are called “Commanders of the Faithful”, “Guardians of the Faith”, who are the members of the police force, “Angels” or “Eyes of the Lord”.
The “Angels” are the soldiers of the army, and they have names like “Angels of the Apocalypse” or “Angels of Light”. Whereas the word “angel” suggests something innocent or holy, the “Angels” in Gilead fight in wars. #irony
The names seem to suggest that it is a religious war they fight. The “Eyes” are the secret police who are supposed to spy on the people in Gilead. “Eyes” is also taken from the Bible.

16. Task: Create a (Gallery-Walk) Presentation and an infographic/poster/chart that…
Highlights the Biblical Allusion in The Handmaid’s Tale and the context it appears in
Research and explain the real context, importance, and Meaning of the Biblical Allusion
Citation(s)
Explains how the administration of Gilead altered, appropriated, or misused the Biblical Reference and Why.
How is this propaganda?
Includes a thesis statement about Atwood’s allusion.

17. “Blessed be the silent. I knew they made that up, I knew it was wrong, and they left things out, too, but there was no way of checking.” (89).
Biblical Allusion
Page
Biblical Context A
“Gilead”
N/A
Various B
“Blessed are the meek”
64, 89
Mathew 5:1-13 C
Rachel and Leah
61, 88
Genesis D
“Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” 88
Genesis several E
“From each, according to her ability; to each according to his needs.”
117
**** F
“There is a balm in Gilead”
218
A couple places G
"But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence"
221
1 Timothy 2:12 H
“Think of yourselves as seeds”… “fall on dry ground or thorns” 18
Mark 4:1-9
Luke 8:4-15 I
“All flesh is weak” 45
Isiah 40:6
1 Peter 1:24 J
“Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” 46
Luke 23:34

18. Final Task: show your understanding
Explain why The Handmaid’s Tale is not Anti-Christian (and so what?) by interpreting Atwood’s/Gilead’s use of Biblical Allusion(s).
Complete the following statement as many ways as you can …
Atwood’s narrative is anti- ____

19. https://www. washingtonpost
faith/wp/2018/06/14/jeff-sessions-points-to-the-bible-in- defense-of-separating-immigrant- families/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.0438ca9cd3c0
politics/2018/6/15/ /jeff-sessions-bible- passage-slavery-romans-13

20. Is The Handmaid’s Tale Anti-Christian?
This book is only anti-Christian if you happen to believe that Jesus was all about wielding obscene levels of wealth and power against the meek. 
Jesus was not about that at all. Just so that we’re totally clear.
This book is anti-radicals-who-use-faith- to-manipulate-and-oppress
The religious fundamentalist theocracy depicted in the book uses certain imagery found in Christianity as a tool to maintain militarily-enforced rules of society.

21. Use two of these Biblical verses to justify or explain a specific incident in “The Handmaid’s Tale”
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” (Second Chronicles 16:9)
"Give me children, or else I die." (Genesis 30:1)
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
“ For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. (1 Corinthians 11:6-15)
About death as a punishment for adultery: “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.” (Deuteronomy 17:6)

22. Rachel and Leah: Biblical Allusion to Genesis 29
Jacob fell in love with Rachel and agreed to work seven years for Laban (Rachel’s dad) in return for her hand in marriage.
On the night of the wedding, the bride was veiled and Jacob did not notice that Leah, Rachel's older sister, had been substituted by Laban for Rachel (who was more attractive, but the younger sister).
Later, Jacob confronted Laban, who excused his own deception by insisting that the older sister should marry first.
He assured Jacob that after his wedding week was finished, he could take Rachel as a wife as well, and work another seven years as payment for her.
When God “saw that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb”, (Gen 29:31) and she gave birth to four sons.
Rachel remained unable to conceive.
Rachel became jealous of Leah and gave Jacob her maidservant, Bilhah, to be a surrogate mother for her.
Bilhah gave birth to two sons that Rachel named and raised (Dan and Naphtali).
Leah responds by offering her handmaid Zilpah  to Jacob, and names and raises the two sons (Gad and Asher) that Zilpah bears.
After Leah conceived again, Rachel was finally blessed with a son, Joseph, who would become Jacob's favorite child.
 Joseph and Benjamin later helped father the twelve tribes of Israel (along with their brothers).

25. Jezebel: Suffragette or Whore
Jezebel: Suffragette or Whore? Objective: Analyze Atwood’s biblical allusion to Jezebel

26. 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 who married Ahab, the prince of Israel.
Her family worshipped many gods, the most important being Baal, a nature god.
While Jezebel was growing into a woman, 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. Amazingly, famine spread across Jezebel's land, according to the story.

27. 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 Jezebel's son, 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. 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.

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