I look at genders in Handmaid's Tale as more of a means of expressing arbitrary allocations of artificial power rather than some statement about how we view feminism, to what extent expression should be socially acceptable, etc. arguments and views from the class discussions wherein I was against everyone again.
For each gender, a hierarchy exists which the members of the gender are expected to aspire to climb. Nick is powerless compared to the Commander, just as June is powerless to Serena Joy. However, by doing what one is "supposed to do," as in following a narrow-minded path paved by the delusion of virtue, Nick and June may climb to the points at which the Commander and Joy are. I see the abuse, the blatant disregard for personal autonomy, and the most prevalent judgmental dichotomy adhered to by the whole nation, all as being a statement about a theme grander than the gender roles by which the issues are presented. This theme is exactly the theme preached slightly more obviously in 1984, the theme of total self-control, autonomy, and acceptance of the fact that one cannot force another do, make, say, or think, anything. As I read this, I sincerely looked for gender stuff, but all I saw was the whole issue we have with gender roles: control over one's body. When the question is whether or not she is allowed to wear something so revealing, the question isn't being asked because she is of a specific gender, it's being asked because one thinks that they can control the basic inalienable abilities of another. That's how I looked at this book in context with contemporary issues.
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