In The Handmaids Tale, Atwood established power in the novel by creating an oppressive society called the Republic of Gilead whose government demonstrates power with the use of military, the Wall, salvaging, and participation. The oppressed citizens are the Handmaids who are psychologically enslaved and controlled by the Aunts, imposing fear upon them. The citizens of the society are also controlled through the Commanders who establish immense power, and on the other hand, the Commanders Wives empower their household. It shows that the lower in the Patriarchal society, an individual will result in a submissive and helpless citizen. When a citizen is then caught against the regime, they are hung on the Wall, which is a symbol of helplessness and impossible to be avoided, as stated by Offred: It doesnt matter if we look. Were supposed to look this is what they are there for, hanging on the Wall. Sometimes theyll be there for days, until theres a new batch, so as many people as possible will have the chance to see them. Offred is the prime example of not only being a weak character who is summoned to the power of the commander and his wife, property, and the state but th
at she is also abused by her gender due to the desire from many of the men around her. She later uses this motive to get leverage over the commander and become a figure of good power which tries to control gender rules with good nature.
The movie Blade Runner has similar themes and plot analysis, as the characters are defined by their gender and controlled by the authorities. Being controlled by the state they are also sentenced to death if they act wrongly. If youre not one of us, your little people, as mentioned from the state, it is understood that if youre not part of the government or working for the government then you have no power. You are controlled and played around. Nevertheless, when Deckard is forced to join the police force to maintain his freedom, it is seen that freedom is yet still contained by the state as they force him to hunt down and kill the replicants for him to survive. Against his will, his physical power is taken advantage of by the senate to keep their actions moving. Along with this example, women are also sexualized and exploited for the desire of men, like in the example of Zhora which supports the idea of mens power over women in the movie.