Sects
When the world is going mad and a feeling of loneliness and despair refuse to leave one’s head, one becomes an easy victim for sects. No wonder that more and more sects appear daily and almost all of them find their audience and devoted followers. They promise a way to salvation, provide with a false feeling of comfort and brotherhood. Toby and Ren know all about it, probably Toby knows a little bit more than Ren. Just like many other people, who decide to join a sect, she has a difficult period of her life. Lonely, tired and physically abused, she is ready to follow anyone, who can promise her a hope for improvement. Fortunately for her, the God’s Gardeners could hardly be considered a rather dangerous and destructive sect, but there are many people, who get in a trap.
Corporations’ control
Although there are many people, who say that the future is not going to be that awful, actually it is going to be much better, Margaret Atwood depicts the worst scenario. Everything is submitted to the corporation’s control, there is no more such a thing as freedom of choice anymore. To exist in this new world, one is to learn not to ask questions, not to hesitate, not to worry about others. To survive at any cost is the main goal.
Loneliness
Could you imagine that you are going to be only one to survive a catastrophe and the rest of mankind is going perish? How is it, to wake up and understand that there is no one to talk to? This is a frightening thought. Isolation can product really disturbing effects! Both Toby and Ren have to experience this. They are trapped and scared, for to be the only one person in that new, unfamiliar world is a horrible thing to imagine. One can often dream about a moment of silence and solitude, but one can hardly dream about loneliness till the very end.
Physical abuse
The influence of physical abuse on an abused person could hardly be underestimated. The world depicted by Margaret Atwood in this novel is ruled by violence. The stronger you are, the richer you are, the more connections you have, the more powerful you are. That power and absence of laws, which could really protect victims from their abusers open Pandora’s Box. Toby’s story is one of a victim. She knows that she can’t go to police and report. She also knows that there is no way to escape. This lack of choice can easily cause mental breakdown. Fortunately, Toby manages to escape before thoughts about suicide start occupying her mind constantly, but nobody knows how many people have to face the problem Toby used to deal with.
