Similarities: Part 2

The continued discussion of my last blog post:

Jasmine and Offred completely stick out in a crowd. They are both not easily accepted in their society. Jasmine is from India and eventually moves in with Bud who is uncomfortable with her "foreignness". Jasmine comments on Bud's discomfort when she says, "he's never asked me about India; it scares him"(Mukherjee, 12). In a small town that isn't used to change, an Indian woman living with a disabled, recently divorced man sets her apart from everyone. Offred is a Handmaid and many people in her society greatly dislike the handmaids. The Handmaids are supposed to be separate from normal society because they have a specific role to play that is not one that anyone enjoys.

With such difficult pasts and circumstances, both women are depressed and suicidal. After she is raped, Jasmine feels she is worthless. She lies on the bed thinking, "this would be a fitting place to die"(Mukherjee, 117). Then, she commits the extreme act of killing Half-Face, the man who raped her. After this experience she calls herself "walking death"(Mukherjee, 119). Her time with Bud is spent in loneliness and seclusion. Offred constantly comments on the fact that there are no instruments of any kind that could be used for suicide or violence in her bedroom; "they've removed anything you could tie a rope to"(Atwood, 17). She is completely alone and constantly threatened. Even with this depression and suicidal mind, these two women continue to have hope. Jasmine continues on with life and focuses on Bud and Du. Offred finds hope with the underground rescue group and she comes to terms with difficult things in her life.

Name changing is also a common link between Jasmine and Offred. With every new commander, Offred's name changes to Of plus the Commander's name. Jasmine's name changes from Jyoti, to Jasmine, to Jase and finally to Jane.

Both women have pasts that are fairly secret and close to their hearts. The difference though is that Offred is always thinking of her past life and referring to it, whereas Jasmine is totally removing her past self from her mind and heart. The similarities of these two women are remarkable once you dig a little deeper.