After reading The Handmaid's Tale, I felt that social complacency was the most critical aspect to the success of the Gilead Society. The Republic of Gilead is governed by a strict Old Testament religious doctrine. This government does not tolerate anyone who does not conform, it is driven primarily by fear. Fear of death or the wall or being sent to radioactive colonies. This new government is cruel towards women, it has stripped them of their humanity under the guise of protecting them. This new republic forced women to give up work, prohibited them from reading, controlled or regulated sexual activity as well as reproduction and birth, prohibited or restricted speech between women, and even renamed women to suit a more biblical society vision. The government's goal is to turn women into stupid, submissive slaves dependent on men. The Republic of Gilead is based on "traditional values" with strictly patriarchal families. The genders are strictly divided in this book, both men and women have a strict protocol they must follow. Both men and women are separated by class and social status defined by the color they wear. Gilead Society segregated women into different caste systems. There are six main categories in the caste system. The first are the Wives, who wear blue dresses and are at the top of the female hierarchy. Their main purpose is to reproduce with their husbands, if they are unable the Handmaids are used. Then there are the Daughters, natural or adopted daughters of the ruling class. They tend to wear white until marriage. Next come the Handmaids, fertile women whose sole purpose is to bear children for their wives. The handmaids wear a red outfit with red gloves, red shoes and... in the center of the card... that it was the participation of women that allowed the government to regulate every aspect of their public and private lives. . Women like the aunts, especially Aunt Lydia, were willing participants in the republic by indoctrinating women into the new way of life. Women have become the eyes and ears of the government, condemning other women who do not respect the laws. If women had had the strength to rebel, perhaps they wouldn't have been able to change much but at least they were taking a stand on what they believed in. The government had such control over every aspect through rules, behaviors and rituals followed by the people with little to no questions from the people. This is why I believe social complacency played such an important role in the success of the Republic of Gilead. Works Cited Artwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. New York: McClelland & Stewart, 1985. Print.