Atwood portrays the women in her story more as liberators than as victims of oppression. The Handmaids willingly participate in agreements with the Commanders, the Aunts readily order other women of Gilead to take part in the new culture, and the women of Jezebel freely take part in the sexual acts requested of them; all of this conformity reflects Atwood's argument that Gilead is "not that bad" (Atwood 6). Atwood briefly exposes readers to the rebellious acts of the women of Gilead, but fails to acknowledge any progressive repercussions of such revolt. The reader may assume that Atwood is implying a sense of fulfillment on the part of his female characters. Although women are constantly oppressed in a patriarchal society, the few freedoms they receive should be enough to continue living in Gilead. Atwood understandably argues that Gilead is the exact opposite of a world that favors women, but in his writings he implies that the women of this time are ignorant and