The Handmaids's Tale, written by Margeret Atwood illustrates the dominant power that men can have over women in such living standards that requires mental strength and optimism. The isolation and inconsistent attention that these women receive are merely a reflection of the respect given to the women by the men of this town- Husband, Commander, Etc. The main character, Offred, is a handmaid that has been taken away from the rural life that she has once lived and now has to take on the qualities and characteristics of the women she now surrounds. She has been forced to change her lifestyle, give up her rights, most of her knowledge, and also her dignity. As she changes lifestyles, unable to adapt as easily as others, the author builds understanding of how she feels about the surroundings being changed and a new lifestyle being added on. "Time here is measured by bells, as once in nunneries,"(8) a thought that is made, comparing a life that she once knew to the one that she must now be forced to live. As she connects the two, the author emphasizes the tragedy in this major move. Finding no positivity within this situation she tries to adapt; so many requirements, restrictions, rules, regulations, expectations, and moral values that one could never fully adapt and be become accustomed to this life. "The night is mine, my own time, to do with as I will, as long as I am quiet...As long as I lie still", (37) Offred will never be able fully settle in. As she tries during the day to seem as normal as possible, she gets to release herself at night, she can be who she wants to be. By illustrating the importance of this time to herself, the author emphasizes how much of an impact the change has made on her. The tragedy of the big change that was made in her life and how she is adapting, emphasizes how much power the domination of men actually have.