A bachelor, a studio, those were the names for that kind of apartment. Separate entrance it would say in the ads, and that meant you could have sex, unobserved.
The quote from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" highlights the specific terminology used to describe bachelor apartments, particularly studio apartments. These living spaces are often deemed private, with a separate entrance indicating a level of independence that allows for personal activities, such as intimate relationships, to occur without external scrutiny. This sets up a stark contrast between the concept of personal freedom and the oppressive societal norms depicted in the narrative.
Atwood's reference to the discrete nature of these apartments serves as a commentary on the larger themes of autonomy and control in her dystopian world. In a society where personal rights, especially regarding sexuality, are heavily regulated, the idea of a “bachelor” space becomes a symbol of lost liberties. The juxtaposition of independence represented by a studio apartment against the backdrop of the regime's strict surveillance underscores the protagonist's struggle for freedom and self-identification.
