Aunts Quote by Margaret Atwood
““No empire imposed by force or otherwise has ever been without this feature: control of the indigenous by members of their own group. In the case of Gilead, there were many women willing to serve as Aunts, either because of a genuine belief in what they called "traditional values", or for the benefits they might thereby acquire. When power is scarce, a little of it is tempting.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1985
Power structures rely on co‑opted insiders; even oppressive regimes enlist members of the dominated group to enforce control.
In simple terms: Oppressive regimes use insiders to maintain control.
Key Takeaway
Watch for insiders who legitimize oppression.
Themes
power
control
collaboration
gender
politics
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- political movements
- corporate cultures
- community leadership
- reform initiatives
Key Concepts
co‑optation
legitimacy
social hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from the power you hold?
- How can you prevent co‑optation?
A Different Perspective
Even with insiders, resistance can arise from within.
![“The disinterest [of my two great-aunts] in anything that had to do with high society was such that their sense of hearing ... put to rest its receptor organs and allowed them to suffer the true beginnings of atrophy.” quote by Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08f/marcel-proust-114_atrophy_the-disinterest-of-my-two-great-aunts-in_172597.jpg)
