The Handmaid's Tale: Who is Agnes Jemima?
Have you ever wondered why children are so willing to believe in Santa Claus? They reach an age where they can understand the basics. They know that reindeer can't fly and that it's impossible for a sleigh to cross the world in one night, but they still cling to the fantasy. They're in love with the idea of magic; the rules of the universe bending and shaping for the sake of a good story. Parents around the world recognize that and they use it to their advantage. In Greece, they make up stories about Lamia, a rainbow serpent with the head of a woman that eats naughty children. In parts of Eastern Europe, they use Baba Yaga, a vicious hag that flies around in a mortar wielding a pestle. They believe every word, no matter how ridiculous it is, or how impossible it might seem. They do this because they have to. We are all born with a blank slate, ready to be filled with the knowledge we need to feed ourselves, keep ourselves safe, and maneuver through life. But we have to be willing to receive that knowledge, which is why children are so malleable. When their parents tell them to beware of a predator, they have to accept that message, even if they have no proof that the predator is real. They can't trust their own understanding of things, so they look to someone else to tell them what to believe.
