Final answer:
The Commander justifies the treatment of women in Gilead as protective, ensuring their provision and safety in contrast to previous societal dangers, revealing oppressive control over women's roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale,' the Commander justifies the subjugation of women in Gilead by arguing that it protects them. He suggests that before Gilead, women faced a myriad of dangers and insecurities, such as sexual violence and exploitation, which the current societal structure now prevents. Although not expounded in the question, within the narrative, the Commander provides specific reasons stating that women are now assured of being provided for and are protected from the competitive elements of the pre-Gilead society. Despite his justifications, this treatment of women is depicted as oppressive and a means to control women's bodies and roles in society. The Commander's viewpoints reflect a twisted ideological stance that positions women as lesser and needing control for their own benefit.