The Handmaid's Tale

Definition

The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood, set in a totalitarian society called Gilead, where women have been stripped of their rights and are forced into roles based on their fertility. The story follows Offred, a Handmaid, as she navigates a world that values women solely for their ability to bear children. This narrative explores themes of oppression, identity, and resistance, reflecting historical and cultural contexts that reveal how societies can devolve into authoritarian regimes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Handmaid's Tale was published in 1985 and has gained renewed popularity, especially in contemporary discussions around women's rights and autonomy.
2. Atwood's portrayal of Gilead draws on historical events and ideologies, including Puritanism and the rise of religious fundamentalism, highlighting real-world parallels.
3. The narrative is told from Offred's first-person perspective, allowing readers to intimately experience her thoughts and feelings as she copes with her oppressive circumstances.
4. The book raises questions about identity and agency, as Offred struggles with her role in a society that seeks to erase her individuality.
5. The Handmaid's Tale has been adapted into various media formats, including a successful television series that further explores its themes in a modern context.

Review Questions

• How does The Handmaid's Tale reflect the historical context of women's rights and societal norms at the time of its publication?
  • The Handmaid's Tale mirrors the historical struggles for women's rights during the 20th century, particularly the feminist movements of the 1960s and 70s. Atwood's depiction of Gilead serves as a warning against regressive policies that could strip women of their rights. The novel encourages readers to consider how quickly societal norms can shift toward oppression, particularly when fundamentalist ideologies gain traction.
• Analyze how Atwood’s use of first-person narration influences the reader's understanding of Offred’s character and her situation in Gilead.
  • Atwood's use of first-person narration allows readers to connect deeply with Offred’s emotions and experiences, providing an intimate glimpse into her struggles within a repressive regime. This perspective emphasizes her isolation and longing for freedom, making her plight more relatable. The narrative style also allows for a mix of past memories and present realities, illustrating how Offred’s identity is shaped by both her current situation and her memories of life before Gilead.
• Evaluate the significance of resistance in The Handmaid's Tale and how it challenges the totalitarian structure of Gilead.
  • Resistance plays a critical role in The Handmaid's Tale as characters like Offred engage in both subtle and overt acts of defiance against Gilead's oppressive regime. Through personal choices, secret meetings, and covert alliances, they assert their identities against dehumanization. This defiance not only illustrates individual resilience but also critiques the broader totalitarian structure by highlighting its inherent vulnerabilities. Atwood suggests that even in extreme repression, hope for change persists through acts of resistance, raising important questions about agency and freedom.

Related terms

Dystopia: A fictional society characterized by oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society, often used to explore social and political structures.

Totalitarianism: A political system in which the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Feminism: A movement advocating for women's rights on the basis of equality of the sexes, which is critically examined in the context of women's roles in The Handmaid's Tale.