The Handmaid's Tale

Definition

The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood that portrays a totalitarian society called Gilead, where women's rights are severely restricted and fertility is valued above all else. In this world, women are subjugated and categorized based on their reproductive capabilities, with 'handmaids' being forced to bear children for the ruling class. This narrative explores themes of power, resistance, and the consequences of extreme social control.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Handmaid's Tale was published in 1985 and has gained renewed attention in contemporary discussions around women's rights and bodily autonomy.
2. In Gilead, women are stripped of their identities and are categorized into roles such as Wives, Marthas, and Handmaids, illustrating the extreme control over their lives.
3. The protagonist, Offred, serves as a voice for resistance, as her inner thoughts reveal her memories of life before Gilead, highlighting the loss of freedom.
4. Religious fundamentalism is a key element in Gilead's governance, as biblical justifications are used to enforce laws that oppress women.
5. The novel raises questions about agency and complicity, showing how individuals can be both victims and enforcers within oppressive systems.

Review Questions

• How does The Handmaid's Tale depict the relationship between power and gender in Gilead?
  • The Handmaid's Tale illustrates a stark relationship between power and gender through the enforced roles assigned to women in Gilead. Women are stripped of their autonomy and reduced to functions based on their reproductive capabilities. The ruling class maintains power by controlling women's bodies and denying them rights, which underscores how gender inequality is institutionalized in this dystopian society. Offred’s perspective reveals the devastating effects of this power dynamic on women's identities and freedoms.
• In what ways does the narrative structure of The Handmaid's Tale enhance its themes of subversion and containment?
  • The narrative structure of The Handmaid's Tale uses a first-person perspective to create an intimate connection between Offred and the reader. This choice allows readers to experience her internal struggles and resistance against the containment imposed by Gilead. Through flashbacks, Atwood contrasts Offred’s current oppressive existence with her memories of freedom, emphasizing her longing for autonomy. This duality effectively highlights themes of subversion as Offred navigates her restricted environment while simultaneously resisting it mentally.
• Evaluate the implications of resistance in The Handmaid's Tale and how it reflects on real-world issues related to women's rights.
  • The Handmaid's Tale presents resistance as both a personal and collective struggle against an oppressive regime. Offred’s acts of rebellion, no matter how small, signify the importance of agency in a society that seeks to suppress it. This narrative resonates with real-world issues regarding women's rights, especially in contexts where reproductive freedoms are under threat. Atwood’s portrayal emphasizes that resistance can take many forms, encouraging readers to reflect on their role in advocating for equality in today's socio-political climate.

Related terms

Dystopia: A fictional society that is characterized by oppressive societal control, often under the guise of being utopian.

Feminism: A movement advocating for women's rights and equality, which is a central theme in The Handmaid's Tale as it critiques patriarchal 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.