The handmaids tale (copy)

when written, published, by who

written in western berlin in the early 1980’s, published 1985 by Margaret atwood

what type of novel does Margaret argue this to be and significance

Speculative fiction; believes these events could actually occur

setting

set in cambridge massachusetts under dystopian government of the republic of gilead who has replaced the US

• state previous ruled by theocratic puritans in the american colonial period

theocratic puritans

theocracy of gilead influenced by the 17th centuary puritans- rigid inhumaine theocracy

one reason why atwood may have released this novel

in response to the modern political scene in america.

• rise of the republicans eg. ronald reagan president throughout the 1980’s campaigned against abortion, attempted to weaken sexual harassment allegations

• reinforced by christian leaders urging the party to again diminish abortion rights + defeat the equal rights amendments

therefore used this novel to highlight how religion can be used as an excuse to reduce womens rights

modern day protests

examples of protests across the world for women, ongoing issue

• ireland in campaigning against abortion dressed up as handmaids objecting the government decisions over autonomy over there body in regards to abortion

structrual features of the handmaids tale

fractured chronology:fosters sense of disorientation+ mirrors offreds fragmented memories and experiances allowing reader to understand complexities of her world

1st person narritive: allows for an intimate and personal perspective allowing readers to emphasise with offred

bacjground of the novel

totalitarian regime where women are divided into different classes based on firtility: offred= handmaid, assigned to bear children for the ruling class