Notes on Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale"

Margaret Atwood and “The Handmaid's Tale” as a Title

Overview of the Title

• Literal Meaning:

  • Offred, the protagonist, narrates her experiences, emphasizing her role as a handmaid.

  • Highlights Offred’s observant nature and her role as a storyteller.

  • The title conveys the theme of storytelling and the preservation of personal history.

• Identity:

  • Handmaids lack their own names, reflecting their loss of identity and humanity.

  • In the regime of Gilead, handmaids are viewed as part of a collective rather than individuals.

Biblical Epigraph and Its Implications

• Story of Jacob:

  • Quoted Epigraph from Genesis 30:1-3.

  • In the biblical narrative, Jacob has two wives (Rachel and Leah) and uses handmaids (Bilhah and Zilpah) to bear children when his wives are unable.

  • Important symbolism: Bilhah, the handmaid, remains voiceless, representing the disenfranchisement of women.

• Interpretive Risks:

  • The story underscores the dangers of literal biblical interpretation, reflective of how Gilead implements religious texts to justify its policies.

Origin of the Title

• Atwood’s Insight:

  • Originally titled “Offred,” signifying possession (i.e., belonging to Fred).

  • The term 'offered' suggests themes of sacrifice and religious undertones.

• Change to The Handmaid’s Tale:

  • Inspired by Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and folklore to illustrate the essence of storytelling through surreal events experienced by survivors of oppression.

Atwood's Personal Experiences in Berlin

• Influence of Observations:

  • During her stay in Berlin in 1984, Atwood perceived an atmosphere of surveillance and censorship, mirroring the repression seen in Gilead.

  • The Berlin Wall serves as a symbol of division and control, akin to the walls in Gilead that enforce isolation and repression.

• Symbolism of the Wall:

  • Represents fear and ideological domination, controlling the lives of citizens in both contexts.

Understanding Totalitarianism

• Definition:

  • A form of governance characterized by centralized control and dictatorial leadership, demanding total obedience from citizens.

  • Gilead exemplifies a fictional representation of totalitarianism.

• Examples from Modern History:

  • USSR (1917-1991), North Korea (1948-Present), Nazi Germany (1933-1945).

  • Encourages students to recognize similar patterns in contemporary regimes.

Margaret Atwood’s Political Views

• Warnings Against Totalitarianism:

  • Stressed the importance of free speech and the dangers posed by oppressive governments.

  • Cited the necessity of open dialogue to prevent atrocities spawned by silence.

• Advocacy:

  • Strong proponent of liberal feminism, social justice, and environmental activism.

  • Aligns more closely with first-wave feminism than with second-wave radical feminism.

Political Engagement in Contemporary Issues

• Active Participation:

  • Atwood has been vocal against climate change and criticized political figures like former President Trump.

  • Continues to raise awareness on various political causes relevant to social justice and women’s rights.

These notes summarize key components of Margaret Atwood's work and the themes embedded in "The Handmaid's Tale," drawing on both personal and broader societal discussions.