handmaids tale key points video

  • Atwood wrote in 1984/5 as a result of republican beliefs and democracy - relevant in current society with Roe vs Wade

  • all events in novel are real life events - Atwood used newspapers as reference

  • inspired by election of Ronald Reagan and push back of second wave feminism in 70s - return to religious fundamentalism

  • Reagen was against the equal rights amendment (ERA) as he believed they were already protected by the 14th amendment - attempted to reverse Roe vs Wade although was unsuccessful

  • novel is speculative fiction that is a depiction of a possible future - criticisms of current political state of USA

  • theocratic dystopian - society and its people have been negatively impacted because of a blur between religion and government

  • women are used as a political tool to bring about government desires (‘walking womb’) - outfits are a political symbol and vessel of control

  • night chapters allows freedom of imagination and wonder, strong contrast between past and present

  • red centre is a twisted depiction of an educational establishment

  • scrabble game is seen as a scene of dissent and rebellion showing the power of language (reading/writing was banned) - also shows developing relationship between O and commander

  • female freedom and identity are eroded - names are changed, jobs/means of earning are taken, can’t speak openly

  • wall is a symbol of Gilead punishment for those who don’t conform to ideals - way that officials can seek to publicly educate the population (consequences of dissent)

  • Jezebels acts as a setting to show hypocrisy of elite - ones who make rules also break them

  • commander rape was inspired by Nicolae Ceausescu’s dictatorship of Romania - anti abortion and contraception (banned in 1966) resulting in increased children in orphanages

  • O’s inner monologue and stream of consciousness acts as her own mental resistance - no one can silence or control

  • from historical notes historians try to construct Gilead events - speech starts with humour which can show how history glazes over realities (diminishes suffering) - time creates unawarness (ambiguity of what happens to O shows how history comes with distance and lack of empathy)

  • Atwood shows how history is cyclical

  • religious texts are manipulated to legitimise extremist agenda

  • latin is a symbol of rebellion and reinforces power of language

  • USA is known as ‘the leader of the free world’ - adds to shock of events and that it can happen anywhere (take nothing for granted)

  • religion is used to weaponise and punish rather than comfort - not personal but political (used selectively and schismatically to legitimise views)

  • relationship between O and doctor shows role of sex as a violating force of control and regulation

  • novel highlights how in a more regulated and dogmatic society people are more likely to rebel

  • demagogue - people who plead for votes and take advantage of fear (fear towards the Gilead regime keeps them in power)

  • utopia vs dystopia resembles a balanced scale - utopia for some is a dystopia for others (novel highlights this)