Question

Please use chapters 19-46 of The Handmaid's Tale to answer ONE of the questions in 125-175 words. Please post response via screenshot only.

2. How credible does the novel seem? Can you find connections between present reality and the fictional future depicted in the novel?

3. What mechanisms of repression are used to ensure social compliance in Gilead? What are some the reasons Gilead was formed?

5. Why does Atwood emphasize language and semantics? For example, in the passage about working out? The games of Scrabble? Why is reading forbidden to women? Why is the Bible locked up? Or consider the section that begins with “I would like to believe this is story I’m telling” (Pt. III, section 7, p. 39 or 52 depending on your edition). What is the significance of this discussion of storytelling or the three different versions of Luke’s circumstances or the three versions of her first sexual encounter with Nic? Look for other instances of Atwood’s emphasis on writing and language and storytelling. Pay particular attention to her use of metaphor, simile, and other poetic devices.

8. Discuss her generosity of spirit towards Serena Joy and the Commander. What is important about this? What qualities does Offred possess that would enable a better society in the future? Compare her to Moira. What qualities does Moira have? Whose qualities would you rather have?

9. Discuss Offred’s complete collapse and surrender on p. 268: “I’ll stop complaining. I’ll accept my lot….” What is the political meaning of this passage? Consider what has happened to Moira. What has Offred learned about power and totalitarianism?

10. Discuss the men in the novel: Luke, Fred, and Nick as threats, saviors, father figures, etc. How are they enigmatic?

11. Why does Atwood include Offred’s recollection of the interview with a Nazi commandant’s mistress? What is Offred saying about humanity, the nature of good and evil, the face of evil and power?

12. What did Serena Joy do for Offred to persuade her to have sex with Nick? Consider the women at Jezebel’s. Compare this with Hayslip’s decision to have sex with the Marine.

13. Discuss the absence of a religious institution and ministers and priests. Look for misquoted scripture or ironic uses of biblical names (Loaves and Fishes, All Flesh). What is the effect of this absence and misuse?

14. Discuss objectification. How are people objectified-made into things or categories? What is the purpose? Considered Offred’s story of the cat.

15. Discuss contradictions or hypocrisy in Gilead society.

HISTORICAL NOTES

16. Look at the introductory passage in the “Historical Notes.” This Symposium take place in Nunavut. Look this up on Google and read about this history and formation of Nunavut. Why is this location significant? What does it tell you about geographical borders, country formation, permanence, and the stability of national borders of countries conquered by Europeans (Canada, South Africa, the U.S., Vietnam, etc.)

17. Discuss Atwood’s focus on history. Look for examples of the text as history (p. 144), the importance of history, the Historical Notes. Do you understand your own history and the history of women in the U.S., worldwide?

18. Who is the chair of the Twelfth Symposium on Gileadean Studies? In what department does she work? Why is this significant?

19. Professor James Darcy Pieixoto calls Offred's story "the crumbs the Goddess of History has deigned to vouchsafe us." What would he prefer to have instead of Offred's story? What does his preference say about the status of women in future? Find the sexual innuendo and sexism in his speech.What do the “Historical Notes” do to our understanding of the novel and to Offred’s story?

Answer 1

2. The novel is written in a dystopian style futuristic world that is dominated by the Gilead who overtakes the US government and all the other cultural and religious organizations in order to promote the lifestyle presented in the old testament. Women were used as sex toys and they were used to reproduce children for the commanders and they were grouped according to the ranks. This is highly fictional and no such fundamental groups would be ever allowed to evolve and even the white supremist thinkers such as those belonging to the Ku Klux Klan who hold on to the Bible and suggests that America belongs to them are looked down by even the white majority. Thus, it’s only an imaginary world that doesn’t reflect the present reality as women have progressed much and US is preparing to enter into a new era of solidarity and stability by accepting everyone as equals.

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