The Handmaid's Tale: Context & Writers Techniques (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes

The Handmaid's Tale: Context & Writers Techniques

Context

Brief Biography of Margaret Atwood

Early Life:

• Margaret Atwood, the second of three children, grew up in the Canadian woods, influenced by her father's work as an entomologist. She has been writing since childhood. Education:

• Atwood received a bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto and a master's degree from Radcliffe College, the former women's college affiliated with Harvard. She studied Victorian novels, which shaped her belief that novels should address societal issues. Major Works:

• The Handmaid's Tale (1985) is her most famous work, frequently referenced in discussions on women's rights and theocratic societies.

  

Career:

• Atwood has taught writing and English at various universities in Canada and the US. She has published numerous books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, receiving critical acclaim and major literary prizes.

The Novel's History

• When and Where Written: The Handmaid's Tale was written in the early 1980s in West Berlin.
• Publication: The novel was published in 1985.
• Initial Reception: The novel received critical acclaim and has become a significant work in feminist literature and speculative fiction.

Literary Contexts

Historical and Political Context

• 17th-Century Puritans: Atwood was influenced by her research on American Puritans, who established a rigid and inhumane theocracy. This historical context helped shape the dystopian society of Gilead.
• Modern Political Scene: The novel responds to the rise of the religious right in America during the 1970s and 1980s. Figures like Jerry Falwell pushed for conservative policies, including reducing abortion rights and opposing the Equal Rights Amendment. The Handmaid's Tale explores how religion can be used to justify the reduction of women's rights, a relevant issue in many parts of the world today.

Cultural and Social Context

• Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: The novel's title references Chaucer's mediaeval collection of stories, highlighting the long tradition of storytelling that critiques religious hypocrisy.
• Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter: The novel shares themes with Hawthorne's work, particularly regarding labelling and female shame.
• Dystopian Literature: Atwood's novel is often compared to George Orwell's 1984, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, and Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange. These works explore political dystopias that reflect real-world issues.

Philosophical, Religious, and Intellectual Ideas

• Women's Rights: The novel critically examines the suppression of women's rights and autonomy under a theocratic regime.
• Religious Hypocrisy: Atwood explores the use of religious doctrine to justify oppressive societal structures, questioning the integrity of those who wield such power.
• Speculative Fiction: Atwood prefers the term speculative fiction for the novel, emphasising that its events could realistically occur, as opposed to the more fantastical elements of traditional science fiction.

Useful Concepts to Be Aware of in the Novel

• First Person Limited POV: The novel is narrated by Offred in the first person, providing a personal and intimate perspective on the dystopian society of Gilead.
• Dystopian Setting: The story is set in Cambridge, Massachusetts, now under the control of the Republic of Gilead, a theocratic regime that has replaced the United States.
• Themes of Control and Resistance: The novel explores themes of control, resistance, and survival in a society that dehumanises and subjugates women.
• Symbolism: The novel uses powerful symbols, such as the colour red and the Handmaid's uniform, to convey themes of fertility, control, and rebellion.

Writer's Techniques

Structure and Plot

Non-linear Narrative

• Atwood employs a non-linear narrative structure, shifting between the protagonist Offred's present life in Gilead and her memories.
• This structure emphasises the contrast between the oppressive regime of Gilead and the relative freedom of the past, illustrating how quickly societal norms can change.

Historical Notes

• The novel concludes with a section titled "Historical Notes on The Handmaid's Tale," presented as a lecture given in the future.
• This framing device provides a distant perspective on Gilead, suggesting that while its regime has fallen, the issues it raised are still relevant.

Language and Style

Stream of Consciousness

• Atwood uses a stream-of-consciousness technique to convey Offred's thoughts and feelings directly to the reader.
• This style allows for an intimate portrayal of Offred's internal struggles and resistance against Gilead's control.

Biblical and Religious Language

• The language of Gilead is heavily influenced by the Bible, reflecting the theocratic nature of the regime.
• Terms like "Handmaid," "Commander," and "Ceremony" are derived from religious texts, highlighting how religion is manipulated to justify oppression.

Imagery

• Atwood's vivid imagery, particularly related to colour, enhances the thematic depth of the novel.
• Red, the colour of the Handmaids' uniforms, symbolises fertility, sexuality, and violence, encapsulating the Handmaids' role and suffering.

Symbols

The Colour Red

• Red is the dominant colour of the Handmaids' attire, symbolising fertility and menstruation, but also connoting blood, violence, and shame.
• The red tulips in Serena Joy's garden are a recurring image, representing both the hope for fertility and the underlying violence of Gilead.

The Eye

• The symbol of the eye represents surveillance and the omnipresence of Gilead's authoritarian control.
• The Eyes are the secret police, and their emblem, an eye, is a constant reminder of the regime's intrusive monitoring.

The Wall

• The Wall, where the bodies of executed traitors are displayed, symbolises the public spectacle of punishment and the pervasive atmosphere of fear in Gilead.
• It serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of dissent and the regime's control over life and death.