context Flashcards
Dystopian fiction
three novels and links to THMT
1984, Orwell - surveillance, eyes, newspeak
Brave New World, Huxley - caste system, reproduction control
Fahrenhite 451, Bradbury - banning of books
What did Atwood describe THMT as? (_ fiction)
speculative fiction
Totalitarian regimes (four examples and links to THMT)
Iran - strict dress code especially for women, limited education for women
USSR - survilance, 1/9 citizens informants, Berlin wall (The Wall hmt)
Nazi Germany - lebensbraun, burning of books, no personal freedom, hitler youth
Ceausescu’s Romania - trying to increase population
Who was Mary Webster?
Atwoods relative
hanged for being a ‘witch’ in 1600
survived
Where did Atwood write THMT, why is this significant?
In west Berlin, close to the USSR
visited USSR and was influenced by seeing surveillance, repurposing of old buildings, terror
also removed from events in USA, more objective
List significant things happening in America in 1980s
Cold War Fertility fears Second Wave feminism Civil rights (60s) American new right/Reagan Climate change awarness
Puritanism
strict rules of dress and behaviour especially for women
first structures erected in puritain new England were signs of oppression - prison and gallows
fundamentalist christian views
16th and 17th century
Salem with trials and women v. women
‘witches’ were imprisoned because of accusations from young girls
Atwood was born at the beginning of which major world event?
WW2
What trope does Atwood subvert in THMT?
masculine dystopia
Who was Serena Joys character inspired by?
Phylis Schfly
