Gender

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

When THT was written women were gaining more civil rights.
However faced with disapproval from religious and conservative groups.
Fears of a society like Gilead.

Question 2

When was the first wave?

Answer 2

1848-1920

Question 3

Important facts of the first wave

Answer 3

Led by middle class white woman.
Given the right to vote except black woman.

Question 4

When was the second wave?

Answer 4

1960-1980

Question 5

Important facts of the second wave

Answer 5

Expanded reproductive rights
Equal pay act 1963
Roe-v-wade legalised abortion

Question 6

When was the third wave?

Answer 6

1990-2010

Question 7

Important facts of the third wave

Answer 7

Include all races, classes, culture
Reclaim derogatory terms
Expand discussion about violence on woman

Question 8

When was the fourth wave?

Answer 8

2012-Present

Question 9

Important facts of the fourth wave

Answer 9

Rejection of gender norms
Me too movement

Question 10

Liberal feminism

Answer 10

Mainstream focus on legal and political reform to achieve equality.

Question 11

Radical feminism

Answer 11

All races, class and sexuality’s are considered.
Male supremacy eliminated.

Question 12

Who represents radical feminism?

Answer 12

Moira
Offred’s mother

Question 13

Feminity

Answer 13

Division of different identities which present feminist ideals

Question 14

What do handmaids represent?

Answer 14

Reproduction

Question 15

‘Two legged wombs’ Technique

Answer 15

Synecdoche as womb represents the whole woman.

Question 16

‘Two legged wombs’ Meaning

Answer 16

Implies not seen as people but as sacred vessels for reproduction.

Question 17

What do wives represent?

Answer 17

Domesticity

Question 18

‘She does not make speeches any more, she’s speechless’ Technique

Answer 18

Irony

Question 19

‘She does not make speeches any more, she’s speechless’ Meaning

Answer 19

Hypocrisy as she protested for woman to have traditional roles however now is in spite of it.

Question 20

‘She does not make speeches any more, she’s speechless’ Who is Atwood criticising here?

Answer 20

Conservative woman

Question 21

What do the Martha’s represent?

Answer 21

Housekeeping

Question 22

A quote which signifies that hierarchy pits women against eachother in Gilead

Answer 22

‘All envy eachother something’ Ch8

Question 23

‘A drawing of a foetus’

Answer 23

Abortion doctors
symbolise reproductive rights in a society that has none.

Question 24

‘Gender treachery’

Answer 24

Heteronormative gender ideals meant those not straight considered gender traitors.

Question 25

‘Electric cattle’

Answer 25

Use violence so handmaids conform.
Permitted to break gender norms to serve the patriarchy they live in.

Question 26

‘Unwoman’

Answer 26

Negative prefix of ‘un’ indicates that woman who can not have children exist in a symbolic void. Reproduction categorised as womanhood.

Question 27

‘There’s no doubt who holds the real power’

Answer 27

American’s ideals of masculinity seen in the commander.

Question 28

Commander maintains power through sexism

Answer 28

‘Woman can’t add’

Question 29

‘Better never means better for everyone’

Answer 29

The commander acknowledges injustice but does nothing to change it.

Question 30

Luke Showing subconscious misogyny

Answer 30

Found the woman ‘Funny’ who was preaching about woman’s rights as it did not effect him.

Question 31

‘I want Luke here I want to be valued’ Ch17

Answer 31

Luke provides Offred with comfort and value.

Question 32

‘Were mirrors’

Answer 32

Offred feels most equal with Nick

Question 33

‘I did not do it for him but for myself entirely’

Answer 33

Affair is empowering with Nick and gives Offred identity