General Knowledge hm Flashcards
Who is the author of The Handmaid’s Tale?
Margaret Atwood
What is the primary setting of The Handmaid’s Tale?
The Republic of Gilead
True or False: The Handmaid’s Tale is set in a dystopian future.
True
What is the main role of Handmaids in Gilead?
To bear children for the ruling class.
Fill in the blank: The protagonist of The Handmaid’s Tale is named _______.
Offred
What does the term ‘Ceremony’ refer to in the novel?
The ritualized act of conception involving the Handmaid and the Commander.
Who is the leader of Gilead?
The Commander
What color do Handmaids wear?
Red
Multiple Choice: What is the main theme of The Handmaid’s Tale? A) Friendship B) Power and control C) Adventure D) Love
B) Power and control
What is the significance of the phrase ‘Nolite te bastardes carborundorum’?
It means ‘Don’t let the bastards grind you down’ and serves as a source of resistance for Offred.
True or False: Offred has a husband in Gilead.
False
What is the role of the Aunts in Gilead?
To train and indoctrinate Handmaids.
Fill in the blank: Gilead’s society is based on a fundamentalist interpretation of _______.
Christianity
What happens to women who are unable to conceive in Gilead?
They are often sent to the Colonies to work in toxic waste cleanup.
Who is Moira?
Offred’s friend from before Gilead who becomes a Handmaid.
True or False: The Eyes are a secret police force in Gilead.
True
What does Offred remember about her life before Gilead?
She remembers her family, job, and the freedoms she once had.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a role assigned to women in Gilead? A) Wives B) Marthas C) Aunts D) Lawyers
D) Lawyers
Fill in the blank: The Handmaid’s Tale explores themes of _______ and _______.
gender oppression; totalitarianism
What is the significance of names in The Handmaid’s Tale?
Names indicate a woman’s status and role, often being derived from the male owner (e.g., Offred means ‘Of Fred’).
What is the role of Marthas in Gilead?
To perform domestic tasks and cooking.
True or False: Offred has a romantic relationship with the Commander.
True
What does the term ‘the Colonies’ refer to?
Areas where women who are deemed unfit are sent to work in harsh conditions.
Who is Serena Joy?
The Commander’s wife.
Fill in the blank: The Handmaid’s Tale was published in _______.
1985
What is the significance of the color blue in the novel?
It is worn by the Wives and represents their status.
Multiple Choice: What event leads to the rise of Gilead? A) World War III B) A fertility crisis C) A natural disaster D) A global pandemic
B) A fertility crisis
Who is Nick?
The chauffeur who becomes involved with Offred.
True or False: The Handmaid’s Tale includes flashbacks to Offred’s past.
True
What does Offred do to cope with her situation?
She engages in memories and fantasies.
What is the ultimate fate of Offred at the end of the novel?
It is left ambiguous, suggesting her potential escape.
Fill in the blank: The Aunts enforce Gilead’s laws through _______.
fear and punishment
What is the role of the Wall in Gilead?
To display the bodies of those who have been executed.
Who are the Eyes of God?
The secret police who monitor the citizens of Gilead.
True or False: The Handmaid’s Tale is told from a first-person perspective.
True
What does Offred’s name signify?
Her subservience to the Commander.
What role does language play in Gilead?
Language is manipulated to control thought and behavior.
Fill in the blank: The Handmaid’s Tale explores the consequences of _______ and _______.
extremism; oppression
What does Offred often think about when she is alone?
Her daughter and her lost freedoms.
Who is the historical figure that the novel’s title references?
The Handmaid’s Tale references the biblical story of Rachel and Leah.
True or False: The Handmaid’s Tale has been adapted into a television series.
True
What do the Commanders do in Gilead?
They hold power and authority over the Handmaids and Wives.
What is Offred’s relationship with her mother?
She has a complicated and distant relationship with her mother.
Fill in the blank: The Handmaid’s Tale is often classified as a _______ novel.
dystopian
