Handmaid's Tale

Question 1

How do we answer a Section B question?

Answer 1

• Identify hinge words/phrases in the question
• Identify 3/4 moments/characters which are relevant to the question
• Janus-faced sentences throughout the paragraphs to increase fluency

Introduction, 3/4 Paragraphs

Question 2

Themes of Handmaid’s Tale [6]

Answer 2

• Women’s bodies as political instruments
• Language as a tool of power: ‘Unwomen’ - feminist, ‘Children of Ham’, colonies, no words aside from ‘FAITH’ pillow, symbols to buy from shops
• Causes of complacency: sexual gratification from Offred’s relationship with Nick, Serena Joy’s authority
• Complicity: Offred accepting her role in Ceremony, Aunt’s being opressive
• The Male Gaze: “To be seen is to be- penetrated”, observed by male eyes, but uses femininity to adv?
• Reproduction: figures in power will always be tempted to control women’s bodies “A national resource”, New Right 20th C

Question 3

“The Personal is Political”

Answer 3

Carol Hanisch
“Women are messed over, not messed up!”
Atwood’s speculative fiction is “all plausable”

Question 4

How are men and women defined?

Answer 4

• Men are defined by their military ranks, whereas women are defined solely for their domestic role

Question 5

Language in Handmaid’s Tale

Answer 5

• Symbolism, ‘Unwomen’, the colonies, ranks of people, restriction of reading
• Echoes George Orwell’s ‘Newspeak’ in 1984
• Atwood protests the lack of female voices outside the domestic sphere through Offred’s assertive voice

Question 6

Serena Joy’s Complacency

Answer 6

• Is entirely miserable
• She jealously guards what little power she has and wields it eagerly -> digging her nails into Offred
• She exercises authority within her own household and seems to delight in her tyranny over Offred
• Essentially exercises the same authority Jewish police did under Nazi rule

Question 7

What role do the Aunts serve?

Answer 7

the same function for Gilead that the Jewish police did under Nazi rule