Info/Interpretations Handmaids Tale Flashcards
Connotations of the name ‘Offred’ (Her name)
The word “Offred” is patronymic (A name derived from a father or ancestor) of “Fred” which is the name of the Commander. This reminds us that he owns and objectifies her, to the point that she is an extension of him, especially in “the club”
Connotations of the name ‘The Aunts’ (the teachers in the red centre)
The connotation of “Aunt” is fond and trustable however in reality they are uncaring and harsh. This also shows that the girls are meant to see them as family and treat them as such.
Connotations of the name ‘The angels’ (the police force)
Meant to symbolise protection and divinity however in the book they are more like those in the “Old Testament” much more a symbol of fear, judgment and consequence.
Connotations of the name ‘The eyes’
Seem very human, but also have religious connotations such as the “eyes of god”, the idea that god is everywhere and all knowing (omnipotent) much like the dictatorship and their societal network of control.
Connotations of the title ‘a handmaids tale’
Use of the word “Handmaid’s” shows its her story and her voice.
It also dehumanises her, avoiding use of her name, this puts emphasis that her role in life is to be this “Handmaid” and its the only personality she is allowed. Restriction of identity. Also reinforced by the fact that it’s just “the”.
“Tale” is also important to note as suggests it’s just a story.
Connotations of the name ‘Angel makers’
In the book this is a doctor that carried out abortions when they were still legal, the symbolism of “angel” shows that they see babies as “pure” and “holy”, angel maker also avoids the topic of killing, as if its hard to talk about
Connotations of the shop names
The shop names, such as “loaves and fishes”, refer to biblical moments of abundance. This is ironic as food is scarce in the Handmaids Tale. Note that this is similar to the “ministry of plenty” in 1984
What was Atwoods reason for writing the book?
Atwood said that she “wanted to try a dystopia from the female point of view, the world according to Julia”, giving a voice to women in literature, not just the writers but the characters too.
She also aimed to challenge the religious right in america.
What is “L’ecriture féminine”?
Atwood was very influenced by the idea of “L’ecriture féminine” (woman’s writing) a concept first used in the essay “The laugh of medusa” by Hélène Cixous in 1975, the idea behind it is shown here…
“A Woman must write her self, must write about women and bring them to writing, from which they have been driven away as violently as from their bodies” (Hélène Cixous)
What is the quote from “The laugh of medusa” by Hélène Cixous in 1975?
“A Woman must write her self, must write about women and bring them to writing, from which they have been driven away as violently as from their bodies” (Hélène Cixous)
What does the book aim to combat in America?
The book warns against a theocracy and dictatorship, drawing on issues in America such as Ronald Reagan presidency and the backlash to the second wave of feminism.
What is the Republic of Gilead?
The Republic of Gilead is the dictatorship in The Handmaids Tale.
We know that they they were genuinely trying to do good and make
things better as the commander says to Offred “We thought we
could do better but better doesn’t mean better for everyone”,
revealing that the nature of the Republic was originally for the
greater good but they didn’t take into account everyone. (Offred)
Note that while the Commanders seemingly have total control, they
still answer to god, represented here by the eye. (this highlights the fact that its a Theogony)
It upholds the same class system as our own, with a similar tired
system to our own, with those at the top controlling all below them
What is a Theocracy?
a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god.
What is Puritanism?
Puritans, they wanted to reform the Church of England in 17th century. They were persecuted for their religion and escaped to America, they then created a society where they persecuted others.
They began with Utopian ideals but the first public buildings built were a prison and a scaffold (to hang people).
Atwood of course aimed to challenge this within the book.
What were the Religious right?
The Christian right are Christian political factions characterized by their strong support of socially conservative and traditionalist policies.
They had many values Atwood didn’t agree with such as an anti-abortion agenda.
What is Jezebells and how can we interpret this?
Jezebel’s is the name given to several brothels and sex clubs where certain women are sent to work as prostitutes under the Republic of Gilead.
The women sent to these are those considered rebellious or against the republic agenda, such as being lesbian (Moira)
The name for this likely comes from
Jezebel is a biblical character who convinces her husband, king of Israel to wage a war, committing sin.
She is punished for this and thrown out of a window by her servant.
Therefore the women that work here are being compared to ‘Jezebel’, suggesting that they are corrupting to men, who are compared to the ‘king’
She finds Moria in here, who is referred to as a “gender traitor” for being a lesbian
Jezebel’s tears down the ideals of Gilead as it is sinful in the eyes of the dictatorship, but still exists as those in power are sinful. This gives Offred hope.
Connotations of the name ‘Jezebel’s’
Jezebels in the book is the sex clubs where certain women are sent to work as prostitutes under the Republic of Gilead.
The women sent to these are those considered rebellious or against the republic agenda, such as being lesbian (Moira)
The name for this likely comes from
Jezebel, a biblical character who convinces her husband, king of Israel to wage a war, committing sin.
She is punished for this and thrown out of a window by her servant.
Therefore the women that work here are being compared to ‘Jezebel’, suggesting that they are corrupting to men, who are compared to the ‘king’
She finds Moria in here, who is referred to as a “gender traitor” for being a lesbian
Jezebel’s tears down the ideals of Gilead as it is sinful in the eyes of the dictatorship, but still exists as those in power are sinful. This gives Offred hope.
Interpretation of the flowers in HT
In the Handmaids Tale, Offred refers often to flowers, in an attempt to make the story less depressing (as she says towards the end of the book), this presents nature as hopeful and powerful as she knows that the dictatorship can’t get rid of these flowers as they will pop up regardless. Similar to the few rebellious Handmaids, they cant fully stop them as more will crop up.
The flowers are also presented as rebellious, in the line… ‘the bleeding hearts, so female in shape it was a surprise they’d not been rooted out’ 161. Here we see another link to the flowers being presented as similar to the Handmaids, so ‘female in shape’
What is the reason for the decline in fertility in Gilead?
Its also important to note that the reason for the decline in fertility in Gilead is due to nuclear waste, which reflects the fear of nuclear disaster at the time, and the concern for the environment.
This was an influence from a book called ‘silent spring’ by Rachael Carson on the effects of DDT (a pesticide) on the environment and our futures.
What is the significance of the Framing Narrative in HT?
The Framing Narrative in HT gives us clear evidence that the regime will fall. A hopeful ending and a comment that totalitarian regime cannot maintain control.
In HT the ‘historical notes’ are set in the future, spoken by a Professor giving a talk on the past.
We see hope in the note with reference to a female professor, this shows that the women in this time can have key roles and power.
There is however sexism in these notes, written by a male Professor who says he ‘enjoys the artic chair’, ‘enjoy’ being a euphemism for sex, so the chair of the government of this future society becomes reduced to a sexist joke
