Difference between revisions of "The Handmaid's Tale"
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'''''The Handmaid's Tale''''' is a futuristic novel by [[Margaret Atwood]] about women suffering under a fictional, oppressive, male-centered theocracy in the [[United States of America]]. It was first published in 1985, and made into a movie in 1990. | '''''The Handmaid's Tale''''' is a futuristic novel by [[Margaret Atwood]] about women suffering under a fictional, oppressive, male-centered theocracy in the [[United States of America]]. It was first published in 1985, and made into a movie in 1990. | ||
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| + | =="Freedom of" versus "Freedom from"== | ||
| + | It could be argued that the main theme of the novel is "freedom of" (as in freedom to say whatever you want) and "freedom from" (as in protected from other people's questionable form of communication). Such a theme is revealed early in Offred's memory, as she recolects her childhood when her mother brought her to a protest of women burning magazine's they donot agree with. The sucsessor to the US government, the Republic of Gilead, created a society with a single set of values, that is a literal interpretation of the Old Testement, to ensure, at least on the surface, that noone's feelings will be hurt. The ultimate "Do not yell fire in the theater" world. | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 15:58, June 21, 2008
The Handmaid's Tale is a futuristic novel by Margaret Atwood about women suffering under a fictional, oppressive, male-centered theocracy in the United States of America. It was first published in 1985, and made into a movie in 1990.
"Freedom of" versus "Freedom from"
It could be argued that the main theme of the novel is "freedom of" (as in freedom to say whatever you want) and "freedom from" (as in protected from other people's questionable form of communication). Such a theme is revealed early in Offred's memory, as she recolects her childhood when her mother brought her to a protest of women burning magazine's they donot agree with. The sucsessor to the US government, the Republic of Gilead, created a society with a single set of values, that is a literal interpretation of the Old Testement, to ensure, at least on the surface, that noone's feelings will be hurt. The ultimate "Do not yell fire in the theater" world.
External links
- Plot overview by Spark Notes
- Study guide by Paul Brians, Department of English, Washington State University, Pullman
- The Handmaid's Tale at the Internet Movie Database