The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale

1. Context of Production

   • Published in 1984
   • (Ronald) Reaganism
     • Conservative political / economic ideologies dominating global geopolitics through 1980s
     • Implemented radical plan of conservative reform initiatives
       • Slashing taxes to reduce government spending
       • Establishing 'War on Drugs'
       • Invading Island of Granada as part of feverant anti-communist agenda
     • Even today, Reagan remains on of the most widely popular and iconic American Presidents, with conservative agenda having led to a major shift in American political thinking
   • Rise of Conservative Right Wing
     • Evangelical Christian groups - increasingly vocal in determination to influence public policy / social attitudes of religious belief
       • Advent of televangelism allowed for widespread dissemination of socially conservative condemnation
         • Darwinism
         • Scientific research
         • Homosexuality
         • Divorce
         • Abortion
         • Contraception
         • Obscenity
         • Pornography
   • 1980's Anti-Feminist Backlash
     • Media-driven wish to turn back the clock following the advances made by feminist campaigners in 1970s
       • 'Sexual Revolution' - 1960s, 1970s
   • Environmental concerns
     • After WW2 and atomic bombing of Hiroshima, increasing awareness of manifold ways in which humanity was putting the planet at risk gradually began sinking in with the general public
     • Oil Spills
     • Climate Change
     • Nuclear testing air pollution
     • Overuse of pesticides

2. Author's intentions

   • “Who knew that this would ever have to be defended? Childbirth care, pre-natal care, early childhood care — many people will not even be able to afford any of it. Dead bodies on the floor will result. It is frightful. Then there is the whole issue of sexual violence being used as control — it is such an old motif.”
   • “This is an act of hope”
   • Exploring consequences of reversal of human rights
     • Returning to traditional values
   • 'Speculative fiction'

3. Context of Reception

   • Religious controversy - where biblical notions are skewed, belittling religion?
     • 'So, in my book, I have the regime doing what totalitarian regimes do, which is eliminating the competition'
       • Showing contrast in different kinds of religion - those that enforce authority, and those that desire peace
         • Offred skews religion for her own sense of autonomy / power

4. Key Quotes

   • “To be seen – to be ‘seen’ – is to be – her voice trembled – penetrated. What you must be, girls, is impenetrable” - Aunt Lydia
     • Women = 'meek and mild'. Should be 'seen and not heard'
   • "Sacred Vessels"
   • '"Unwomen"
     • barren, stripped of 'biological destinies'
   • "The Colonies"
     • Radiation, nuclear destruction, infertility
   • "There's no such thing as a sterile man anymore, not officially"