The Handmaid’s Tale – Margret Attwood
A handmaid in bible, a servant or subservient partner that carries children for someone
Theocracy: A system of governance or system of ruling a society where priests rule in the
name of God
Sect: A small group of people with philosophical, religious or political belief system
Background: Set in America, American government has been overthrown and a theocracy
has been put in place. Theocracy is based on Christianity; it is a reactionary society. White,
middle-class America, where the fertility rates have had a radical decrease and therefore
decrease in population due to unrest. Republic Of Gilead is the name of the new society,
very hierarchal.
Written against backdrop of 2nd wave
feminism in late 1980’s
Clothing: All red clothing, represents
menstrual blood of handmaids and
reminder of sexuality. Symbolic of
powerlessness as an individual. Bonnets
are white which represents purity and
innocence
,
A handmaid in bible, a servant or subservient partner that carries children for someone
Theocracy: A system of governance or system of ruling a society where priests rule in the
name of God
Sect: A small group of people with philosophical, religious or political belief system
Background: Set in America, American government has been overthrown and a theocracy
has been put in place. Theocracy is based on Christianity; it is a reactionary society. White,
middle-class America, where the fertility rates have had a radical decrease and therefore
decrease in population due to unrest. Republic Of Gilead is the name of the new society,
very hierarchal.
Written against backdrop of 2nd wave
feminism in late 1980’s
Clothing: All red clothing, represents
menstrual blood of handmaids and
reminder of sexuality. Symbolic of
powerlessness as an individual. Bonnets
are white which represents purity and
innocence
,
