The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Offred, a Handmaid in a dystopian society, struggles to survive and find freedom.
Summary
The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood. It is set in a near-future New England, in a totalitarian state resembling a theonomy, which has overthrown the United States government. The novel focuses on the journey of the handmaid Offred. Her name derives from the possessive form "of Fred"; handmaids are forbidden to use their birth names and must echo the male, or master, whom they serve. Offred is one of the few remaining fertile women in the oppressive Republic of Gilead and is forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world.
Interpretation
The Handmaid's Tale is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of oppression, freedom, and the power of the individual. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of a totalitarian society and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs.
Who is this book for?
The Handmaid's Tale is suitable for adults and mature teens.
Keywords
Dystopian, Oppression, Freedom, Power, Individual