NationStates Jolt Archive

Righto. I have to write an essay on the themes of Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale". However, I have absolutely no idea as to the themes of this novel. Now, this normally wouldn't be a problem, however, according to my teacher, a theme is a statement on reality.

So, is there anyone out there who has read this novel that would be willing to help me figure out a statement of theme for it?

Besides 'ambigeous boring piece of shit'?

Ok... Uhm... Well, it's got themes about when oppression and roles go too far...

Righto. I have to write an essay on the themes of Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale". However, I have absolutely no idea as to the themes of this novel. Now, this normally wouldn't be a problem, however, according to my teacher, a theme is a statement on reality.

So, is there anyone out there who has read this novel that would be willing to help me figure out a statement of theme for it?

I haven't read it (because I can't find a copy so far, not for lack of trying) but I understand the general plot and theme enough.

The story's history starts off with the key officials of the United States government being assassinated by an Uber-Fundamentalist Christian Taliban group who takes control of the nation, having blamed the deaths on Muslims. The country is then renamed The Kingdom of Gilead. Other religions, non-whites and women are systematically stripped of basic fundamental rights.

Especially women. Women are forbidden from learning how to read and pictograph signs are placed in commercial locations as part of this rule. Women are also separated into different categories. Most important of these are the Handmaidens, whose sole purpose is to serve as breeding stocks for the male rulers of the Kingdom of Gilead. Any woman who cannot bear offspring are often sent to nuclear wastelands to serve as cleanup crew.

The story is narrated by the main character, a Handmaiden by the name of Offred and tells of how she remembered when the country used to be America, and of the days leading up to and after the Christian takeover.

Personally, along with 1984 I like to joke about this as being thought of as "Great rolemodels for running government" by the Bush Administration and their Religious Right supporters. :D

Righto. I have to write an essay on the themes of Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale". However, I have absolutely no idea as to the themes of this novel. Now, this normally wouldn't be a problem, however, according to my teacher, a theme is a statement on reality.

So, is there anyone out there who has read this novel that would be willing to help me figure out a statement of theme for it?
Theme is just a myth like global warming and Jesus. I accually cannot help you on your problem, but if you go in after school you will leave knowing the theme (whether seh helps you figurew it out, or gets pissed off and just tells you).

Never read the book, seems interesting though.

Theme is just a myth like global warming and Jesus. I accually cannot help you on your problem, but if you go in after school you will leave knowing the theme (whether seh helps you figurew it out, or gets pissed off and just tells you).

Would do, only it's due tomorrow. Gah, this is what I get for procrasinating.

I'd be fine if I could think up some statement that could plausibly be the theme, and that I could find a quotation to use as back-up for it, then I'd be good. Unfortunately my brain has gone completely blank.

Righto. I have to write an essay on the themes of Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale". However, I have absolutely no idea as to the themes of this novel. Now, this normally wouldn't be a problem, however, according to my teacher, a theme is a statement on reality.

So, is there anyone out there who has read this novel that would be willing to help me figure out a statement of theme for it?
The primary theme of that novel is role reversal. It puts caucasians in the position blacks held prior to the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

EDIT: Opps! Sorry, that was White Lotus. The Handmaid's Tale presupposes a Theocracy in the US and what happens to the role of women as a result of the extreme Patriarchy on which the Theocracy is based.

A theme for The Handmaid's Tale would be the tendency throughout history for patriarchal governments to subjugate women.

A theme for The Handmaid's Tale would be the tendency throughout history for patriarchal governments to subjugate women.

That's not really a theme. More sort of self-evident. I mean, how could patriarchal governments not subjugate women?

A better theme would way that the book explores the methods by which members of oppressed groups can gain influence with the existing the power structure, and consequently, end up supporting it against their own interests.

Or, the implied criticism of Margaret Thatcher types, and Andrea Dworkin, Catherine Mckinnon types, could be explored.

Teachers only make up themes to torture students. I once read a book (I forget what the title was, you all may know it...) where the entire thing was one warped peice of nonsense. The mom dies, and the entire family goes to take her rotting corpse into town on this wagon. One brother breaks his leg, and the set it in concrete. There's something about buzzards following the rotting corpse, and the dad finds himself a new wife, and another brother gets candy. And the entire book is just absolute rubbish about some completely insane people and their dysfunctional, irrational behavior. So my teacher said it was about "the circle of life". And the buzzards wheeling in the sky represented the circle of life. And the wagon wheels going around represented the circle of life. And I was SO close to making my hands around her scrawny little throat represent the circle of life too...

Don't EVER buy into the Theme of Literature unless the author themselves tells you there's a theme, and what it is.

Yeah, I mean, there isn't really a theme in this case. It's just about a dystopia where women have no rights.

Rather than doing your work for you, may I point you in the right direction by recommending "Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale," by Erica Joan Dymond, in The Explicator 61 (2003): 181-183... ?

You should check it out.

Dont know if it's much help (I have not read the book, although I've seen a film adaption), but, I would say major themes include;

'gender/family/reproduction/sexuality' structure and relations

the relationship between propaganda, power and 'social beliefs/practices'

the relationship between 'religion/ideology/morality-systems', power and 'social beliefs/practices'

Good luck with your assignment.