The+Handmaid's+Tale

The Handmaid's Tale By Margaret Atwood

Summary: The narrator lives in the Republic of Gilead, a new totalitarian government that overthrew the American governent and established religious rule. Women have been stripped of all rights, including the rights to read, hold a job, and even to own property. Women are only valued as a set of ovaries, and any woman without them are treated as dirt or worse. Almost any belief that opposes the theocracy is struck down through common executions of nonbelievers including Jews, Blacks, Catholics, and even Baptists. Women who have working ovaries and as such are put to use for that purpose as Handmaids are forced to wear long red dresses and winged hats that block peripheral vision and cover a woman's face. The Handmaids are treated as property for the super-powerful Commanders who were the architects of Gilead's government. Because the narrator is the property of Commander Fred, she has been named "Offred" and must have sex with the commander at the best possible moment to maximize chances of concieving. After her third attempt at conception, if she is not sucessful, she will be sent to the colonies where she will quickly die. To find the optimal time of conception, Offred visis the doctor, who, because he is a man, has the ability to blackmail her into sex if he so chooses. Since it is her third attempt at conception, the doctor offers to save her by helping her pregnant. He knows that there is a likely chance that the Commander is sterile, but Gilead has modified the rules of diagnosis such that men cannot be considered sterile, and that all failed conceptions are at the fault of the woman. If she accepts the offer, she risks being caught and put to death or worse, but if she refuses, the doctor has the power to fabricate any alibi blaming her for something and she may be put to death. She must participate in the conception Ceremony, where she must go through an unromantic sexual encounter. Afterwards another handmaid is witnessed to give birth to a female, and Offred mentions that she feels sorry for her due to the baby's sex. The Commander's wife offers to assist her as well in conceiving, and suggests that she have sex with Nick, the Commander's driver. Also, the Commander invites Offred to his office, in attempt to have a romantic relationship with her, but she is not willing to let him, because he was the cause of her problems in the first place. He lets her play Scrabble, forbidden for women. He eventually invites Offred to a bar named Jezebels, and there she meets Moira, a past feminist activist and freind, who is now a prostitute for the Commanders. Afterwards, she returns, but quickly is caught. A black van arrives to take her away, only to discover that she will be brought to safety, and whether she is or isn't is a complete mystery.

Characters: - Offred - Ofglen-- Freind of Offred, part of resistance to Gilead - Commander - Commander's Wife - Janine - Moira - Offred's Mother -- strong advocate for women's rights, sent to the colonies - Nick

Themes: - Religious Intolerance- Gilead's control is based on this - Women's rights and the treatment of women- Simultaneously treated like objects and something that needs protection - Ability of a totalitarian regime to crush tough spirits- Offred's mother and Moira

Endorsement: We believe the book is a good read because it makes one think about the true role of religious activity in government and law. It also seems to surprise the reader about what time period the story takes place, while in truth it is in the near future, the story being told sometimes implies a setting in the far past.