Key Facts: The Handmaid's Tale
Publication Details
- Full Title: The Handmaid's Tale
- Author: Margaret Atwood
- Published: 1985
- Genre: Dystopian fiction, Speculative fiction, Feminist literature
- Setting: Near-future New England, in the theocratic Republic of Gilead
The novel was written during the rise of the Christian right in American politics during the 1980s, which heavily influenced its themes and content.
Narrative Structure
- First-person narration by Offred
- Non-linear storytelling with frequent flashbacks
- Mix of present-tense and past-tense narration
- Includes "Historical Notes" epilogue set 200 years after main events
Pay attention to the shifts in time periods throughout the novel - they provide crucial context for understanding Offred's character development and the establishment of Gilead.
Major Themes
- Female bodily autonomy and reproductive rights
- Power and its various manifestations
- Language as a tool of control
- Memory and storytelling
- Survival and resistance
Key Characters
- Offred: The protagonist and narrator
- The Commander: Fred Waterford, Offred's assigned master
- Serena Joy: The Commander's wife
- Moira: Offred's best friend from before Gilead
- Luke: Offred's husband from before Gilead
- Nick: The Commander's chauffeur
Understanding the power dynamics between these characters is crucial for analyzing the novel's themes.
Historical Context
- Written during the conservative backlash against feminism in the 1980s
