‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Week Two: Chapters 6-10 AO2: How meanings are shaped by methods. A05: Interpretations and critical approaches

Chapter Six: The church and the Wall ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Chapter Six: The church and the Wall

Chapter Six The Handmaid’s pass a former Puritan church that is now preserved as a museum. Facing the church is the Wall where the corpses of traitors to the regime are exhibited. Gilead’s double image of Christianity and institutionalised oppression is confirmed within this chapter.

‘Doubles’ Throughout the novel, Atwood uses the thematic motif of ‘doubles’. In this way, Offred and Ofglen are doubles walking down the road and being watched by the tourists. Homework: As you read up to Chapter Ten this week, what other examples of the ‘doubles’ motif can you find?

Chapter Seven: ‘Night’ Second of the ‘Night’ chapters which signal Offred’s retreat into her private thoughts, memories and desires. How does Atwood reveal Offred’s motives and purpose within this chapter? 20 minutes analysis and independent writing. Remember, embed your quotes and look for a range of possible interpretations. Short marking to develop your thinking. Fictive autobiography Complete for homework please. A01/5: How does she develop/reveal character? A02: Methods to shape meanings

Chapter 8- Waiting Room What ‘New Right’ values are discussed and explored within this chapter? Offred and Ofglen: How does their relationship develop within this chapter? Pick FOUR key quotes that indicate their change in relationship and complete an analysis spiral for each one with at least three points of analysis or interpretation for each one.

Chapter 9 Offred remembers Luke and imagines the life of her predecessor (previous (Handmaid) Pick THREE key quotes about her predecessor and analyse their meaning an dpossible alternative interpreatations- complete a bubble map for each quote with your anaysis around it.

Chapter 10 The startling contrast between Offred’s past and rpesent are powerfully evoked in this chapter. Read and take notes on the following, collecting quotes where needed: What were women’s lives like before the fall of America?

Chapter 10 What is the symbolism explored in the cushion in her room?

Homework Read Chapters 11-12 Write a detailed summary of each chapter and create a character profile for each main character so far. Next week, you will complete your suitability test.