2. The Handmaid’s Tale Margaret Atwood 1985

3. Please review or research the following to assist with your reading of the novel. theocracy the revolution in Iran 1979 military dictatorship Sons of Jacob nativism sumptuary laws the story of Rachel and Leah in Genesis, The Bible Children of Ham “And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. “ and “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need” The preamble to The Constitution and its Amendments

4. The Setting Pre- Gileadean Society- in flashbacks The Republic of Gilead- “hill of testimony”

5. Social Groups Sex Occupation Caste

6. Male Categories Commanders- black Eyes Angels Guardians- Green Homosexual men = gender traitors

7. Female Categories Wives- Blue Daughters- White until married Handmaids- Red Aunts- Brown Marthas- Green Econowives- Red, Blue, and Green Unwomen Jezebels

8. Babies Unbabies (Shredders) Keepers

9. Social Commentary - Critiques Radical feminism Fundamentalism Gender roles Totalitarianism

10. Key Ideas Sex for reproduction ONLY Distorted Biblical references “Context is all.” “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum” “Protection of Women” Methods of control

11. Possible Themes Even in “powerless” societies, people find inventive and subtle ways to exert power over themselves and others. The needs of the majority often take precedence over the needs of the individual. Language can be powerful, dangerous, illicit, redemptive/ restorative.

12. Literary devices Parody Figurative language Juxtaposition Farce Ambiguity Paradox Allusion Pun Irony (all three)

13. Symbols Colors- esp. red The flower The eye Omission of narrator’s name

14. The Writing Style and Structure Speculative/ dystopian fiction Organization of chapters Flashback First –person major Epilogue Dichotomy of settings and characters

15. Tentative Schedule 1) Chapters 2-24-= 11/10/15 - your own textual notes derived from PowerPoint suggestions. 2) Chapters 25- end= 11/ 17/15 (including the metafictional Historical Notes at the end of the book)- - your own textual notes derived from PowerPoint 3) TBA= Timed Write - focus on novel as representative of dystopian genre.