The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel written by Margaret Atwood and published in 1985 It tells the story of one woman, Offred, who navigates through a near-future, totalitarian society where women are treated as property. This society is set in the Republic of Gilead, a place where women lack basic rights, like freedom of choice and the ability to hold certain jobs.
Essay Topic Ideas
1. The Role of Religion in the Republic of Gilead: In The Handmaid’s Tale, religion plays a big role in the foundations of the new society. Explore how religion is used to control the people and examine how its symbolism is present throughout the story.
2. The Treatment of Women in The Handmaid’s Tale: Explore how the Republic of Gilead treats women, how it differs from our current society, and the implications of such treatment.
3. The Changing Role of Women: Examine how Offred’s role changes throughout the story, and how she handles the obstacles she faces.
4. Censorship in The Handmaid’s Tale: Explore how censorship affects the different characters and their decisions and how it impacts the society as a whole.
5. Thematic Analysis of The Handmaid’s Tale: Analyze how the themes of power, oppression, and freedom are used throughout the story and how they shape the actions of the characters.