A Reflection on the Powerful Message of The Handmaid’s Tale
Since its original publication in 1985, The Handmaid’s Tale has been making readers think, debate and reflect on its poignant themes and enigmatic messages. The dystopian narrative that has recently been adapted into an Emmy award-winning TV series has made its way into many British households, creating a new generation of The Handmaid’s Tale fans.
The Plot of The Handmaid’s Tale
The novel centres around Offred, a young woman who has been captured and transported to Gilead, a totalitarian regime that is based in what used to be part of the United States. Under the closed, theocratic government of Gilead, women are stripped of all autonomy and rights, and are used as chattel by the men of society. Offred is assigned to be a Handmaid, and is treated as an object for the sole purpose of bearing children for the Commanders of the regime.
Exploring Gender Roles and Injustices
Margaret Atwood, who wrote the book that inspired the series, described The Handmaid’s Tale as a “speculative fiction,” rather than a science fiction novel, as it is based on the reality of oppression and the historical injustices that have been inflicted on women. Her objective was to create a narrative that explores the struggle between the notions of freedom of choice and the imposed limitations of predetermined roles and destinies.
The novel is presented as a warning of what could happen if society continues to marginalize and subjugate women through enforcing oppressive customs and institutions that prevent women from having meaningful contributions to society. Atwood examines the struggles of a woman living and functioning within a world that is warped by such imposed gender roles, exploring the depths of fear and the lengths to which human beings will go to survive.
Furthermore, the author raises the notion that when a society throws ideals such as justice, freedom and security into chaos, the consequences on human behaviour and values can become surprisingly unpredictable. The story of The Handmaid’s Tale is a reminder of human resiliency in the face of adversity and the power of hope in the darkest of times.
The theme of the novel is a stark and timely reminder of gender-discrimination that still exists in our societies and serves as a powerful message about the consequences of not challenging these oppressive norms. The Handmaid’s Tale has also gained recent recognition from its TV adaptation, which was released in 2017 and has grown in popularity in the past few years. The success of the series has increased public awareness for the intricate themes explored in the book and is a testament to the relevance and importance of The Handmaid’s Tale in our current socio-political climate.