The Handmaid’s Tale as a Dystopian Novel

By: Jessica Barroso

What is a dystopian

novel?

A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal

control and the illusion of a perfect society

are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or

totalitarian control.

Characteristic

s

• Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.

• Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.

• A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.

• Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.

• Citizens have a fear of the outside world. • Citizens live in a dehumanized state. • The natural world is banished and

distrusted. • Citizens conform to uniform expectations.

Individuality and dissent are bad. • The society is an illusion of a perfect

utopian world.

Characteristics Continued

Propaganda

• Serena Joys speech about good home makers.

• Public hangings• Watching videos of

pornography; protecting women.

Dehumanized

• Marriage• Freedom • Forced to

believe in the methods of Gilead

• Stripping of the names:– Offred– Ofglen

Dehumanized

cont.

• Unwomen: lesbians, the sterile, nuns, feminist, women who are incapable of the social integration.

• Unbabies: “shredders” babies born with any sort of physical or mental birth defect.

No Individuality

• Lack of freedom and ability to choose.

• Uniformed behavior and method of dressing, it reveals status while masking individuality. • Marthas: green• Aunts: brown• Handmaids: red• Wives: blue• Econowives: stripped of

all the colors

Totalitarianism

• Of, relating to, being, or imposing a form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the individual is subordinated to the state, and opposing political and cultural expression is suppressed.

A totalitarian regime crushes all autonomous institutions in its drive to seize the human soul“-Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.

Surveillance

• The eyes: hidden and unknown by society, secretly monitoring citizens and women of Gilead, ensuring they all abide by the laws.• Guardians

Quiz

•What is the meaning of the red uniform for the handmaids?•What is the purpose of Aunts?•What is a dystopian society?•What is the purpose of they eyes?

Works Cited

• Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1986. Print• “Dystopia." The Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Images used, In Order of Appearance• Dystopia. N.d. Photograph. Onlyhdwallpapers.com. Web.• Haindmaids. N.d. Photograph. Www.foliosociety.com. Web. 16 Nov. 2013.• Handmaids Tale. N.d. Photograph. Hierarchical-aestheticism.tumblr.com. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.• No Drinking. N.d. Photograph. Www.mommyish.com. Web.• N.d. Photograph. Frazerletman.blogspot.com. Web. 16 Nov. 2013.• "Totalitarian." The Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.• Women of Gilead. N.d. Photograph. Ucarochester-cgartsandanimation.blogspot.com. Web. 16

Nov. 2013.