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The Handmaid's Tale Analysis

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Armbruster, Jane. "Feminism and the Social Control of Gender." Social Justice/Global Options
(1990): 146-52. Print.

Writer, Jane Armbruster, evaluates the idea of how the novel is not a possible outcome of our future. Instead, she explains that “nation of Gilead, described in The Handmaid’s Tale, exists today in America” and she asks her readers to consider her opinion. She goes on to explain that we do not necessarily recognize our country as remotely similar to Gilead because it is currently happening today. She also blames a plethora of distractions brought upon us and how much we are encouraged to use our brains and never follow our hearts. Finally, she points out that we, as women in both the Gilead and our current society, need to use emotional abilities and extensive memories to expand our freedoms and rights.

I plan on using this article because it reflects my opinion on the U.S and how women, today, are currently living in a dystopia society. This article is perfect for …show more content…

Stephanie Hammer discusses how Atwood’s novel is breaking gender stereotypes. Hammer states that the majority of the dystopian genre is dominated by men. She then questions “Is The Handmaid’s Tale a subversion of male writing or is this subversion itself already subverted by the regulations of an established male art form?” Hammer’s purpose is simply trying to question whether Margaret Atwood should be in the dystopian category or was she influenced by the men within it and the power they possess. She then discusses how free women and the handmaid do not have freedom.

I am not sure if I plan on using this article because it does not fit into what I want my paper to discuss. I understand that the article discusses the topic of dystopia but in terms of whether the novel itself is considered a dystopian novel due to the fact that it is written by a woman, but it does not discuss the story.

McCombs, Judith. Critical Essays on Margaret Atwood. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1988.

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