The Handmaid’s Tale serves as a powerful political fable, cautioning women of the potential dangers posed by religious fundamentalism. Dedicated to Perry Miller and Mary Webster, Margaret Atwood’s novel draws inspiration from the Puritans' vision and the emergence of the Religious Right in the 1980s, envisioning a world where women’s autonomy is stripped away. Atwood employs science fiction to explore the ramifications of a society where women either conform to strict societal roles or risk being labeled as threats.

The Handmaid's Role and Identity

Within the Republic of Gilead, Handmaids are modeled after the biblical story of Rachel and Jacob. Their sole purpose is to serve as vessels for procreation, effectively reducing them to mere tools for the Commanders and their sterile wives. Stripped of individual identity, Handmaids are given patronymic names that reflect their subjugation, such as Ofglen, Ofwarren, and the protagonist, Offred.

Uniform and Confinement

Clad in long red gowns with their faces obscured by veils and wimples, Handmaids resemble members of a religious order, living a life of cloistered seclusion. Confined to a bedroom, they are denied reading or writing materials, or anything that could enable self-harm, further erasing their personal identities. Their existence is limited to reflecting and preparing for their sole purpose: reproduction to secure the future of Gilead.

Women Under Oppression

The Republic of Gilead’s religious guise masks its true intention—not the protection of women, but their oppression. Atwood warns women supporters of the Religious Right through the character of Serena Joy, who, once independent and socially influential as a televangelist, is reduced to a mere extension of her husband’s identity. As the Commander's wife, Serena Joy is bound to the house, painfully aware of her redundant status as she witnesses the Handmaid perform the role she cannot.

Men and the Phallocentric Society

Atwood also critiques the patriarchal society of Gilead, where men, too, face role restrictions. The reduced spectrum of human sexuality confines men to a joyless procreation duty, diminishing genuine relationships. The Commander and Serena Joy's marriage becomes a legal formality rather than a bond, with the Commander finding the only semblance of interest in his unequal, unfulfilling relationship with Offred. This relationship ultimately fails when Offred is reminded of her subjugation at an underground brothel.

Resistance and Empowerment

Amidst the oppression, Moira, Offred’s college friend, embodies resistance and empowerment. Even after the revolution, Moira remains unyielding, using her sexuality to subvert her captors, retaining her identity against all odds. Her defiance acts as a catalyst for Offred’s own decision to attempt escape, inspiring hope amidst despair.

Offred's Journey

The novel chronicles Offred’s transformation from a passive victim to an active hero. Through her recorded tale, she reminds readers that vigilance and action are imperative to prevent such futures. Her declaration, “I intend to last,” encapsulates her resolve and journey towards agency and self-preservation.