lllustration of six women wearing long, loose red dresses

The Handmaid's Tale

by Margaret Atwood

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The Handmaid's Tale

The primary conflict in The Handmaid's Tale is between individual freedom and oppressive societal control. Offred struggles against the totalitarian regime of Gilead, which strips women of their...

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The Handmaid's Tale

In The Handmaid's Tale, the red tulips symbolize fertility and the hope of new life in a repressive society. They also represent the blood and violence underlying the regime's control over women. The...

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The Handmaid's Tale

In The Handmaid's Tale, Moira is pivotal as a symbol of rebellion and resistance against Gilead's oppressive regime. Her outspoken and politically aware nature contrasts with Offred's initial...

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The Handmaid's Tale

In "The Handmaid's Tale," the plastered-over part of Offred's ceiling once held a chandelier, removed after a previous handmaid used it to hang herself. This spot symbolizes Offred's entrapment, as...

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The Handmaid's Tale

Moira serves as a symbol of resistance and defiance in contrast to Offred's survival-focused demeanor. In The Handmaid's Tale, Moira embodies the autonomy and freedom that Offred yearns for in their...

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The Handmaid's Tale

Both The Handmaid's Tale and The Catcher in the Rye explore themes of societal control and individual struggle. In The Handmaid's Tale, the regime imposes strict control over women, while in The...

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The Handmaid's Tale

The female character most deserving of sympathy is subjective, often influenced by personal experiences. Offred is sympathetic for losing her previous life and loved ones, yet her passivity may...

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The Handmaid's Tale

In "The Handmaid's Tale," fear of the future and mourning the past are central themes. Offred, the protagonist, fears the oppressive regime of Gilead, where women like her are forced into roles as...

1 educator answer