The Handmaid's Tale Themes
The main themes in The Handmaid’s Tale are the commodification of womanhood, power and hypocrisy, survival and rebellion, and storytelling and memory.
- The commodification of womanhood: In Gilead, the bodies of Handmaids are treated as property of the Republic.
- Power and hypocrisy: Powerful citizens like the Commander privately deviate from the rules they publicly uphold.
- Survival and rebellion: Though Offred does commit acts of rebellion, her primary goal is to survive. The ambiguous ending leaves it unclear whether her rebellion has furthered or hindered this goal.
- Storytelling and memory: In her narration, Offred calls into question the accuracy of her own memories and story.
Themes: All Themes
Themes: The Commodification of Womanhood
In Gilead, men and women adhere to traditional gender roles: men are the providers, working and participating in politics, whereas women stay home and oversee the household.
The Handmaid’s Taledissects these gender roles to examine the specific ways patriarchal societies commodify women’s bodies and labor. Rather than having individual women assuming all of the traditionally feminine roles, Gileadan women are divided into classes based on...
(Read more)Themes: Power and Hypocrisy
Despite those in power in Gilead setting strict rules for how to uphold religious beliefs and morals, they themselves intentionally deviate. While the lower classes are expected to follow the rules and are punished severely if they don’t, the upper classes conspicuously break the rules largely without consequences. This reveals that the regime isn’t actually about religion or morality, but about power and maintaining control.
Similarly,...
(Read more)Themes: Survival versus Rebellion
Rebellion is a difficult thing to pin down for the people of Gilead. Suspicions run high and are encouraged by those in power; this, along with fear, keeps people from rebelling. This is best illustrated in Offred’s paranoia. She’s afraid a few simple words or a look to the wrong person could give her away as someone who doesn’t support the current regime. Gradually, however, Offred’s rebellion grows. It starts internally and with small acts,...
(Read more)Themes: Storytelling and Memory
Offred’s memories are interwoven with her present narrative, contrasting her happier past with her stark present and serving as both her refuge and torment.
Offred’s memories interfere with her new life when she begins having an affair with Nick. It’s the closest thing to love she has experienced since her marriage, and it brings up painful memories of Luke—who she starts having difficulty remembering. This troubles her, and as she loses the...
(Read more)Themes: Gender Roles
In The Handmaid's Tale, gender roles are rigidly defined and enforced within the dystopian society of Gilead. Women's worth is primarily determined by their fertility, reducing them to mere vessels for reproduction. Men, while not entirely free from the oppressive system, retain significant control and autonomy, highlighting the stark gender inequalities present in Gilead.
In Gilead, women are categorized based on their reproductive capabilities....
(Read more)Themes: Control
In The Handmaid's Tale, control is a central theme, manifesting through various societal structures and practices in the dystopian world of Gilead. The regime exerts power over individuals, particularly women, by restricting their freedoms and enforcing rigid roles. This control is maintained through prohibitions on reading and writing, manipulation of reproductive rights, and the use of clothing to enforce societal norms.
Reading and writing are...
(Read more)Themes: Oppression
Oppression is a central theme in The Handmaid's Tale, where the totalitarian regime of Gilead subjugates women, stripping them of rights and autonomy. The novel explores how societal structures enforce this oppression, using fear and manipulation to maintain control. Through the experiences of Offred and other characters, the story reveals the pervasive nature of oppression and the struggle for personal freedom within a repressive system.
Daylight...
(Read more)Themes: Identity
In The Handmaid's Tale, the theme of identity is central to the narrative, exploring how a totalitarian regime can strip away personal identity and autonomy. The novel depicts a dystopian society where women are reduced to their reproductive functions, losing their names and individuality. Through Offred's journey, Margaret Atwood illustrates the fragility of identity under oppressive systems and the struggle to reclaim it.
Offred's transformation...
(Read more)Themes: Religion
In The Handmaid's Tale, religion is a central theme that underpins the dystopian society of Gilead. The theocratic regime uses religion as a tool for control, manipulating biblical texts to justify its oppressive rules and societal structures. This misuse of religion highlights the dangers of intertwining state power with religious doctrine, leading to the subjugation of individuals, particularly women, under the guise of divine will.
The Wall is a...
(Read more)Themes: Freedom
In The Handmaid's Tale, the theme of freedom is central to the narrative, exploring the tension between "freedom to" and "freedom from." The society of Gilead, where the story unfolds, is a dystopian regime that prioritizes "freedom from" over "freedom to," stripping individuals, particularly women, of their personal liberties under the guise of protection and order. This trade-off highlights the fragility of freedom and the ease with which it can...
(Read more)Expert Q&A
Where does the theme of isolation appear in The Handmaid's Tale?
The theme of isolation in The Handmaid's Tale is prominently featured as a tool of social control and oppression, particularly against women. Offred's isolation is vividly depicted through her separation from her family, restricted interactions with others, and the sparse, secure setup of her living space that prevents any form of escape. The government enhances this isolation using the "Eyes" to instill paranoia, making it difficult for Offred to trust others and form meaningful connections, further emphasizing her solitary existence.
Themes in 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale
Both 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale explore themes of totalitarianism and control. In 1984, the government exerts control through surveillance, propaganda, and the suppression of individuality. The Handmaid's Tale examines a theocratic regime that controls women’s bodies and enforces strict societal roles. Both novels highlight the dangers of oppressive governments and the loss of personal freedoms.
The use of motifs, symbolism, and the title in The Handmaid's Tale to convey its main themes
Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale uses motifs, symbolism, and its title to convey themes of oppression, control, and resistance. The recurring motifs of color and biblical references highlight societal control. Symbolism, such as the Handmaids' red garments, represents fertility and oppression. The title itself underscores the objectification and subjugation of women, framing the narrative as both a cautionary tale and a critique of patriarchal structures.
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