The Handmaid's Tale
The Handmaid's Tale is a novel by Canadian writer Margaret Atwood. It was published in the fall of 1985 in his native country and since then it has proven to be a resounding success, with millions of copies sold. Lovers of dystopias consider this title a classic of the genre, as it is a fascinating story containing a terrifying mystery.
This narrative work is a worldwide reference; caused a great impact by its theme and the crude way in which it showed discrimination against women. It is because of that It has been adapted on several occasions, both for film, television and theater; there is even a version for opera. Its representation in series format stands out —produced by Hulu and starring Elisabeth Moss—, of which the third season is currently broadcast.
The Handmaid's Tale (1985)
It is a dystopian futuristic and science fiction novel, projected in the year 2195. It is set in the Republic of Gilead, constituted after a coup against the US government. There, there is a strict dictatorship, based on the Old Testament of the Bible. In this work it is reflected a social tirade and strong discrimination against women.
The history is narrated in first person by OffredWho recounts his life today and recalls excerpts from his past before the institution of Gilead. She, like all women, was assigned to fulfill a specific function, in her particular case she belongs to the group of the maids.
General aspects of the work
The regime divides women
As a measure of repression and domination towards women, the new regime decides to segregate them according to the role they should have in that society. To differentiate these functions, each of the six established groups is differentiated by the color of their clothing.
The maids —As Offred— they wear red, its function is to bring to the world the children of the commanders. On the other hand, the wives are women of aristocratic descent and they wear blue outfits in likeness to the Virgin Mary. They, despite enjoying a quiet and comfortable life, They depend on the maids to ensure their offspring.
Those named "Aunts" they look brown clothing, they supervise the maids and are in charge of ensuring that they comply with the regulations, being able to punish them if not. There is also another gray-green group called the "marthas", who, due to their advanced age, cannot procreate; his job is to cook and clean for the families of the commanders.
Finally, they are the "econowives", who use striped apparel and are the poor men's wives. They will have to do everything they can. The rest of the women are considered “non-women”, who, due to their dark past, are tortured and exiled towards the border until they die.
Representation of men
The men, for their part, are those who they take command in the dictatorial government. Those who run the regime were listed as "Commanders", and must wear black clothing. They are also the Angels", who serve gilead.
The Guardians", in turn, are the those in charge of the security of the commanders. And finally, "The eyes of God" Are who they watch to the infidels to maintain the determined order.
Synopsis
In a futuristic age, the assassination of present President of the United States has provoked a coup. A dictatorial government is installed, and the country is named as "Republic of Gilead". During that time, the fertility rate of females declined sharply, due to damage caused by pollution. This caused the rights of women to change radically.
Offred is a young woman live like Major Fred Waterford's maid and his wife Serena Joy, who is sterile. Ella, as dictated by its function, is within the family to bring the world to the firstborn of marriage. After several unsuccessful attempts to conceive, Offred attends a medical consultation. There he learns that the root of the problem lies in Fred.
Due to the situation, the treating doctor makes a difficult proposal to Offred, which he did not accept. In consecuense, Serena herself forces her to have relationships with the family gardener, all in order to obtain that son that I wanted so much. This relationship prospers and makes Offred's life with the commander more difficult. Many things will happen until everything can return to normal.
About the author
Poet and writer Margaret Atwood first saw the light in Ottawa, Canada, on Saturday, November 18, 1939. She is the daughter of zoologist Carl Edmund Atwood and nutritionist Margaret Dorothy William. Most of his childhood was spent between northern Quebec, Ottawa, and Toronto, motivated by his father's work as a forest entomologist.
As a young child, Margaret she was a fan of reading; she herself has confessed on several occasions have read all kinds of literary genres. He was able to enjoy mystery novels, comics, science fiction, as well as books on Canadian history. Ultimately, each and every one of them was very useful to her in her training as a writer.
Studies
His secondary studies were at Leaside High School in Toronto. In 1957, he entered the Victoria University; over there, five years later, obtained a BA in English Philology, with additional studies in French and Philosophy. That same year, he entered Harvard University's Raddiffe College for a postgraduate degree thanks to the Woodrow Wilson Research Fellowship..
Private life
The writer has had two marriages, the first in 1968 with Jim Polk, from whom he divorced 5 years later. Time after, got married with novelist Graeme Gibson. In 1976, as a result of this union, they had a daughter, whom they baptized as: Eleanor Jess Atwood Gibson. From that time to the present the family resides between Toronto and Pelee Island, Ontario.
Literary race
Atwood began writing when he was just 16 years old. It does not have a specific gender that characterizes you; has presented novels, essays, poems and even scripts for television. Likewise, she is considered by many a feminist literary, because some of her most successful works are based on that theme.
Similarly, He has carried out work on various topics related to his country, such as: Canadian identity, its moors and environmental aspects. Likewise, he has written about the relations of said nation with other countries. They can be counted among his works: 18 novels, 20 poetry books, 10 essays and short stories, 7 children's books and a variety of scripts, librettos, eBooks and audiobooks.
Additional works
The novelist, in addition to literature, has devoted herself to other trades, among which her work as a university professor stands out. Atwood has taught at prestigious study houses in Canada and the United States. They can be mentioned: University of British Columbia (1965), University of New York and University of Alberta (1969-1979).
Similarly, the literata is a Canadian political activist. In this facet, has fought for various reasons, such as: human rights, freedom of expression and environmental causes. This arduous task has been carried out both in his country and internationally.
Currently, it belongs to Amnesty International (human rights body) and is a main part of BirdLife International (defense of birds).