As one example of the multifaceted characters in the novel, Serena’s storyline complements the prominent themes to create a provocative reading experience. However, throughout the novel it becomes clear Serena is not happy about her forced subservience to the Commander and the restrictions on her life, leaving her confused and ashamed.Ītwood excels in developing Serena’s character arc Serena starts out as the malicious vixen but slowly morphs into the pitiable victim of a monster she helped make. Most notably, the Commander’s wife Serena acts as a testament to the complexities of the human will with her experiences in the book.īefore the time of Gilead, Serena was an evangelical media figure who actively advocated for the changes brought about by the theocracy.

These themes of religious extremism are furthered by the intricate characterization of key players in the story. Atwood thoroughly succeeds in conveying this intended message about the dangers of political religious extremism without leaning on tired cliches about the marriage of church and state. Atwood specifically notes “The Handmaid’s Tale” is not intended to be anti-religious, but rather a caution against governments using religion for control.

The most prominent and well-executed of Atwood’s themes surrounds the weaponization of religion, which is the primary justification for all the violence and subjugation in the novel. MASON LEATH FOR THE HOYA | Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” As a handmaid, Offred’s sole purpose is to conceive a child with the Commander while navigating the turbulent waters of Gilead’s strict social order.Ītwood’s attention to detail and emphasis on nuanced cultural features allow the fictitious world of Gilead to come to life, such as the popular affirmation “Praise be!” The slow burn of the exposition and rising action keep the plot engaging, and this combination of intrigue and setting allow Atwood to masterfully craft a tale rife with complex characters, conflicts and a treasure trove of deep thematic narratives. Within this dystopian regime called the Republic of Gilead, Offred is one of the few remaining fertile women and is thus forced to act as a surrogate mother for one of the high-ranking men known as the Commander. The brutal yet fascinating culture of the dystopia is examined through the perspective of protagonist Offred as she faces the trials of her own oppression, including the loss of her own bodily autonomy. “The Handmaid’s Tale” tells the story of a dystopian America in which women are violently subjugated under a totalitarian theocracy. Before it was an award-winning Hulu original series, Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” stood as a paragon of writing and craftsmanship in the 1980s, telling a timeless tale of oppression, rebellion and human nature.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood