Quiz 2 Flashcards
(3 cards)
Feminism
Feminist theory is central to The Handmaid’s Tale, as it critiques patriarchy and the oppression of women. Gilead is an extreme patriarchal society where women are stripped of their rights, reduced to their reproductive functions, and categorized based on their roles (Wives, Handmaids, Marthas, etc.). This reflects feminist concerns about how women have historically been controlled, especially in relation to their bodies and reproductive rights. Atwood also explores intersectional feminism by showing how different women experience oppression differently—Serena Joy, for instance, is oppressed in some ways but still wields power over Handmaids. The novel warns against the dangers of anti-feminist backlash, showing how progress for women can be reversed
Marxism
Marxist theory focuses on class struggle and the ways in which economic and social structures maintain power. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Gilead is a rigidly hierarchical society where power is concentrated in the hands of the ruling class (Commanders). The Handmaids, Marthas, and other subjugated groups are exploited for their labor, particularly reproductive labor. This reflects Marxist ideas about capitalism’s exploitation of workers, as the Handmaids’ bodies are treated as property of the state. Additionally, the ruling class uses ideology (religious fundamentalism) to justify and maintain control, much like how Marxists argue that dominant ideologies serve the interests of the elite.
Psychoanalytic
Psychoanalytic criticism, particularly Freudian and Lacanian ideas, examines how individuals’ subconscious desires, traumas, and fears shape their behavior. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred’s internal monologue reveals her psychological struggle to maintain her identity despite Gilead’s attempt to erase it. The regime uses psychological manipulation—such as controlling language, rewriting history, and public executions—to break individuals’ sense of self. Repressed trauma plays a key role, as Offred constantly recalls memories of her past life, suggesting her subconscious resists Gilead’s brainwashing. The novel also explores the fear of castration (loss of power) among men, as Gilead’s strict gender roles are partly a reaction to male anxieties about declining dominance in the pre-Gilead world.
