Gender

• What is a key theme in The Handmaid’s Tale?

  Gender
• What was Atwood's intention in writing The Handmaid’s Tale?

  To highlight women's inequalities and oppression
• What societal changes were occurring when The Handmaid’s Tale was written?

  Women were gaining more civil rights
• How did religious conservative groups respond to women's civil rights progress?

  They opposed the progress
• What does gender theory discuss?

  Social and cultural differences between men and women
• What is typically the structure of Western society regarding gender?

  Patriarchal
• How is gender viewed according to evolving gender theory?

  As a social construct shaped by society
• If a person is born female, what are they socialized to become?

  Girls embracing a feminine identity
• How are feminine traits typically viewed in patriarchal societies?

  As inferior to masculine traits
• What domestic roles do women occupy in Gilead?

  Wives, Handmaids, and Marthas
• What are the key outcomes of the First Wave Feminism (1848 - 1920)?

  • Women's suffrage
  • More women in higher education
  • Increased political office representation
• What are the key outcomes of the Second Wave Feminism (1960s - 1980s)?

  • Women entering the workforce
  • Expanded reproductive rights
  • Equal Pay Act of 1963
  • Roe v. Wade (1973)
• What was Atwood's intention in writing The Handmaid's Tale?

  To draw attention to the inequalities faced by women because of their gender, as well as the oppression of other marginalized groups
• Why did Atwood fear that a society like Gilead was possible at the time The Handmaid's Tale was written?

  Because women were gaining more civil rights, which was met with opposition from religious conservative groups entering the mainstream sphere
• What is the key philosophy of First Wave Feminism?

  Women's suffrage
• What were the key outcomes of First Wave Feminism?

  Women gained the right to vote, more women in higher education and political offices
• What was the key philosophy of Second Wave Feminism?

  Women entering the workforce, rejection of domesticity
• What was the key philosophy of Third Wave Feminism?

  Abolishing gender stereotypes, reclaiming derogatory terms, sexual liberation, emphasis on race, class, and transgender rights
• What is the key philosophy of Fourth Wave Feminism?

  Intersectionality, rejection of gender norms and binaries, utilisation of social media for activism
• What were the key outcomes of Second Wave Feminism?

  Expanded reproductive rights, increased access to education, more feminist organizations founded, Equal Pay Act of 1963
• What were the key outcomes of Third Wave Feminism?

  Feminist movement began to include women of all races, classes, and cultures, utilising the internet as a place for activism, expanded discussions about violence against women
• What were the key outcomes of Fourth Wave Feminism?

  #MeToo campaign, Time's Up movement, Women's March
• How was The Handmaid's Tale influenced by Second Wave Feminism?

  It was heavily influenced by this era, as it was written towards the end of Second Wave Feminism and reflects the desire of those in charge of Gilead to return to the 1950s era of domesticity and strict gender roles
• What is the difference between liberal feminism and radical feminism?

  Liberal feminism focuses on achieving gender equality and women's rights through political and legal reform, while radical feminism calls for a radical change to society where male supremacy is eliminated and focuses more on race, class, and sexuality
• How do the novel The Handmaid's Tale and the TV series adaptation differ in their response to the political climate?

  The novel was published in response to Ronald Reagan's presidency and the emergence of the religious right, while the TV series was released shortly after Donald Trump was elected president and the religious right has become more mainstream in American politics
• What are the different domestic roles assigned to women in Gilead?

  The Wives keep order in the house, the Handmaids' duty is to procreate, and the Marthas' job is to cook and clean
• How do the different gender roles in Gilead reflect society's idealized versions of masculinity and femininity?

  The fragmented feminine identities symbolize different gender roles and ideals, while the prominent male characters like the Commander represent different manifestations of patriarchy and masculine ideals
• How does the Commander's relationship with Offred reflect his power and the patriarchal nature of Gilead?

  The Commander's relationship with Offred is the most unequal, as he directly oppresses her and perpetuates sexism, despite occasionally appearing benevolent
• How does Luke's relationship with Offred reflect the ways in which even progressive men can perpetuate patriarchal ideas?

  Even though Luke and Offred's relationship was relatively egalitarian before Gilead, after the rise of the regime, Luke convinces Offred to prioritize domestic duties over political activism, showing how he can still hold and perpetuate patriarchal ideas when it benefits him
• What are the key differences between liberal feminism and radical feminism?

  • Liberal feminism focuses on achieving gender equality and women's rights through political and legal reform, within the framework of society.
  • Radical feminism calls for a radical change to society where male supremacy is eliminated, and focuses more on race, class, and sexuality.
• How do the gender roles in Gilead reflect society's idealized versions of masculinity and femininity?

  • The fragmented feminine identities (Wives, Handmaids, Marthas) symbolize different gender roles and ideals.
  • The prominent male characters like the Commander represent different manifestations of patriarchy and masculine ideals.
• How do the relationships between Offred and the male characters (the Commander, Luke) reflect the patriarchal nature of Gilead?

  • The Commander's relationship with Offred is the most unequal, as he directly oppresses her and perpetuates sexism.
  • Luke's relationship with Offred shows how even progressive men can perpetuate patriarchal ideas when it benefits them.
• What is the first derivative of $x^2$?


  $2x$
• How does photosynthesis work in plants?

  Process of photosynthesis:

  1. Light absorption by chlorophyll
  2. Light-dependent reactions: water splits, electrons excited
  3. Electron transport chain: ATP and NADPH produced
  4. Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions):

  • CO2 fixation
  • Reduction of fixed carbon
  • Regeneration of RuBP

  1. Glucose and other carbohydrates synthesized
• What does Luke want Offred to do in their relationship?

  Choose more traditionally feminine duties
• What does Atwood convey by shifting Offred and Luke's relationship to unequal?

  Even progressive men can perpetuate patriarchy
• What realization does Offred have about Luke after losing her job?

  Luke might like the new power dynamics
• How does the phrase "I am his" reflect Offred's situation?

  It shows her loss of autonomy and identity
• How does The Commander treat Offred compared to Luke?

  He treats her as a possession, not a person
• What is ironic about Offred's feelings towards The Commander compared to Luke?

  She feels The Commander is more benevolent