Punishment and Human Rights

• Atwood presents Gilead as a place that enforces obedience through harsh and brutal punishment as seen from the wall.
• Torture is used in Gilead, as insinuated by Moira when telling her story after escaping the Red Center.
• The death penalty hasn't been used in Atwood’s home country Canada since 1862, but it is being increasingly used in the USA.
• Public execution is prevalent in countries such as Iran, Sudan, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and China, but it is not public in the USA, where few spectators are allowed.
• In Gilead, the people are shown the repercussions of rebellion through the wall and salvagings.