Gender

• A01: women are labelled

  defined by their functions in relation to the men in their lives: exception is unwomen unable to serve practical function regulated colonies
• men suffering too... homosexual chap 8

  'the two others have purple placecards hung around their neck: Gender treachery. Their bodies still wear the guardian uniform. caught together, they must have been, but where? A barracks,a shower? its hard to say' - tension/immediacy decleratives + rhetorical + alliteration Purple placecards" evoke a visual image, suggesting some form of categorization
• 1960s-1980s second wave feminsm
• Nick symbolises an equal

  chap 17 alliteration 'for the moment were mirrors'
• wives wear blue

  serenity + imagery of the virgin Mary... motherhood
• Marthars wear green


  Jesus friend who is practical and domestic... green symbolises health. represent housekeeping
• Gender is an important theme in The Handmaid's Tale
• Atwood's intention was to draw attention to the inequalities faced by women because of their gender, as well as to (albeit to a lesser extent) the oppression of other marginalised groups
• At the time The Handmaid's Tale was written, women were gaining more civil rights, but this progress was met with opposition from religious conservative groups
• Gender

  The social and cultural differences between men and women
• Western society is typically male-dominant, or patriarchal
• Gender is a social construct

  People are born a certain sex, but their gender is shaped by the society around them
• Feminine traits/activities are typically viewed as inferior to masculine traits/activities
• Timeline of Gender Theory in the United States

  • First Wave Feminism (1848-1920)
  • Second Wave Feminism (1960s-1980s)
  • Third Wave Feminism (1990s-2010s)
  • Fourth Wave Feminism (2012-present)
• The Handmaid's Tale was originally written in the 1980s - during Second Wave feminism
• Liberal feminism


  Focuses on achieving gender equality and women's rights through political and legal reform, within the framework of a society
• Radical feminism

  Calls for a radical change to society where male supremacy is eliminated, and focuses more specifically on race, class, and sexuality and how these impact a person's identity
• Margaret Atwood likely views herself as more of a liberal feminist, while characters such as Moira and Offred's mother are more representative of radical feminism
• 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
• In Gilead, there are roles for men and women that are shaped around Biblical ideas of gender
• Women's roles in Gilead

  • Wives (keep order in the house)
  • Handmaids (procreate)
  • Marthas (cook and clean)
• The Other

  Someone who doesn't fit into social norms and symbolises people who are not accepted by society
• The Commander

  • Symbolises masculine ideals, is white, straight, Christian, able-bodied, and male, and is powerful
  • Has an unequal relationship with Offred, as he is directly responsible for her oppression
  • Maintains his power through sexism
• Luke

  • Offred's husband, who is meant to contrast with the Commander and show that even modern men can be oppressive towards women
  • Initially seems more progressive, but later convinces Offred to prioritise domestic duties over protesting
• Even the most progressive men can still hold and perpetuate patriarchal ideas when it benefits them
• Luke convinces Offred not to participate in the protests

  Instead of supporting her, he tells her to prioritise her family, which echoes the misogynistic idea that women shouldn't protest, vote, or work because it would take them away from their domestic duties
• Luke has power in their relationship

  He wants Offred to choose more traditionally feminine duties like doing "more housework, more baking"
• Offred: '"That night, after I'd lost my job, Luke wanted to make love [...] He doesn't mind this, I thought. He doesn't mind it at all. Maybe he even likes it. We are not each other's, anymore. Instead, I am his"'
• Offred recognises that Luke might like the new system of government because it gives him power
• The idea of women being possessed by men (i.e. "I am his") shows how women are starting to lose their autonomy and sense of identity
• The Commander doesn't seem as hostile towards Offred as Luke sometimes was

  Offred feels like the Commander is more benevolent than Luke
• Luke would sometimes resent Offred when she showed that she was smarter than he was
• The Commander's condescending praise is also sexist
• Both Luke and the Commander's relationships with Offred are unequal
• Offred was able to choose Luke as a partner and speak out if she disagrees, but she cannot choose her relationship with the Commander nor is she able to speak out
• Nick

  Out of all the men in the book, Nick and Offred's relationship is the most equal
• Nick has more status because of his gender, but he also serves The Commander
• Nick's low status means that he is not meant to symbolise an ideal, like The Commander, nor is he meant to be a husband like Luke
• Nick is meant to symbolise an equal
• Offred: '"he too is illegal, here, with me, he can't give me away. Nor I him; for the moment we're mirrors. He puts his hand on my arms, pulls me against him, his mouth on mine"'