Voorheesville Public Library

QUESTIONS

As you read the book, outline the methods the government of Gilead uses to control its citizens. What techniques do the people in power use to dehumanize the others?
How are women successfully brainwashed? Why are some more easily manipulated than others?
The women of Gilead have had all control over their lives taken from them. What have the men lost?
Power is one of the themes of the novel. Who is powerful? How do underlings, such as the handmaid, exercise control over the more powerful members of society?
What details does Atwood use to achieve a realistic depiction of the society of Gilead?
Why does Atwood choose to tell the tale through flashbacks, instead of chronologically? Why is this effective?
What is the Commander like?
How does Offred’s attitude toward the Commander change?
How is sex used in the society of Gilead?
What examples of hypocrisy are there in the novel?
Are there any good things about life in Gilead?
What is the role of religion in Gilead? What is the state religion like? Why is the Bible kept locked up?
Moira refuses to be categorized. What does her character represent?
How does Offred maintain her sanity and her humanity?
How does the author use color and wordplay in the novel? Look for examples.
In an interview, Atwood stated “there is nothing new about the society depicted in The Handmaid’s Tale except the time and place…. [T]here isn’t anything in the book not based on something that has already happened in history or in another country…” What societies did she use as models for Gilead?

Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fishers@uhls.lib.ny.us)

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	The Handmaid's Tale
	QUESTIONS As you read the book, outline the methods the government of Gilead uses to control its citizens. What techniques do the people in power use to dehumanize the others? How are women successfully brainwashed? Why are some more easily manipulated than others? The women of Gilead have had all control over their lives taken from them. What have the men lost? Power is one of the themes of the novel. Who is powerful? How do underlings, such as the handmaid, exercise control over the more powerful members of society? What details does Atwood use to achieve a realistic depiction of the society of Gilead? Why does Atwood choose to tell the tale through flashbacks, instead of chronologically? Why is this effective? What is the Commander like? How does Offred’s attitude toward the Commander change? How is sex used in the society of Gilead? What examples of hypocrisy are there in the novel? Are there any good things about life in Gilead? What is the role of religion in Gilead? What is the state religion like? Why is the Bible kept locked up? Moira refuses to be categorized. What does her character represent? How does Offred maintain her sanity and her humanity? How does the author use color and wordplay in the novel? Look for examples. In an interview, Atwood stated “there is nothing new about the society depicted in The Handmaid’s Tale except the time and place…. [T]here isn’t anything in the book not based on something that has already happened in history or in another country…” What societies did she use as models for Gilead? Questions compiled by Suzanne Fisher (fishers@uhls.lib.ny.us)