Essay question on the Handmaid's Tale

Any ideas to write for this essay question:

Is Atwood's novel ultimately a femenist work of literature or does it offer a critique of femenism? :confused:

Fanx

noone?

Ack, that's difficult!! It's really confusingly worded too :/

Reply 3

Peach

kay123

Any ideas to write for this essay question:

Is Atwood's novel ultimately a femenist work of literature or does it offer a critique of femenism? :confused:

Fanx

Feminist - women treated as objects/property as opposed to human beings. Their one and only purpose in life is to have children etc.
Atwood isolates certain social trends and exaggerates them to make clear their most negative aspects - subordination of women.

Critique of feminism - Offred's vision of feminism is highly domestic, e.g. baking bread. Offred wants to read the magazines the commander offers her, but many would argue that feminism is not concerned with frivolous issues, such as fashion. Near the end of the book the commander takes Offred to the *****house, dressed as a prostitute. Offred is not keen at first, but the idea grows on her (as she thinks of weating make-up again and dressing in revealing clothes). Feminists would not agree with the idea that dressing up equals freedom.

Just a few quick notes, I've never studied the book but have read it many times.

Hope this helps a bit :smile:

Reply 4

Kalypso

Well-meaning feminists play into the hands of arch conservative rivals, maybe? Perhaps a warning about the dangers of taking something to the extreme.