Margaret Atwood’s novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is a dystopian fiction with existential themes of religion, politics, self-expression, identity, freedom and moral autonomy.
In the novel, the United States faces rising fertility issues and low birth rates. A conspiratorial think-tank, The Sons of Jacob, began advocating for Christian nationalism in an attempt to preserve the family unit. Ultimately, this group grew into a totalitarian regime known as Gilead, which overthrew the American government through a well-planned military coup.
Their takeover of America started out subtle; single and working mothers were heavily criticized in political discourse and women’s rights were slowly stripped away, including their right to read, work or own a bank account. Gilead’s vision expanded, Congress was gutted and The Sons of Jacob gained complete power over the country.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” provides context into how theocratic and totalitarian regimes influence individuality, acting as a cautionary tale to societies that take for granted the comforts of freedom. In the wrong hands, political and religious structures can be weaponized. This enforces a singular set of morals onto a society and punishes those who disagree. In such cases, individuals live in fear of expressing their own values. Instead, they begin to self-censor and their personal autonomy is stripped.
“One of my rules was that I would not put any events into the book that had not already happened in what James Joyce called the “nightmare” of history… No imaginary gizmos, no imaginary laws, no imaginary atrocities,” Atwood said in her introduction.
Atwood was determined to write her fiction while pulling from real history.
The Novel urges individuals to submerge themselves in life, experience doubt and develop their own beliefs despite restricting labels of political or religious affiliations. It suggests that meaning and purpose are deeply personal and should not be imposed.
The writing is compelling and the characters are convincing. Atwood really encapsulates the horrors those who live under strict theocracies may experience. As a fan of dystopian fiction, this novel is high on my list of recommendations.
