The Handmaid's Tale, Part 1: Crash Course Literature 403

John Green discusses Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, a dystopian novel inspired by real-world events and Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. The story is set in the Republic of Gilead, a theocratic society where women are oppressed. The protagonist, Offred, navigates this world, maintaining her humanity and resisting in subtle ways. Atwood's work is classified as speculative fiction, exploring themes of power, control, and the human spirit.

What inspired Margaret Atwood to write The Handmaid's Tale?

• A dream she had

• George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four

• A personal experience

• A historical event

What is a unique aspect of The Handmaid's Tale compared to other dystopian novels?

• It is a comedy

• It is set in space

• It features a talking animal

• It is written from a female perspective

Which real-world event did NOT influence The Handmaid's Tale?

• A volcanic eruption

• Falling birth rates in Canada

• Outlawing of abortion in Romania

• US congressional hearings on toxic emissions

What is the primary role of handmaids in the Republic of Gilead?

• To serve as military leaders

• To manage household finances

• To provide healthy babies for commanders

• To educate children

What does Offred's name signify in The Handmaid's Tale?

• Her independence

• Her status as a possession

• Her role as a leader

• Her love for music

How does Offred maintain her humanity in Gilead?

• By writing a book

• By escaping to Canada

• By empathizing with others

• By rebelling openly

What is Offred's subtle act of resistance after the ceremony?

• She writes a letter

• She spreads butter on her skin

• She sings a song

• She plants a tree

What genre does Margaret Atwood classify The Handmaid's Tale as?

• Historical fiction

• Science fiction

• Fantasy

• Speculative fiction

According to Atwood, what is the purpose of speculative literature?

• To provide historical accounts

• To predict the future accurately

• To explore human imagination and its limits

• To entertain with fantastical elements

What does Atwood suggest about the potential for dystopian scenarios?

• They are purely fictional

• They can happen anywhere

• They are only possible in the past

• They are unlikely in modern society