Since the novel can be linked to society, it might be nice to give some background information which covers e.g. politics. After you read this post you'll know much more about feminism in the USA, The Feminine Mystique, The New Idea and any other important aspects of American history which can be linked to the novel. Enjoy!
Whereas most female writers in Atwood’s time create an utopia to express their feministic views, Atwood considers a dystopia in which a few men oppress all women. During the time she writes the novel, President Reagan holds power in the USA. This president, is according to all feminists including Atwood, a backward movement since Reagan opposes the ERA ("Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex"). Not only the president opposes these ideas, other ministers think as well that women should stay home again and blame the women for e.g. the economic crises. Since Atwood is afraid that Reagan makes any changes which are not in favor of the feminists, she creates the Handmaid’s Tale in which she describes what might happen. In fact, some things which happen in the Handmaid’s Tale derive from Reagan’s presidency.
Since they cut many social programs in daycare women were forced to stay at home one more time, or at least the men is forced to work so the women have no choice which indicates that women were suppressed which is the case in The Handmaid’s Tale as well .
In The Handmaid’s Tale Atwood doesn’t only criticize the political power, she also criticizes the important place religion takes in Reagan’s society. In the time the novel was written, religion became very important once again. Since a group of people called the activists of ‘’The New Idea’’ disliked the liberal spirit at that time, they disapproved the ‘’vulgar’’ clothing, hairstyles and the idea that women didn’t stay home to take care of their children. Surprisingly this movement existed of mostly women, who started a movement against the second wave of feminism. Together with the religious fundamentalist they start a pro-family movement which encouraged women to stay at home and take care of the children.
Since they cut many social programs in daycare women were forced to stay at home one more time, or at least the men is forced to work so the women have no choice which indicates that women were suppressed which is the case in The Handmaid’s Tale as well .
In The Handmaid’s Tale Atwood doesn’t only criticize the political power, she also criticizes the important place religion takes in Reagan’s society. In the time the novel was written, religion became very important once again. Since a group of people called the activists of ‘’The New Idea’’ disliked the liberal spirit at that time, they disapproved the ‘’vulgar’’ clothing, hairstyles and the idea that women didn’t stay home to take care of their children. Surprisingly this movement existed of mostly women, who started a movement against the second wave of feminism. Together with the religious fundamentalist they start a pro-family movement which encouraged women to stay at home and take care of the children.
What is the second wave of feminism exactly?
The second wave of feminism in the US took place during the 1960s and the 1990s. It came as a reaction to what happened after the war; the baby boom caused many disillusioned women who wished change. Whereas the first wave of feminism focused mainly on legal gender equality, the second wave covers a wider range of issues such as sexuality, family, the workplace and reproductive rights. A novel which helped to cause the second wave is the Feminine Mystique.
The Feminine Mystique is a nonfiction novel written by Betty Friedan who found out that many of her former classmates were unhappy with their life as housewives. Therefore Friedan put up a research to gain information on this topic. She intended to publish only an article, yet no magazine wished to publish it, which made her decide to write the novel. By writing the novel, Friedan influenced thousands of women and thereby even The Handmaid´s Tale.
As one can conclude, Atwood uses many of the political aspects of her time in her novel and therefore situations which occur in the novel can be linked easily to American history, which makes the novel even more interesting to read now you gained more knowledge about this history.
The Feminine Mystique is a nonfiction novel written by Betty Friedan who found out that many of her former classmates were unhappy with their life as housewives. Therefore Friedan put up a research to gain information on this topic. She intended to publish only an article, yet no magazine wished to publish it, which made her decide to write the novel. By writing the novel, Friedan influenced thousands of women and thereby even The Handmaid´s Tale.
As one can conclude, Atwood uses many of the political aspects of her time in her novel and therefore situations which occur in the novel can be linked easily to American history, which makes the novel even more interesting to read now you gained more knowledge about this history.
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