How Does Atwood Use Satire In The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid’s Tale is an effective satire in which Atwood underlines specific themes and issues present in society. Throughout the extensive reading and analyzing of the Handmaid’s Tale, the satirizing of many elements in our society becomes increasingly obvious throughout the progression of the novel. Margaret Atwood uses her literature to express her opinions towards the way society is run through the use of satire. Although most satirical works are meant to be humorous, we can clearly see that Atwood’s writing is meant to question the very principles of our society past, present and future. It is fairly evident that Atwood’s literature is used to convey her thoughts on society and the handmaid’s tale is a clear warning of what Atwood thinks is to come. Although Atwood’s scathing satire …show more content…
Women are viewed as nothing more than voiceless, childbearing objects. The use of satire is evident when describing the use of women in the gilead regime, a prediction that the author makes when assuming that a futuristic society such as the one she has created would be of patriarchal control. Certain parallels can be seen between the way women are treated in society today and in the past as to their portrayal in the gilead regime. For example, Atwood is clearly questioning the way women’s bodies are portrayed in our society. Rape culture has always been a very big problem in our society, the blaming of women for being raped by men. Women who have been raped are often blamed for wearing provocative clothing which in a sense encouraged the act of rape. Examples of this can be found in the Handmaid’s Tale when in the red center, the handmaids are being taught and conditioned into believing that women are asking for it. “But whose fault was it?' .. ‘Her fault... we chant in unison” says Offred recounting events at the red