One of the greatest Canadian authors during the second half of the 20th century, Margaret Atwood is famous for her feminist works of literature that entertain and provide an insight into her opinion about the rights of women and its reception. The Handmaid's Tale takes place in a fictional world where women are subjected to a theocratic form of government. The main character is Offred, a Handmaid whose sole purpose in the society is to create children for the Wives and the Commander. This society was based on many real-world issues such as the negative reception of feminism in politics, societies around the world, and her personal connections. Therefore, The Handmaid's Tale shows a clear portrayal of her discontent about the negative reception
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Rape culture was one of these. Atwood introduced what she believes is other people's reaction to hearing rape allegations when Offred mocks Moira about her serious tone to the subject, “Date rape I said. You're so trendy. It sounds like some kind of dessert. Date Rapè"(Atwood 42). This shows how Atwood sees the lack of interest and action taken to solve the issue of rape. In Saudi Arabia, it is illegal to marry a divorced person. Saudi is where Atwood gets a few inspirations shown by the many similarities between the two theocratic societies. In the book, Offred reminisces about seeing Luke before she was married to him in which she says, “ Though at that time men and women tried each other in, casually, like suits rejecting whichever did not fit”( Atwood 56). This shows how Atwood disagrees with this rule as it states how people were free to date or marry who they wanted and also divorce they if needed. Another topic that was criminalized in Saudi is abortion. Abortion is a very controversial topic all around the world. In many religious countries, abortion is frowned upon. When Janine talks about having gotten raped and having an abortion, Aunt Helen says, “ Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen”( Atwood 82) showing the opinions of many peoples on the topic of abortion as Aunt Helen could be talking about her having an abortion which would be wrong in a theocratic society. These acts that were happening during the 1980s show how people were not agreeing with the idea of women's rights even within
Rape culture was one of these. Atwood introduced what she believes is other people's reaction to hearing rape allegations when Offred mocks Moira about her serious tone to the subject, “Date rape I said. You're so trendy. It sounds like some kind of dessert. Date Rapè"(Atwood 42). This shows how Atwood sees the lack of interest and action taken to solve the issue of rape. In Saudi Arabia, it is illegal to marry a divorced person. Saudi is where Atwood gets a few inspirations shown by the many similarities between the two theocratic societies. In the book, Offred reminisces about seeing Luke before she was married to him in which she says, “ Though at that time men and women tried each other in, casually, like suits rejecting whichever did not fit”( Atwood 56). This shows how Atwood disagrees with this rule as it states how people were free to date or marry who they wanted and also divorce they if needed. Another topic that was criminalized in Saudi is abortion. Abortion is a very controversial topic all around the world. In many religious countries, abortion is frowned upon. When Janine talks about having gotten raped and having an abortion, Aunt Helen says, “ Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen”( Atwood 82) showing the opinions of many peoples on the topic of abortion as Aunt Helen could be talking about her having an abortion which would be wrong in a theocratic society. These acts that were happening during the 1980s show how people were not agreeing with the idea of women's rights even within