The Handmaids Tale Symbolism Analysis

The book The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood is a literary masterpiece containing a multitude of symbols concealed throughout the text, from the flowers to the clothes worn by the characters. These symbols are used to represent the purpose of the characters in Gilead, the setting of the book. The flower is a symbol for the sole reproductive role of the handmaids and the colors are used to symbolize how the characters are meant to behave; red meaning fertile, white for purity, green for service, and blue for sadness.
Everything about the characters in The Handmaid’s Tale, from their names to their clothes, is used to symbolize their roles in the book. The handmaids’ apparel is no exception. The handmaids all wear the same clothes: a red, ankle length skirt, red gloves and a white bonnet. The red of the handmaids’ clothes is described by Offred as “the …show more content…
Flowers are the part of the plant that are pollinated and grow fruit or seeds. The flowers are used in the book to symbolize fertility as well as the handmaids. The handmaids are told to be the seed and often say “blessed is the fruit” as a greeting. These are both terms that relate to the flower, and like seeds and fruit, the handmaids get no choice in whose offspring they will carry (Rubenstein 20). The handmaids are only there to reproduce. If they are unable to, they are sent off to clean up hazardous waste; while if they do reproduce they will be given almost anything they want. This life cycle is nearly identical to that of the flower. If the flower is unable to reproduce, then the plant will let it die. If the flower is pollinated, it receives all the nutrients necessary to grow fruit. Additionally, once the handmaids, or the flower, produce offspring, they are plucked away from each other. It is as if the flower is not wanted after it has produced the fruit. The flowers in The Handmaids Tale are clear references to the handmaids