The Handmaid’s Tale, written by Margaret Atwood in 1985, is a riveting and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the themes of female oppression, fertility, and power structures. In recent years, it has gained increased popularity and recognition due to its adaptation as a TV series. Teaching this novel in a classroom setting requires preparation and careful consideration of its themes and sensitive subject matter. This article outlines an approach for educators to effectively teach students about the book.
Setting the Context
1. Historical Background: Provide students with some background information on the rise of dystopian novels and their importance in expressing societal anxieties. Delve into the historical context of The Handmaid’s Tale by discussing the events of the 1970s and 1980s, including feminism, conservatism, and religious fundamentalism.
2. Author Biography: Give students a brief biography of Margaret Atwood to help them better understand her motivations behind writing the book. Discuss her career trajectory, her other works (both fiction and non-fiction), and her views on the novel being categorized as feminist literature.
Exploring Themes
1. Power Dynamics: Analyze how power structures are depicted in Gilead, including gender roles, class distinctions, and political control. Encourage students to discuss examples from the book of how individuals who hold power use it to manipulate or repress others.
2. Women’s Rights & Oppression: Within The Handmaid’s Tale, women are stripped of their autonomy and freedom. Discuss the nature of this oppression in the book and compare it with historical examples or contemporary issues faced by women around the world.
3. Language & Control: Investigate how language is used to maintain control within Gilead. Discuss examples from the text where speech is restricted or manipulated to enforce social norms.
4. Rebellion & Resistance: Explore the various acts of defiance and resistance in The Handmaid’s Tale, from Offred’s private thoughts to the covert interactions of the resistance group, Mayday.
Teaching Strategies
1. Group Discussions: Divide students into small groups and assign specific chapters, themes, or characters for them to discuss. Prompting students with open-ended questions will encourage them to engage critically with the material and share their insights.
2. Multimedia Approach: Use video clips from interviews with Margaret Atwood or scenes from the TV series adaptation to enhance understanding and stimulate discussion about the novel.
3. Creative Projects: Assign creative projects such as rewriting a scene from a different character’s perspective, creating artwork inspired by themes/issues, or composing an essay on a contemporary issue related to themes found in The Handmaid’s Tale.
4. Debates & Role-Playing: Organize debates on controversial topics within the novel or have students role-play scenarios exploring power dynamics and resistance.
Conclusion
Teaching The Handmaid’s Tale requires sensitivity and engagement from both educators and students. By providing context, exploring pertinent themes, and using innovative teaching strategies, students can gain a deeper appreciation of this seminal work while making connections to their own lives and contemporary societal issues.
