Reading this book is necessary. [it is on the book banned list in some schools.] With the new laws in America and the reversal of Row vs Wade, this book is essential to convey the message of how vulnerable women are at risk for becoming human incubators. To get male perspectives of this book, please invite your husbands and boyfriends. Please have your questions ready so we can try to answer them. To get us started, here is a list of a few questions I found on google to think about:
1. In the Republic of Gilead, high-class members of society are given names, but those don’t appear to be their real names. Handmaids are forbidden to be called by their real names and instead named after the Commanders who own them. What does this changing of names achieve in Gilead Society?
2. Offred recalls things from her past that are now banned under Gilead rule. The biggest loss of all is her freedom and her family. Forbidden objects from everyday life also take on a powerful new meaning. What do they represent and how do they create distinctions between the characters?
3. This novel is filled with color. Handmaids wear red, Marthas wear green, the Wives wear blue. What is the significance of this and the uniforms more generally?
4. The Handmaid’s view of the world is blinkered by their bonnets, so too our view of Gilead is confined to Offred’s perspective. What do you think is the impact of this?
5. Most women are forbidden to read in Gilead and even the Bible is kept under lock and key. Why do you think this is? What is the significance of the magazines that the Commander allows Offred to read, and what do you make of his motives doing this?
6. The Handmaid’s Tale was first published in 1985, yet in recent years it has returned to the bestseller charts & women around the world have donned Handmaid costumes to attend protests against the rolling back of women’s rights. Why do you think the story of Gilead is still so relevant today?
Websites to peruse:
About the author Margaret Atwood
This Cultural Life from BBC:
About author Gabrielle Blair:
Gabrielle Blair the author who wrote “Ejaculate Responsibly” we read in January:
https://designmom.substack.
com/p/a-dead-woman-being-used- as-an-incubator [scroll down to: The News Has Moved On, But I’m Still Thinking About.]
Mama Doctor Jones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=KBTiUfLvaAE From Google with AI assist: “about Mama Doctor Jones's (Dr. Danielle Jones, OB/GYN) discussions related to Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale. See video above.
Dr. Jones, a board-certified OB/GYN with a significant online presence, uses her platform to discuss various topics related to women's and AFAB health. [AFAB = assigned female at birth.] Given the themes within The Handmaid's Tale – including reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, and women's health within a dystopian context – it's natural that Dr. Jones would comment on and draw parallels to the book and its adaptations.
For instance, in one of her videos, Dr. Jones reacts to a horrifying birth scene from the *Handmaid's Tale*. Additionally, in a video titled "Why Georgia is a Real-Life 'Handmaid's Tale' | Doctor Reacts", she discusses a specific legal case in Georgia. This reaction stems from the forced circumstances of the case, and the limited chances of a positive outcome for the fetus in question, highlighting the devastating implications of stripping away reproductive autonomy, similar to the forced pregnancies depicted in the book.
Dr. Jones's commentary is often fueled by real-world issues that echo the concerns and themes present in The Handmaid's Tale. The novel, and the TV series it inspired, have resonated with audiences, becoming particularly relevant in discussions around reproductive rights and women's autonomy, a point highlighted by various media outlets. The story continues to be seen as a cautionary tale, reflecting anxieties about potential societal shifts that could impact women's rights and access to essential healthcare.”
Hulu:
And lastly, Hulu TV streaming has all 6 Seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale. I highly recommend watching all 6 seasons, with reading the book first. It’s one of those rare instances that a movie depicts the book well and then embellishes the idea. Apparently, Margaret Atwood was a consultant.
Hulu TV Streaming:
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