A Handmaid's Tale Map | Mind Map

Topics

Include

Freedom

More specifically

Lack of Freedom From Restrictive Rules

Examples

Handmaids confined unless for shoppingtrips, Ceremonies etc.

Women wear certain clothing pertainingto class

Handmaids have to wear red dresses andwhite wings

Abortion not allowed

Abortion doctors killed

No divorces and second marraiges

Feminism

More specifically

Mistreatment of Woman

Examples

Women cannot read, write, hold propertyor own a job

Handmaids have vision restricted bywearing white wings

Handmaids cannot escape

Shatterproof windows

Always have partner when outside

Woman's bodies used as politicalinstruments

Identity

Restriction in Identity

Examples

Handmaids do not use real name

Existence of labels

Jezebel

Guardian

Commander

Handmaids do not have mirrors

Offred doesn't know what she looks like

No power over own decisions

Cannot commit suicide

Power

Presence and Manipulation of Power

Seen in totalitarian government of Gilead

Because the government controls all

Implements many rules and acts

Examples

Criminals hanged on The Wall

Eyes of God spy on people

Ceremony every month

Salvaging

Conformity

Everyone must obey the ideals and rebelsare squashed

Example

Moira was once a rebellious woman

Now is broken down and is a Jezebel

Sexuality

Government controls sex and sexuality

Lesbians deemed as criminals

No illicit sexual practice

No pornography and prostitution

Characters

Offred

Main character/ Protagonist

Handmaid

Seemingly submissive but actually rebels insmall acts

Examples

Makes eye contact with Guardian

Has sexual relationship with Nick

Complies going to club with Commander

Longs for freedom and to reunite withfamily

Moira

Offred's Best Friend

Serves as hope for Offred

Rebellious and tenacious

Constantly tries to break out of Center

Never willing to concede freedom

Eventually broken down

Now works at Jezebel

Prostitute

Commander

Head of Household

Holds much power

Can be seen as naive

Because

He wants Offred's life to be bearable

Does not actually love wife

Has secret affaris with handmaids

Gets Offred to dress in naughty outfit andgo to club

Shows passionless femalemalerelationships

Aunt Lydia

Dark mentor

Agent of Republic

Because...

Believes in Republic beliefs and oppressionof woman is freedom from sexual abuse

Manipulative

Example

Made women believe that the beatenGuardian was a rapist

Not good at feeling for other people

Guides women to be &quot;handmaids&quot;

Serena Joy

Commander's Wife

Powerful female in Gilead

However is unhappy

Shows maledominated society cannot bringfemales any happiness even to the mostpowerful women

Nick

Guardian (low level officer)

Has sexual relationship with Offred

Because

They want to conceive baby

Luke

Offred's Lover

Relationship with Offred contrastspassionless femalemale relationships

Plot

Daily life of Offred

Usually involves

Shopping trips with Ofglen

Ceremony every month with Commanderand Serena Joy

Salvaging of woman who produced unbaby

Shows ruthlessness of society

Going to see The Wall

Where bodies of criminals are hanged

Significant Events

Doctor asks Offred if she wants to have thebaby with him instead

Gives Offred a chance to not think toomuch about having a baby

But it against rules of Gilead

Because commander is infertile

Commander starts secretly playingScrabble with Offred

Which is

Against rules because women are notallowed to read and write

Offred starts sexual relationship with Nickto maintain individuality/identity

Because

Small rebellious acts reminds her she canmake own decision

Commander takes Offred to Jezebels

Where Offred meets Moira

Offred leaves household but fate isunknown

Shows the difficulty of actually escapingGilead

Setting

Novel takes place in

Republic of Gilead

Formed from military coup

Is a Christian theocracy

Because there is heavy emphasis on

Bible Readings

Examples

Bible read to Handmaids each day

Has declining birth rates

Due to pollution, chemicals etc.

Government focus on fertility andincreasing reproduction

Dystopian Society

Set in future United States