Anyone who has studied "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood?

Question

If you have studied The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, could you please help me in answering the following essay question? Question:Explore how Margaret Atwood has effectively potrayed the totalitarian society as a totally insensitive system to the plight of women in the imaginary Gilead.
In other words, the question is asking how does Atwood put across her message that the totalitarian society is a totally insensitive system as it made the women's condition extremely bad. The main problem is that I am not able to find the three most appropriate ways Atwood puts this message across. The following are some of the ways authors try putting their message across:
- First person point of view
- Juxtraposition
- Biblical Illusion
- Similies
- Symbolism
- Stream of Consciousness (when the narrator's thoughts come out in such a way that they dont correspond with the present situation)
- Foreshadowing
- Conflicts
- Descriptions
So, out of all these ways, which ones apply to my Qn

Thanks a lot BoneofaTeacher and moviegirl...I seriously thought I wouldnt get a single answer although my question expired. I was really pleased to see both of ur answers..and I am looking forward to see answers from others too...
Thanks once again!!

Answer 1

The handmaid's tale is a story told using a religiously conservative society taken to such an extent that they use religious justification for whatever plan they have. They enslave all women who are not 'upper class' and those women who are unable to conceive are put to death via the 'mines' or whatever they were. Those who can are placed in the households of the rich where they read the bible story of rachael? (it's been a while since I've read this) who gave her handmaiden to her husband to conceive with so that they could have children. The point of the book is to show that unquestioning religious governments lead to corruption and vice. Or at least in this instance. Step back and imagine your own life and where you would fall in their scheme of things. Would you be an infant conceived by your father with someone else. Would you mother be able to get over that? Talk about the backdrop of Gilead. Because of the religious belief of dominion over the earth, the country is polluted to the point where the citizens in it are predominately infertile. There are clubs where only men can go and drink and have sex with women who aren't their wives, there are two classes of women and men (workers/handmaids and the rich), This is a religious tale of warning against the further conservativeness of our own society where we no longer protect clean air, water and soil; we allow deforestation, restrict immigration (notice everyone in power is white?, they are all white because the rich don't want non-white babies) civil rights are erased (handmaids can't be unaccompanied) etc. If you can't see the political implications of this book you should read it again, or find a liberal classmate. They could really open it up for you.

Answer 2

This book, like all books that portray a futuristic society in a negative way (dystopia) is really commenting on society today.
The women in the book are enslaved for the elite upperclass. They are forced to have babies for the rich ones who can't. all the poor women who are unable to have babies are sentenced to work in the death camps.
Margaret Atwood is saying, that today, women are expected to have children and that is seen as our job, our duty. Women that are unable to conceive are made to feel useless and ashamed.
The women in the book had no rights, they were watched and spied on constantly, this also comments to the lack of rights for women all around the world.
the book also shows a strict religious society, where women are covered up, sexuality is considered a sin, as well as most forms of entertainment as we know it are considered sinful. They pray alot I believe (sorry, its been awhile and I don't remember all the details)
Margatet Atwood is commenting on how religion today portrays women negatively, ever since the story of Eve, women have been cast in the role as evil, sexual temptresses. We do not accept women's sexuality, she is labeled a ***** and looked down upon while men are admired. Many religions today hold men above women, are in many parts of the world, women are forced to cover themselves.

Answer 3

wasn't it written from the handmaid's point of view?
so i'd think first person point of view is a good answer.
i think there is a lot of religious stuff in there.
so try biblical stuff. aren't they always refering to the bible
to justify the stuff they do?

it seems there's a lot of juxtaposition, too.
ie infertile men are not blamed, but infertile women are.