The Handmaid's Tale

[sunshine_254]

I am planning on writing a comparative essay about feminism/male dominance in the handmaid's tale by margaret atwood but i need a play to compare it to. does anyone have any suggestions?

[Scheherazade]

The Crucible by Miller.

[sunshine_254]

Unfortunately someone else in my class is doing that play and we are not allowed to do the same thing. Anything else?

[Scheherazade]

How about another Miller play then? A View from the Bridge?

Or A Streetcar Named Desire by Williams?

[rnw1024]

I am working on a 10 page paper on Margaret Atwood's, The Handmaid's Tale. I am having trouble coming up with a thesis that effectively articulates a scholarly argument. I am currently looking into how the totalitarian state oppresses women in the novel and how the roles of women illuminate central issues in the text. Any suggestions are appreciated!

[1n50mn14]

Keep these things in mind when formulating a thesis:

Basic premise of the novel is that the world will be a better place if the rules imposed by the totalitarian state take hold. However, the women, being used to a previous freedom, can not entirely accept these rules and be happy with them. Which is a better world: one with no freedoms, but safety and protection (and reverence of the sanctity of) women, or a world in which there is freedom, but lack of respect and protection?

Also, Atwood hints in the novel that no matter the severity of radical political and sociatal chance, vestiges of the defeated society will always remain (e.g. the Club)... go with this where you will.

</endramble>

Sorry if this is not at all helpful.

[prendrelemick]

St Joan. By George Bernard Shaw, a woman in a man's world.

Aother thing to keep in mind is the epilogue. The distopia has been swept away, but the speaker seems to display a misogynistic attitude.