Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood - Coggle Diagram
The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood
Representation
gileads social hierarchys
People wear colors based on their roles (red = Handmaids, blue = Wives) – (Clothing shows who has power and who doesn’t)
(Chapter 5)
Unwomen in the Colonies are treated as worthless women – (If women don’t follow the rules, they are sent to die)
(Chapter 7)
manipulation of power
Jezebel’s is a place where powerful men break their own rules – (Men in charge say women must be pure, but they secretly visit prostitutes) (Chapter 37)
The Commander says Gilead was created to “help” people – (He pretends the system is good, even though it hurts people)
(Chapter 34)
women seen as objects
Handmaids are treated as baby makers, not people – (Their only purpose is to have children) (Chapter 11)
Birth ceremonies focus on the baby, not the Handmaid – (Handmaids have no control over their own bodies) (Chapter 21)
Perspective
survival skills
Moira fights back, but Offred tries to survive quietly – (Moira is a rebel, while Offred waits for a chance to escape)
Chapter 22
Offred’s mother was a feminist, but Gilead destroyed her ideas - (The past and present show different views on women’s rights)
(Chapter 28)
uncertanty
The Commander seems powerful but also lonely – (Offred realizes he is in control, but he also wants her company)
(Chapter 29)
Nick might be an Eye (spy) or might love Offred—she doesn’t know – (She trusts him, but he could be dangerous)
(Chapter 41)
narrator not being clear
Offred describes her time with Nick in three different ways – (Her memories change, so we don’t know what really happened)
(Chapter 30)
The ending is unclear, and the Historical Notes make us question everything – (We don’t know what happened to Offred, and her story is analyzed like a history lesson)
(Chapter 46)
Communication
forbidden communication
Scrabble games with the Commander- (Key feature: Breaking Gilead’s laws, intellectual rebellion) (Chapter 23)
Serena Joy’s secret deal with Offred (pushing Offred to sleep with Nick) - (Key feature: Manipulation, desperation for a child) Chapter 31
non spoken communication
Nick’s ambiguous signals to Offred – (Key feature: unspoken understanding). Chapter 17
The Eyes intimidate people just by looking at them – (Fear is created without speaking) (Chapter 4)
secret messages
Offred and Ofglens coded conversations ("Mayday" as a resistance signal) – (Key feature: Secret rebellion, hidden resistance) Chapter 8
Lip-reading among Handmaids at the Red Center - (Key feature: Silent defiance, forbidden communication) Chapter 4
Paula Varela Mendez 11A