The Handmaid’s Tale
Introductory questions
Introductory questions
• What are contemporary roles of men and
women in society? How do these compare
with traditional roles throughout time?
Introductory questions (cont.)
• What is the importance of language?
How can it be symbolic of power?
Introductory questions (cont.)
• Describe the symbolism associated with certain
colours.
Introductory questions (cont.)
• What is the
difference between
the following ruling
bodies:
(first off, what does the
suffix –arch mean?)
• Matriarch
• Patriarch
• Monarch
• Oligarch
• As well as the
following forms of
government: (first
off, what does the
suffix –cracy
mean?)
• Democracy
• Theocracy
Roles: Contemporary versus traditional
• Contemporary
- Equality present,
equity sought
• Traditional
- Man worked,
woman cooked
and cleaned,
raised children
Colours
• The following are colours
important to the novel:
- Red
- Blue
- Black
- Green
- Brown
- White
- Grey
LANGUAGE
• Language is the one defining
characteristic of culture
• Language and its use can be powerful
What does the suffix –arch mean?
MATRIARCH
PATRIARCH
MONARCH
OLIGARCH
What does the suffix –cracy mean?
Democracy
• By the people, for the people
Theocracy
• Religion, God as a reference
Novel Study Options
What they have in common:
• worth 20% of report card
• Each require a chapter presentation
• Each require a number of literary
elements/figures of speech
Where they differ:
Available choices:
• Novel questions
• Seminar
• Dramatization
• Monologue
• Journal