HT (Context) CRIMBS PPWNG
What were the main events in history that inspired Atwood?
Crimininalisation of homosexuality, Waves of feminism, puritan New England, "Make a baby for Canada", Salem Witch Trials, Donald Trump and brett Kavanaugh
Puritan New England key points?
They sought to purify the religion of England (led by John Winthrop), They set sail for America in 1620 where they diversified colonies, with a calm facade but were violent and toxic. They established their beliefs from the church and wanted to 'purify' these principles of anything that was not in scripture.
How do puritans link to HT?
The complete control of gilead, they are separated from the outside world of utopia by The Wall Chp 27 and Chp 6
Right wing fundamentalist 'People of Praise' key points?
Amy Coney Barrett is a member of a small catholic group in the modern day who use women as slaves for their child-bearing purposes
The Salem Witch Trials key points?
-The Witchcraft Act of 1604 deemed it to be a felony, Mary Webster was a victim of these trials and an ancestor of Atwood, this is still evident in the Massachusets legislation in the early 2000s
How do the Salem Witch Trials link to HT?
The victimisation of women can link to the Salvaging of Chapter 42 when women were hung to create fear
Waves of Feminism key points?
1st wave- for voting rights for women
2nd wave- equal pay, abortion rights, marital rape and domestic violence awareness
3rd wave- define feminism, 'burning bras' stigma
4th wave- movemnt of intersectional feminism, awareness of FGM and sexual slavery
1960's WOMEN LIBERATION-pro abortion legalised in 1973
How does 'waves of feminism' link to HT?
Moira's rebellion in Chp 22, Chp 15 and Chp 7 are removed by Chp 37 in the Jezebels, no real succession at all happening
Margaret Atwood life
-Lived in West Berlin, where the wall was an 'Anti-Fascist Protective Wall' diving up the city
-Inspiration from the Wall in the novel was the Berlin Wall being referred to as 'The Wall Of Shame'
-the AIDS virus was surfacing
-She was writing her novel as Unfeminist Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was in power and believd that women had enough rights
Jerry Falwell?
-Christian leader and Jerry Falwell in 1970's America resurfaced the christian church, praying and removed abortion right making them no longer legalised
-This occured during the left and right wing conflict
Speculative fiction, the fanatsy genre?
SPECULATIVE- She believes that such events could occur in at some point in the future. Seeing the world of the future from a privileged environment.
FANTASY- Atwood writes outside the realms of normality and reality, but combines them with historical elements to make her plot believable.
1984 novel summary?
-Protagonist Winston Smith is living in a society governed by The Party, which brainwashes the citizens into unthinking obedience to the leader, Big Brother.
-The Party has created a propagandistic language known as Newspeak, which is designed to limit free thought and promote the Party’s doctrines
Ronald Reagan?
Ronald Reagan became president from 1981-1989 and prioritised the 'family' approach placing women back in a domestic role and men the leaders of the household (patriarchal). The rise of conservatism saw traditional values reinforced, tax cuts and more money in the military.
The Iranian Uprising?
The Iranian Revolution, which occurred in 1978-79, is linked to The Handmaid's Tale through the novel's exploration of the oppression of women and the establishment of a theocratic regime with strict social control, mirroring aspects of post-revolutionary Iran
Ronald Reagan?
- President from 1981-1989 and enforced family roles, women as subservient and men as the leaders of the household (patriarchal). He saw the rise of conservatism, traditional views, tax cuts and more money on the military.
Phyllis Schlafly?
-Anti-feminist conservative activist who opposed the Equal Rights Act (ERA)
-STOP ERA Act as it was said to ruin women's lives
-American Attorney
The Christian New Right?
The "Christian New Right" refers to a political and social movement within the United States, encompassing various Christian conservative groups that advocate for a more prominent role of Christianity in public life. This movement often aligns with socially conservative positions on issues like abortion, LGBT rights, and school prayer, as well as opposing the teaching of evolution and embracing creations.