The Handmaid's Tale By Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood. However, there is a concern that why The Handmaid’s Tale is important for the modern society and how the book is linked with the modern society. Actually, in the book The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood uses three symbols of location to connect Gilead with the real word, in order to point out and satirize some phenomenon in the modern society.

Firstly, the whole story happens in Gilead which represents the United State. This book was published in 1985. At that time, American dream was fashionable in the whole American. The definition of American dream according to Thomas Jefferson is “Americans the right to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” ("American Dream Reconsidered”). Within these three rights,

In common sense, Harvard is the place, which is full of knowledge. However, in the book The Handmaid’s Tale, the Wall became a seat of oppression. Once a time, on the way home after shopping, Offred saw Doctors or scientists are hanging on the Wall (Atwood, 42). Doctors and scientists are the person who have abundant knowledge and are one of impetuses of the advancing society. Nevertheless, these person are hanging on the Wall, instead of giving commendation. Due to this contrast, Atwood shows the ridiculousness and cruelty of the society. Moreover, many citizens in Gilead cannot study. For instance, when the commander provides Offred magazine to read, Offred says: “It’s not permitted” (Atwood, 165). Handmaid are not allowed to read in the same place— Harvard, not in present, but in future. By using these two contrast, what Atwood really satirizes is mankind. Atwood predicts that when people are in trouble, they can do anything, even change Harvard, a place that to pursue knowledge, into a place pull of oppression and fear. So that, Atwood uses the Wall to represent Harvard in order to satirizes the dark side of