The Handmaid's Tale was written in 1985 by Margaret Atwood. The reason why I am more sensitive to this writing date is because around 1985 was the year when our country implemented family planning, and it was also the years when the red slogans of "only one good birth" and "daughter is also passed down to future generations" were painted on the house in my hometown. . (You must have seen it)
In response to the growing fertility crisis, radicals founded the nation of Gilead, allowing ordinary women who were fertile to prosper for the nation. The women were restricted to their freedom like cattle, and could only mate, fertilize and give birth to their male masters while they waited for the day of ovulation in the home of the authorities. After the childbirth is completed, the child is handed over to the hostess to be brought up, and the maid goes to the next family with the mission to continue the same work.
In the play, it seems that only the maid's life is depressing and helpless, but in fact, everyone except the male authority has not escaped the hardships after being forcibly destroyed. The role of the hostess Serena, she gave up the excellent political work she did in the past and started to become an obedient housewife. Her husband, who used to be very loving to her, also inflated her selfish desires due to power, and became cold-blooded and ruthless. This time he betrayed his marriage and brutally murdered his lover.
The tone of the whole play is dark, and the state uses torture to warn the betrayers. Even so, it cannot resist the determination of the maids to return to normal life and escape from here. The maids started their own confrontation through actions, and after having a common goal, they spontaneously united to try to break through the cage.
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