Have You Heard The Handmaid's Tale? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Have You Heard The Handmaid's Tale?

The classic novel is making modern day connections.

21
Have You Heard The Handmaid's Tale?
Entertainment Weekly

Have you heard the Handmaids Tale?

Spoiler Warning!

A few weeks ago marked the season one finale of the Hulu original series The Handmaids Tale. The series is based off the 1985 Margaret Atwood novel. Like any good binge watcher, I was left at the end of the season wanting answers and needing to know what happened after the cliffhanger ending of the season. So, I went out and got a copy of the book.

Basically, the story falls in the not too distant future where pollution and global warming have left the vast majority of women unable to have children. Instead of letting the human race go extinct, the few women who are still able to carry to term are hauled away and kept in slave like conditions; they are forced to have intercourse with the men of their assigned household and then give up the resulting children before being placed into another home to repeat the process. Those who refuse to do as their told are beaten, tortured, mutilated, or killed. Several of the “Handmaids,” as they are called in the story, are missing limbs, eyes, or have even been castrated as a punishment for misbehaving. Despite the awful conditions they are forced to live in, they are still forced to perform what they call the “ceremony” while the handmaids are ovulating (totally an even more disturbing concept when you realize that the wives of the men having sex with the handmaids are sitting on the bed during this…err…um... “ceremony.”

Basically, this is not the kind of story you want to read before you go to sleep at night.

What many are finding so insightful about the idea behind the novel is how easily relatable it is to our modern day politics. This was literally written over 30 years ago and yet there are women donning the long red robes and head bonnets as a protest to present day political issues. The Hill and CNN have recently published articles following these Handmaid’s Tale themed protests against issues involving health care and the current struggle in government with Planned Parenthood. Whichever side of the political line you fall on, a protest that involves individuals dressing up as fictional characters is sure to grab the public’s attention.

Even if a story that ties to modern political issues does nothing to peak your interest, it's still worth the read. It's full of death, gore, forced sexual acts, and silly hats (everything a good book should have). The short novel is easily read in less time than it takes to watch the Hulu series. The Emmy nominated show clearly has a big following, but if you’re not trying to imagine the graphic images depicted in the story, then maybe the show is more for you. Although if my description of the plot isn’t obvious enough, you should be warned that it’s not for the faint of heart, and definitely not something to watch around young children.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

442818
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

16302
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

41418
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21163
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321596
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments