The importance of religion in The Handmaid’s Tale

1. The importance of religion in The Handmaid’s Tale

2. Epigraph • Epigraph = a poem, quotation, phrase at start of a work, in this case inviting comparison and establishing context • Genesis, 30: 1-3 • Old Testament story about surrogate mothers on whom the story is based. • Bilhah = Rachel’s handmaid • It provides the biblical precedents for sexual practices in Gilead and raises the issues of religious fundamentalism right from the onset of the novel. • Also opens as an introduction for a feminist critique of patriarchy where women are regarded as sexual and domestic commodities

3. Gilead • In the bible Gilead is an idyllic section of the land of the Hebrews, a mountainous region east of Jordan. • In Hebrew the name means “heap of stones” • MA probably referring to Jeremiah 8:22; “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered ?” • One Old Testament reference which Gilead chooses not to include occurs in Hosea 6:8 ‘Gilead is a city of wicked men, with footprints of blood.’

4. Martha • Martha’s are unmarried, unfertile women who perform household duties in the houses of the elite. • In the gospels, Martha is one of two sisters. Martha devotes herself to housework while Mary spends her time listening to Jesus speak. • “Jesus praised Mary, whereas Martha’s role is exalted in Gilead.” Do you agree with this statement?

5. a few biblical allusions to get us started • Biblical allusions, both direct and misinterpreted pervade every level of Gileaden society establishing context, precedent & justification. • Language/propaganda is a major ideological weapon of any totalitarian regime. Why has Atwood called heavily on the bible and in particular the old testament? • Rachel and Leah Centre (wives of Jacob and further evidence of patriarchal comparison between bible and Gilead) • Chpt 11. Offred fears being caught having sex with the doctor. He reassures her that two people will not break down the locked door. Deuteronomy 17: 6 requires two witnesses to an act of adultery for a couple to be stoned to death. • Chpt 13 The bible to be read by the Commander is usually locked in a box. Practice mostly during the Dark Ages (300-1000AD). He reads Genesis 8:17. 30: 1-8; 30:18 & Zechariah 4:10. His selective readings mirrors the censored television flipping of Serena before the Commander entered the room. • Implications of locked bible?

6. Allusions continued • Chpt 18. Cushion with the word “faith” embroidered on it. Offred imagines it as part of three-cushioned set. “So faith, hope, love: abide thee three, but the greatest of these is love.” Corinthians 13-13. Notice the two denied to Offred. • Chpt 18. Janine on two-tiered birthing stool, so that she can fulfil the biblical practice of the maid giving birth on the knees on the wife • Chpt 31 Republic of Gilead gave Jews the opportunity to immigrate to Israel or convert to the state religion. Jews that pretended were hanged. • Chpt 34 The orator at the Prayvaganza quotes scripture that says women shall save themselves through childbearing. He says it was Eve that caused sin to enter the world and she must pay for it.

7. Atwood on religion lecture • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMrz_ivl8jo • Vocabulary: theocracy, predestination/elect • “I don’t do prophecy” • “A blueprint of the kind of things human beings do when they’re put under a certain sort of pressure” • Rule of writing book “Would not put anything into it that human society had not already been done” • Salem & hysteria (17th century theology)