The Handmaid's Tale, Part 2: Crash Course Literature 404

The video explores Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale', focusing on its narrative perspective, gender roles, and societal implications. It discusses the plot, Offred's experiences, and the influence of gender on narrative structure. The historical notes provide insight into future societal dynamics, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for equality.

What is the primary focus of the introduction in the video?

• The plot of The Handmaid's Tale

• The narrative perspectives in The Handmaid's Tale

• The character development in The Handmaid's Tale

• The historical context of The Handmaid's Tale

In the plot overview, what is Offred's main challenge in Gilead?

• Conceiving a child

• Escaping to another country

• Overthrowing the government

• Finding her lost family

Which theorist coined the term 'ecriture feminine'?

• Peter Brooks

• Helene Cixous

• Tzvetan Todorov

• Margaret Atwood

What does 'ecriture feminine' emphasize according to Helene Cixous?

• A strict narrative structure

• A male perspective in writing

• A non-exclusionary approach to exploring differences

• A focus on historical accuracy

How does Offred assert her existence in the narrative?

• By rebelling against the government

• Through storytelling and bodily autonomy

• By escaping Gilead

• Through political activism

What role do male editors play in Offred's narrative?

• They remove important details

• They create the structure of her story

• They enhance the narrative's authenticity

• They add fictional elements

What does the historical notes section suggest about future society?

• It will be free of patriarchy

• It will be a utopia

• It will be dominated by women

• It will remain misogynistic

What is the significance of Professor Pieixoto's lecture in the historical notes?

• It praises the Gileadean regime

• It shows the continued misogyny in academia

• It highlights the progress made in gender equality

• It offers a solution to Gilead's problems

What question does the novel's ending pose to the reader?

• Is Gilead a real place?

• Can Gilead be overthrown?

• Will Offred escape?

• Could such a society exist today?

What warning does Offred's mother give in the novel?

• To not take freedoms for granted

• To never trust the government

• To always fight for freedom

• To escape Gilead at all costs