The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, is set in a dystopian future that is never explicitly given a year, though clues in the text allow readers to make an educated guess. In the novel, the United States has been replaced by a totalitarian theocracy known as Gilead, most likely some time in the mid-to-late 21st century.
Though we are not given the exact year, various details in the text provide clues. For example, in the opening chapter, we are told that the US government was overthrown in a militant revolution led by religious fundamentalists.
This seems to suggest that the novel takes place at least a few decades from now, though the specifics are unclear. Additionally, the novel takes place after the depletion of natural resources, seemingly a few generations in the future.
Though the exact year is never overtly stated, it is clear that the events of The Handmaid’s Tale take place in the not-too-distant future, when the human race has entered a new era of resource scarcity, religious fundamentalism, and totalitarian rule.
Is Handmaid’s Tale set in the future?
Yes, The Handmaid’s Tale is set in the future. The novel takes place in the near-future, a totalitarian society known as the Republic of Gilead. This society is founded on a fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible and is an oppressive patriarchy that controls its citizens through fear and subjugates women–especially their reproductive rights.
This dystopian future has been the result of the erosion of government and the rise of religious and militaristic authority. Women are stripped of their rights, and of their names, becoming instead known only by their “commander”, the husband of the woman to whom they are assigned as a Handmaid, their assigned role and purpose.
The novel is set in the near-future, but is also seen as a commentary on current society, where control of women’s bodies and their rights to self-determination are still being contested and fought over.
How far in the future is The Handmaid’s Tale set?
The Handmaid’s Tale is set in a dystopian future, in the fictional Republic of Gilead, approximately in the year 2195. The Gilead regime is located in what was once the United States of America, but is now a theocratic totalitarian society.
This society is based on a strict patriarchal hierarchy, with extreme gender roles that segregate people. The Republic of Gilead is engaged in a civil war with people who live outside its borders. The novel follows protagonist Offred, a Handmaid in this society, and her attempt to navigate the dangerous position she finds herself in.
What happened to the world in Handmaids Tale?
In The Handmaid’s Tale, the world of the story has experienced a severe destabilization due to a military coup. In the wake of the coup, a fundamentalist, theocratic republic called Gilead has been created, promising to provide structure and stability in the midst of chaos.
The assumed goal of Gilead has been to establish a utopian society, but this goal has been severely hampered by the extreme measures Gilead has taken to suppress dissent and ensure absolute control.
Women are particularly targeted, as their rights and choices are severely stripped away. Women are no longer allowed to own property, work, read, or access abortion services – all rights that the previous world had known and enjoyed.
Instead, women are treated as property, having little autonomy and no value beyond the performance of their traditional roles as wives and mothers.
The most extreme measure Gilead enforces is the ‘Handmaids’ – a class of woman forced into sexual servitude. Handmaids are repeatedly raped by the elite men of the clubs and society, intended to produce a male heir.
The world of The Handmaid’s Tale is meant to serve as a stark warning of what can happens when ideas of conservatism and repression become too extreme, and a dire reminder of the importance of protecting and preserving the freedoms cherished in a democracy.
Why can’t people get pregnant in Gilead?
People in Gilead cannot get pregnant because reproductive rights have been drastically curtailed, primarily due to the large-scale infertility crisis taking place in the world. This includes restrictions on both abortion and contraception, as well as forced marriages intended to repopulate the world with children who will be forced to follow Gilead’s strict religious and social rules.
Additionally, gender roles are strictly enforced in Gilead, forcing women into a subservient role and preventing them from having any control over their own bodies or fertility. The use of sex as a commodity is also strictly regulated, and sexual activity outside of a marriage is prohibited and punished, further restricting access to contraception or any other means of preventing pregnancy.
What caused infertility in Gilead?
In Gilead, infertility appears to be caused by a combination of environmental factors and medical advances gone awry. The first suggestion of infertility troubles in Gilead comes from Offred’s discretely overheard conversation in which the Commander’s wife and friends discuss the way their doctors were able to prevent pregnancies with a sort of medical miracle.
It is suggested that this medical advance and other “ethnic cleansing” efforts by the Gilead regime has caused a wide-reaching and irreparable infertility epidemic. Environmental contaminants are also suggested to have contributed to Gilead’s infertility woes.
At one point, Offred is told that the purple flowers which she collects represent the infection of Gilead’s festering land with sterility. Furthermore, the government’s policy of providing very few medical supplies, especially to its women, has likely contributed to the infertility epidemic as well.
Gilead is a dystopia and not necessarily based in science, but its infertility problems could be a powerful allegory for the real-world threats of environmental contamination, medical advances gone wrong, and inadequate healthcare access.
Does the world go back to normal in The Handmaid’s Tale?
No, the world does not go back to normal in The Handmaid’s Tale. The Republic of Gilead is an oppressive, patriarchal society that severely limits the rights and freedoms of women, including outlawing property ownership, making it illegal for them to read or write, and stripping them of the right to make decisions about their own lives.
The strict structure of the society shapes and dictates every aspect of life for its citizens, leaving little room for change and progress. Despite the efforts of some people within the book to push for changes, the world of The Handmaid’s Tale does not realistically return to any semblance of normal.
While Offred and Nick discover a measure of hope and solace in each other towards the end of the novel, their story is only one among many, and the ingrained power structures of the Republic of Gilead remain unchecked.
What states are part of Gilead?
The dystopic theocracy of Gilead, which is the central setting of the novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, comprises of much of what used to be the United States. Originally, Gilead consisted of the New England states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Later it expanded to include parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. It also likely includes parts of the Midwest, including the former states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Additionally, territories in what was formerly Canada, including Quebec, accepted Gilead’s rule. Although it is unlikely that all of the states are under Gilead’s direct control, as it is elsewhere mentioned that there are Gilead-aligned forces in Nebraska and that aircraft from Montana have landed there.
Therefore, it can be assumed that Gilead’s control extends to at least some parts of these additional states and territories. Ultimately, the precise geographic extent of Gilead’s control is unclear.
In what city is Gilead in real America?
Gilead is a fictional city located in the country of Gilead in Margaret Atwood’s novel “The Handmaid’s Tale. ” The novel does not specify a specific city, but clues to the city’s location can be inferred.
Most readers believe Gilead is in the United States because of references to Mount Amendments and sacred texts being signed in Washington DC. There is also the mention of newspaper headlines printed 200 miles away.
The story takes place not too far from the setting of the book. All this evidence points to Gilead being located somewhere in New England, likely a few hours away from Boston and very close to the Canadian border.
One specific suggestion is that Gilead is placed in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge is a college town and is an obvious setting for a society full of oppressive rules, with fictional consequences for any transgression.
What state does Offred live in?
Offred lives in the nation of Gilead, which is a dystopian, totalitarian state located in what used to be the United States of America. Gilead is led by a group of leaders known as the Commanders, who have established a rigid world where women are subjugated, their rights stripped and men are given ultimate dominance.
Offred, the protagonist of Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”, lives in Gilead, in the so-called “Red Center”, which is a state-operated facility meant to train Handmaids—women whose sole purpose is to bear children for Commanders and their wives in a world where infertility is rampant.
The Red Center itself is based in what was once the state of Massachusetts.
Where is the town of Gilead located?
Gilead is a small town located in southeastern South Dakota, in the extreme east corner of Turner County. It is situated on the Orangefield Stream, which is a tributary of the Big Sioux River. Gilead is approximately 20 miles east of Sioux Falls, the largest city in South Dakota.
The town is located at the intersection of South Dakota Highway 19 and US Highway 18, providing convenient access to both Sioux Falls and the neighboring town of Freeman.
Where is Gilead today?
Today, Gilead is a region located in the Middle East, between the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. It is part of the West Bank, a political and geographical region in historic Palestine that has been the subject of dispute between Israel and the Palestinian people for the past 70 years.
Gilead is divided into four governorates: Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, and Tulkarm. It is home to numerous villages and cities, such as Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm, Kufur Qaddum, Kafr Thulth, Kafr Qasim, Burqin, Ta’naak, Anin, Duma, Kifl Haris, Salem, and more.
Gilead is a colorful area full of culture and traditions, being a homeland to the Bedouin way of living, as well as Christian and Jewish lifestyles. Along with the fascinating history of the area, the region is also home to many archaeological sites, nature reserves, vineyards, and hills.
Is Gilead in Massachusetts?
No, Gilead is not in Massachusetts. Gilead is a fictional town in Maine that is the setting for the novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. The novel is set in a dystopia society where freedom of religion and women’s rights have been significantly restricted.
It is meant to symbolize the United States in a near-future in which religious extremism has taken over the government and people are stripped of their rights. The closely guarded town of Gilead is based on Concord, Massachusetts, which is the birthplace of the American Revolution and a symbol of the fight for freedom.
Although Gilead may have been inspired by Massachusetts in its symbolism, it is not a real location in Massachusetts.
How many years old is Gilead?
Gilead was founded in 2013, so it is currently 8 years old. The company was founded by several former members of Idenix, a company created in 1999, and it has been publicly trading since June 2014. Gilead also acquired several companies and products throughout the years, including Kite Pharma in August 2017 and Pharos in October 2019.
Was June in Gilead for 7 years?
No, June was not in Gilead for 7 years. June was held captive in Gilead for 6 years before her final escape. During her time in Gilead, June was a Handmaid and worked diligently to do her part in the conflict that was taking place.
However, June was never entirely able to surrender to Gilead’s oppressive rule and eventually staged her escape as she felt her freedom was worth the risk. June was able to make her escape, despite being caught in a storm of gunfire, and was able to find safe refuge beyond Gilead’s borders.