Table of Contents
Introduction 9
Chronology 12
Chapter 1 Background on Margaret Atwood
1 The Life of Margaret Atwood Lee Briscoe Thompson 17
2 The Impact of Feminism, Postcolonialism, and Utopianism on Atwood's Writing Margaret Atwood as told to Danita J. Dodson 28
Chapter 2 The Handmaid's Tale and Women's Issues
1 The Handmaid's Tale Addresses Sexism and Ignores Racism Ben Merriman 42
2 The Handmaid's Tale Is a Defense of Abortion and Pornography Anne Barbeau Gardiner 46
3 The Treatment of Women in The Handmaid's Tale Is the Historical Norm Jill Swale 56
4 The Handmaid's Tale Dramatizes the 1980s Antifeminist Backlash
5 Feminism and Religious Fundamentalism Merge in The Handmaid's Tale Barbara Ehrenreich 80
6 The Special Impact of The Handmaid's Tale on Female Readers J. Brooks Bouson 87
7 Controlling Women's Voices in The Handmaid's Tale David S. Hogsette 98
8 Women Oppress Women in Atwood's Novel|vTara J. Johnson 113
Chapter 3 Contemporary Perspectives on Women's Issues
1 Opponents of Gay Marriage Seek to Restrict Sexual and Marital Freedom for All Linda Hirshman 124
2 The Surrogacy Market in India Exploits Vulnerable Women Amana Fontanella-Khan 128
3 Government Policies Should Not Treat Women as Childbearing Vessels Sunsara Taylor 133
4 Modesty Is Forced on Women in Chechnya Tanya Lokshina 138
For Further Discussion 145
For Further Reading 147
Bibliography 148
Index 152
