How Does the Handmaid's Tale Conform to or Deviate from the Conventions of the Dystopian Fiction Genre?

Written Task Type 2 essay

How does the novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood conform to, or deviate from, the conventions of the dystopian fiction genre, and for what purpose?

Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale has often been categorized into the dystopian fiction genre, suggesting that Gilead is based upon an exaggeration of societal flaws and trends. A dystopian novel typically contains an emphasis upon the negative aspects of society, often involving a totalitarian regime, thus causing the lack of harmony and freedom typically found in utopias. (ReadWriteThink, 2006) This is portrayed through a setting in which images of fear, destruction and power are displayed and an author’s tone, regarding the direction in which society is heading, is dominant. Atwood’s use of exposition and imagery establishes a dystopian setting, whereas her frequently dominant tone, pleasant and utopian imagery, as well as use of symbolism, suggests that the novel does not conform to the conventions of dystopian fiction. Therefore, the novel only partially incorporates the conventions of the dystopian fiction genre and fits more accurately into the fiction of protest genre, enabling Atwood to criticize the role of women and sex in society and to provoke a response regarding feminist and power politics related issues.

Margaret Atwood creates a dystopian setting through exposition and use of alarming and oppressing imagery. Dystopian settings contain dehumanized states, constant surveillance of citizens and restrictions on freedom, similar to that established in the exposition of chapter one, where the Handmaids go “around the football field, which was enclosed now by a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire” (pg.4). Atwood creates a sense of imprisonment, which is further strengthened by the patrol of Aunt Sara and Elizabeth, who “had electric cattle prods slung on thongs from their leather belts” (pg.4). Atwood thereby establishes a totalitarian setting, which is complemented by, “… the first barrier, which is like