The Handmaid's Tale - Chapter 1 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does Astwood do at the very beginning of the novel that creates curiosity within the reader?

She drops the reader into the plot, or really into a flashback, straight away with no explanation - 'we slept in what had once been the gymnasium...'

Give a quote that portrays how cruel and controlling the Aunts at the Red Centre are.

'Aunt Sara and Aunt Elizabeth patrolled; they had electric cattle prods slung on thongs from their leather belts'

(About the Aunts) No guns though, even they could not be trusted with guns. Guns were for the guards. What does this quote show?

It shows a hierarchy within Gilead, where Aunts, despite having power over handmaids, are subordinate to guards due to their gender.

'I thought I could smell, faintly like an afterimage, the pungent scent of sweat, shot through with the sweet taint of chewing gum and perfume of the watching girls' - what is this an example of?

Olfactory Imagery (scent imagery) Signup and view all the answers

'We had flannelette sheets, like children's' - what does this quote show?

It shows how the handmaids are treated like children, lacking independence and autonomy. Signup and view all the answers

'Army-issue blankets, old ones that still said U.S' - what does this quote show?

It shows how Gilead used to be the U.S. and emphasizes the regimentation in the treatment of handmaids. Signup and view all the answers

'We weren't allowed out, except for our walks, twice daily, two by two around the football field which was enclosed now by a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire' - what does this quote show?

It suggests that the Red Centre functions like a prison, trapping handmaids and emphasizing their loss of freedom. Signup and view all the answers

'The Angels stood outside it with their backs to us... If only they would look. If only they would talk to us. Something could be exchanged, we thought, some deal made, some trade-off, we still had our bodies. That was our fantasy.' - what does this quote show?

It shows the handmaids' hope for the future and their perception of their bodies as objects. Signup and view all the answers

'We learned to whisper almost without sound' - what does this quote show?

It shows how oppressed and restricted the handmaids are, as they aren't allowed to talk to each other. Signup and view all the answers

'In this way we exchanged names, from bed to bed: Alma. Janine. Dolores. Moira. June.' - what does this quote show?

It indicates how the Handmaids' names are seen as precious objects, allowing them a sense of individuality. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'palimpsest' mean? ('a palimpsest of unheard sound')

A manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain. Signup and view all the answers

What is dystopia?

A futuristic, and often ominous, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 6 main traditional conventions of dystopian literature?

<ol> <li>The world of dystopia seems recognizable to the readers as it's a nightmarish version of their own world.</li> <li>Propaganda is used to control the citizens of the society.</li> <li>Independent thought and freedom are restricted.</li> <li>The leader is worshipped by the citizens of the society.</li> <li>The leaders of the state claim that their society is perfect.</li> <li>The majority of people live deprived lives and are in a constant state of fear.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Opening Scene

The novel begins with a vivid flashback, dropping readers into a harsh reality without prior context, creating immediate intrigue.

Control and Cruelty

Aunts wield electric cattle prods, symbolizing the dehumanization and animalistic treatment of the handmaids at the Red Centre.

Gender Hierarchy

A hierarchy exists in Gilead that places Aunts below male guards, demonstrating systemic sexism; weapons are reserved only for men.

Use of Imagery

Olfactory imagery evokes sensory experiences, immersing readers in memories linked to scents, enhancing emotional connection.

Childlike Treatment

Handmaids' flannelette sheets resemble those for children, highlighting their loss of autonomy and infantilization within a controlling regime.

Connection to the Past

The mention of "army-issue blankets" emphasizes Gilead's roots in former U.S. society, portraying handmaids as faceless members of a regimented group.

Simulated Imprisonment

The Red Centre resembles a prison, with restricted movement and surveillance, emphasizing the handmaids' entrapment and forced obedience.

Hope and Objectification

Handmaids fantasize about exchanging their bodies for a better future, reflecting their training to view themselves as mere vessels for procreation.

Suppressed Communication

The phrase "We learned to whisper almost without sound" illustrates extreme oppression, barring the handmaids from meaningful interactions.

Name Exchange

The act of exchanging names signifies an intimate bond among handmaids, showcasing a desperate retention of personal identity amidst systemic erasure.

Concept of Palimpsest

"Palimpsest" refers to remnants of an original manuscript, symbolizing how past experiences shape the present, even when obscured.

Understanding Dystopia

Dystopia is defined as an ominous, oppressive future society that creates the facade of perfection while controlling citizens through various means.

Conventions of Dystopian Literature

Recognizable yet nightmarish world, propaganda for control, suppression of independent thought, idolization of leaders, claims of societal perfection, and lived deprivation characterize traditional dystopian narratives.

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Test your knowledge of Chapter 1 of 'The Handmaid's Tale' with these flashcards. Explore key events and quotes that establish the setting and themes right from the beginning of the novel. Perfect for deepening your understanding of Atwood's compelling narrative.