Dissecting Dystopia: The Handmaid's Tale
Morgan A. McLaughlin McFarland, MAPW
Popular
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(493)
In this one-time class, learners will dissect the dystopian elements of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and discuss how this dystopian society affects the five spheres of characters' lives.
Class experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Dystopian fiction has remained a popular literary genre for decades, largely because it acts as both a mirror for our current society and a warning for the future. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood remains a culturally important and relevant work, spawning a critically acclaimed television series and contributing terminology and visual imagery to real-world social and political movements. This is not a novel study or book club, but a focused look into dystopian societies in media and...
Learners will learn to identify what elements of The Handmaid's Tale make it a dystopia and how that dystopia affects the five spheres of characters' lives: personal, social, professional, economic, and religious.
I have a BA in English and an MA in Professional Writing, and have taught literature and writing classes to middle and high school students for many years, with a focus on apocalyptic, dystopian, and horror fiction. I am a recurring panelist and moderator at a major science fiction and fantasy convention, speaking on apocalyptic and dystopian media, including four consecutive years of panels specifically on The Handmaid's Tale (novel and show) and The Testaments for both all-ages and adult audiences. I have a deep understanding of the genre in both a professional and personal capacity, as well as the real-world implications and effects of dystopian media.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (to read prior to class)
Dystopian fiction contains elements some learners may find troubling, such as violence and oppression based on factors such as gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, level of education, religious/spiritual beliefs, and social status. The Handmaid's Tale specifically deals with the topics of brutal systemic sexism, racism, classism, religious oppression, and the sexual trafficking and enslavement of female characters, including forced pregnancy. We will objectively discuss the use of imagery from The Handmaid's Tale in social and political movements, and how the language of The Handmaid's Tale has impacted real-world legislation. The Common Sense Media recommended reading age for The Handmaid's Tale is 16+, but a learner's emotional and academic readiness may vary. Please use your best judgment regarding your learner's readiness.
Popular
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(493)
I teach creative writing, gaming, and popular media & culture to learners from age 8 through high school. I offer a range of courses that focus on specific literary genres, some traditional and some popular/contemporary, as well as multiple...
Group Class
$18
per classMeets once
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-10 learners per class
