WHAT IS THE SETTING?

The setting is a country called the Republic of Gilead, which replaced the United States, in present times. Gilead is a run by a authoritarian and theocratic government whose aim is to return to "traditional values" by instituting repressive measures against women, minorities and political ministers, with high statuses . Due to environmental degradation, many men and women have become infertile. For this reason, certain women have been selected as "handmaids" to give birth to children with the country's most elite Commanders, hence ensuring a continuous survival of the political area, but not really caring about the society!

HOW DO THE PEOPLE IN THAT SOCIETY OPERATE?

Basically, the 'handmaids, are innocent women, stolen from families, to serve in the production of making babies, hence enabling the city to grow in population, etc. next , once these handmaids, give birth, they are congratulated and then the other handmaids, do a prayer, and that woman is hanged, to create a diversity of babies, as well as to prevent the baby from ever knowing its mother. This is a perfect example of the on goings of a dystopia world.

WHAT ARE THE CONTROLLING FACTORS IN THEIR LIVES?

Control dominates all aspects of Gileadian society, from minor, seemingly petty normalities such as the clothes allowed, all the way up to how and who to have sexual relations with. Unimaginable in this day, Atwood represents modern society gone sour, something which is chillingly close enough to reality to get worried about. Control of uniform is a necessity of Gileadian society, for all layers of the hierarchy, even the top. Commanders wear black, wives blue, whilst the Marthas sport green overalls and the wear striped clothing. The Handmaid's themselves wear blood red, a sign of fertility.

The wings worn on the head prevent others from seeing their face and prevents them from looking anywhere except the direction in which they are facing. All garments cover every inch of skin; Ankle length skirt, full sleeves and red gloves all worn by the Handmaid's prevent temptation for others . The most blatant form of control would of course be the punishments given for resistance and the retribution given out for disobeying the state. Believe it or not, death was the most common punishment, even for a small flaw!It seems that the society's main doctrine is taken from the ancient book, the Bible. Still obviously this is no excuse for such barbaric acts in a modern society. Both men and women are severely controlled throughout everyday life in "The Handmaid's Tale." Elizabeth Atwood provides a dystopian world full of wrong doing, manipulation and emotional harshness and no mercy from a government in Gilead that controls all aspects of life for its people. What a world!