Lesson 10: Oppression and Power in The Handmaid’s Tale
In this A-Level English Literature lesson, students will analyze key quotes from The Handmaid’s Tale to explore how Margaret Atwood presents female characters as both victims and enforcers of oppression. Through close reading and discussion, students will categorize each quote, considering its significance in relation to the novel’s themes of power, control, gender, and resistance in Gilead.
Students will then apply their analysis in a timed essay response, answering the exam-style question:
“Women in Gilead are both victims and enforcers of oppression. Examine how Atwood presents female characters in The Handmaid’s Tale.”
This lesson is designed to develop essay-writing skills, critical analysis, and exam preparation for AQA, Edexcel, and OCR A-Level English Literature courses.
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