FEMINISM
Definition: Feminist literary criticism draws attention to the importance of gender equality by use of literature works. Feminism plays a large role in Women's Studies, developed in the 1970s.
Qualifiers:
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Written from the point of view of a female character
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Largely states an opinion on the role and place of women in society
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Raises questions on the feminist movement
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Makes the reader aware of the importance and significance of the female body
Feminism in The Handmaid's Tale:
Perhaps the largest and easiest to identify type of criticism in The Handmaid's Tale is feminism. This book hits all four qualifiers from the list above; classifying this book as a solid work of feministic fiction. First, the entire book, except for the historical notes, is written from Offred's point of view. She is the main character and is an oppressed female living in Gilead. Secondly, this controversial book states a very argumentative opinion on the roles of women. For example, each stereotype of a woman is represented. The Marthas are forced to cook in the kitchen and serve the household all day. The Wives seem to not even serve a purpose other than to be married, take the name of a highly known man, and live in his shadow while he sustains a job. Third, this book allows the reader to raise their own questions on feminism. Some questions my classmates had in our discussions involved "why women allowed themselves to be treated that way?" and "why no one seemed to stand up for all of the women?", to which most of the answers revolved around "it seems to be the social norm" and "that's just how society is in Gilead". These questions allow us to shed light on how much women seriously are opressed; both in the book and in the real world. Lastly, this book allows the reader to understand how important the existence female body really is. Without women, the world would not populate. This is obviously over-exaggerated in the book since the fertile women are seen as slaves to have babies. The infertile women are given jobs, where without these jobs, they would have no place in society. Men in this book seem to rule society and are given the highest of jobs. The importance of women is very clear in The Handmaid's Tale and also makes the reader aware of the need for women. It is very obvious that The Handmaid's Tale is an argument for feminism and feminism seems to be the most prominent critical theory.