Hello, Girls.
Here are a few things I found myself wondering after finishing The Handmaid's Tale. I don't mind if we don't actually talk about any of them, or if you want to bring up something completely different in the comments section or at our meeting. However, I figured these might help get us started.
Did the book suck you in? Why or why not?
If you had to name one character as the worst villain in the book, whom would you choose?
Part of Offred’s memories include revealing how the Republic of Gilead came to be in place, and at many moments it seems she is wondering if/how she could have resisted. What elements seem crucial for this Republic to have risen to power?
Moira is a character that is attractive for her strength and sass. What do we think of her escape plans, and her choice to become a Jezebel (as opposed to getting shipped to the Colonies)?
Especially toward the end, Offred frequently begins a new section with a line to the effect of “That’s not really how it happened...”? Is the book saying something about the difficulties of memory? The difficulties memory during a time of survival?
How do we perceive the Marthas Rita and Cora? Are they sympathetic?
How do we perceive Nick?
What do we think of the ending Offred narrates? How does the epilogue of “Historical Notes” change this?
What would you have done with the cigarette and the match?
For the 3:30 meeting on Saturday, I will make lemon drops. I'll send out my address via email.
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I think I will make some sort of fruit cocktail, something light and summery.
ReplyDeleteI haven't finished the book yet, but I will by Saturday afternoon, even if I have to stay up all night!
Great questions, Karen. Really enjoyed the book myself. And yes, I definitely felt "pulled in." Atwood has a good sense for pacing, especially in the middle portion of the novel. My only major complaint has to do with the ending (I'll save this for discussion).
ReplyDeleteOn a separate note, I was really interested in Atwood's choice for main character. In dystopic novels, authors tend to favor "major players" or people in especially active roles. In this book, however, Atwood decided to use Offred, a person left completely "out of the loop" to a great extent, which (to me at least) made her situation even more distressing and horrific.
To go with lemon drops, I thought I might make homemade lemon bars (haven't made them in a long time).
Mmm...the summer-y food sounds delicious! I'm sorry I won't be able to make it!
ReplyDeleteK, those are really great discussion topics! I was definitely sucked in as I read. I read it in two evenings and found myself thinking about the characters in the days after. I really enjoyed the use of color in the story. Also, I felt the Historical Notes completely changed the feel of the book for me. Without giving away too much...it made it all more haunting to me.
Well, a great day with great friends, although we missed half the group! I'm looking forward to next week, 6 Feet Under, and a new book!
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