Critical Analysis of Issues
Select from the following topics. You will be expected to prepare a preliminary thesis which will need to be approved. You will then compose a documented/cited outline for your essay’s development, which will count as a quarterly assessment. You will have a few class periods to work on researching in class.
In addition to gathering documented/cited information from Atwood’s novel, you will be required to solicit at least four secondary sources, read them carefully, and explicate documented/parenthetically cited/quoted evidence to support your argument within the body of your paper. The process of accessing acceptable research databases will be covered in class. In addition to composing the paper in MLA format, you will be required to include a properly formatted title page and a Works Cited page.
The paper should be 5-7 pages in length.
Topic #1
Many democratic governments have been overthrown in the 20th century. The Handmaid’s Tale shows how the government of the United States might have been overthrown by a fanatical group and a subsequent dictatorship established. Consider---through research of past/current military coups of the 20th and 21st centuries---how a government such as Gilead is created and how those in power attempt to maintain their control.
Topic #2
Sexism and misogyny exist when women are not granted the same rights as men, when women are restricted to the domestic sphere, and when women are valued primarily for their functionality rather than their humanity. Consider the way that sexism and misogyny share the culture of Gilead as well as the societies that precede and follow it in The Handmaid’s Tale. Research the techniques used by the past/present totalitarian governments to oppress people, and compare them to the methods the Republic of Gilead uses to oppress women.
Topic #3
Aunt Lydia says to the Handmaid-trainees, “We were a society dying of too much choice.” How does this statement relate to her distinction between “freedom from and freedom to”? What “freedoms” does Gilead claim to be providing its citizens? What freedoms are being denied? Finally, apply Aunt Lydia’s warning to today’s society: Are we indeed a society “dying of too much choice”? Include current research in your response to this contemporary question.
Topic #4
Use research-based evidence to explore how The Handmaid's Tale reflects modern western society? What is Margaret Atwood's purpose for painting this picture?
Directions for creating a Works Cited page in MyBib
Add site:.gov to the end of your search terms in any Google search box. For example, to find articles about “ethical leadership” published on government websites, enter the terms "ethical leadership" site:.gov, as shown below.
No login needed from school.
Off campus? Email sevje@cpsed.net for password.
No login needed from school. Off campus? Email sevje@cpsed.net for password.
