After reading the first few chapters of The Handmaid's Tale, I have to admit that I was a little confused. Obviously this is the story of a particular place, which i am unable to identify. The first chapter made Offred, the narrator, seem like a sort of prisoner. Especially during the portion of the novel when the women walk in the field, which is surrounded by a chain-link, barbed wired fence. The "Angels" refuse to turn their faces to the women as they walk. This seems like some sort of punishment for these women. I was constantly worrying what they had done wrong to be in this place and whether or not they were permitted to leave at some point.
As I continued reading, I was very curious about the names given to the different classes of the women: "Handmaids", "Marthas," and "Wives." Their dress and activities were described in detail, but I am most interested to find out where these names came from. Is the novel set in some historical setting that I am unaware of? I think I need to find some contextual evidence so I am able to better connect with this story. The absurdity of classifying women (and men--"Angels") and essentially trapping them in these positions seems science fiction-like to me. I do not know much about the author so this information might help me too. I have enjoyed reading so far, but the confusion has stopped me at least for today. I am interested to hear other students' impressions of it as well.
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I meant to say wondering...not worrying in the first paragraph.
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