'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood is a story told through the eyes of a woman known as Offed, who tells us of her current situation. For the assignment I will be examining to what extent the novel is effective as a dystopian vision. I will also be addressing any important points within the novel to act as evidence, and explaining these further.
             The main character Offred is such an archetypal woman with a family, so it is therefore very easy to imagine oneself in her place. Prior to her arrest, she is in love, has a child, and has her own friends. She remembers talking with Moira in her apartment during college, which makes it easier for the reader to put themselves in her place. This also gives the storyline a very realistic effect as while reading some of the horrific events within the text that, to some, may appear far fetched, we are taken back and fourth to different times in Offred's life where things are a lot more normal.
             Another frighteningly realistic aspect to the story is how the situation, from a eutopian, to a dystopian way of life, happens gradually over a period of time, and the fact that Atwood uses this method of change gives the story an overall realistic effect as, if the reader is to see Offred plunged straight Gilead, with no lead up whatsoever, it would most likely create many questions and assumptions and therefore, would seem more unrealistic.
             There is a time within the novel when Offred is recalling 'Amazing Grace,' and changes the words to fit her situation. She says, "was bound but now am free" (Atwood, 1986: 64) but the actual words are, "was blind but now I see," and it makes sense, as we are made aware that no matter how much we are controlled both mentally and physically, or how much people try to suppress human nature, the human spirit somehow manages to thrive and deteriorate. "I'll pretend you can hear me. But it's no g
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