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The setting is a country called the Republic of Gilead, which replaced the United States, in present times. Gilead is a run by a authoritarian and theocratic government whose aim is to return to "traditional values" by instituting repressive measures against women, minorities and political dissidents. Due to environmental degradation, many men and women have become infertile. For this reason, certain women have been selected as "handmaids" to conceive children with the country's most elite Commanders.

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Handmaid's Tale was set in Cambridge, Massachusetts for several reasons. Cambridge and Boston are the homes for the first religious and intolerant society. The Puritan society is paralleled several times throughout the novel. Sexual, political, and religious aspects are paralleled. The Puritans also victimized Atwood's ancestor. Harvard is also located in the novel. Harvard was once a school that encouraged growth, self-identity, and knowledge. Now Harvard represents the change that society has taken. Now the society is oppressive and totalitarian.

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Q: What is the significance of the setting in the handmaid's tale?
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Who is the author of The Handmaids tale?

Margaret Atwood


Who wrote the handmaid's tale?

Handmaids tale Author is Margaret Atwood


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Why do econwives hate the handmaids?

Handmaids wear red and their job is to get pregnant. The econowives on the other hand are both marthas and handmaids. They do all the house cleaning and they have to get pregnant. The econowives are jealous of the handmaids because they are able to rest. They do not have to worry about cooking and cleaning. When the handmaids get pregnant, the handmaid's are taken care of by the commander's wives and marthas but the econowives have to take care of themselves as well as the house work. The econowives also think of the handmaids as whores for they have to sleep with commanders when in fact they are not like prostitutes since they are doing it against their will and find their lives unhappy. This is why many handmaid's kill themselves.