The Handmaid’s Tale – Workshop & Resources

Are you teaching Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale?

We have designed a workshop and online resources for A level English Literature students on Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Reading The Handmaid’s Tale alongside women’s movement magazines of the 1980s gives students the opportunity to engage with the feminist debates which directly informed Atwood’s novel.

Here’s what students and teachers have said about our workshop:

‘I didn’t know that magazines like this existed ever. I have a much better idea of feminism at the time [Atwood was writing] and a better understanding of context so my essays will be more informed.’
_{– Highdown School, March 2023}

Why read The Handmaid’s Tale through feminist magazines

The Handmaid’s Tale Workshop

Teaching resources for The Handmaid’s Tale

‘[I learnt] how widely spread feminist magazines were during the ’70s and ’80s and how popular, important etc they were in spreading awareness of women’s issues and building feminism. It gave me a new perspective and new things to think and write about.’

_{– Highdown School, March 2023}

‘I had never heard of Spare Rib or any other feminist magazines. The main aims of the 2^nd wave movement were really clarified (e.g. abortion, childcare, [campaigns against] violence [against women]).’
_{– St Mary’s School, March 2023}