Margaret Atwood is a passionate feminist. She openly fights for the cause and rights of women, and securely stands her ground when defending her position. When reading The Handmaid's Tale, it is easy to become enraged at the manner in which women are treated. Women have no power, authority, or rights, and are forced to live a life of embarrassment and humiliation; whereas, the men are in complete control of the society.
Atwood also portrays religion in a very negative light. Making it seem that because of religion, women are mere objects to men, and serve no greater purpose than to bear children. Does Atwood condone all forms of religion, or just the traditionalist ideas that date back to the dawning of civilization? Everytime religion is mentioned, it has a negative connotation to it, and it seems as though she believes religion, in general, is the downfall for women in society.
Is Atwood casting too much of the blame onto those with strong religious backgrounds? Or does she have a justified means for her hostility due to the stereotype that strict religious followers standby?
The Republic of Gilead seems to be based on the codes of the Bible. Is Atwood taking religion and the Bible to the highest extreme, or has the Bible and religious followers always had these underlying messages of oppression and supremacy and Atwood is just illuminating that fact?
Whichever the answer may be, Atwood efficiently questions the role of religion.
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