Worksheet on The Handmaid's Tale: Dystopian Themes
English
Grade 8
9 questions
~18 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
This worksheet offers comprehension and analysis questions on Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, focusing on dystopian themes within a science fiction context. Designed for Grade 8 students, it encourages close reading and critical thinking about author techniques and thematic elements.
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Worksheet on The Handmaid's Tale: Dystopian Themes
Subject: EnglishGrade: Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet
Grade Grade 8
A
Scene Summary and Context
In Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, the story is set in the fictional Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian society that has replaced the United States. The society is characterized by strict social hierarchies, religious fundamentalism, and loss of personal freedoms. Women are subjugated and assigned roles based on fertility and obedience, with Handmaids used solely for reproduction. The narrative follows Offred, a Handmaid who navigates this oppressive world while secretly resisting its constraints. The novel explores themes of power, control, and individual agency through its dystopian setting. The story employs science fiction elements to depict a future where societal flaws have escalated into a repressive regime, prompting readers to reflect on current social issues through a speculative lens. The quote 'Nolite te bastardes carborundorum' echoes in Offred's mind, symbolizing resistance and hope in a bleak environment.
1.
What is the setting of The Handmaid's Tale, and how does it reflect dystopian themes?
[2 marks]2.
Identify a key phrase from the summary that symbolizes resistance in the novel.
[1 mark]3.
Explain how Atwood uses science fiction elements to critique contemporary society.
[4 marks]4.
Describe the societal hierarchy in Gilead, focusing on the role of women.
[2 marks]5.
Identify and explain a literary technique used in the summary that emphasizes the dystopian atmosphere.
Aa) Metaphor
Bb) Imagery describing repression
Cc) Alliteration
Dd) Irony
6.
Discuss the significance of the quote 'Nolite te bastardes carborundorum' in the context of resistance.
[4 marks]7.
In what ways does the novel’s setting serve as a warning about societal developments?
[2 marks]8.
Identify the narrative perspective of the novel and discuss how it affects the reader's understanding.
[2 marks]9.
Create a short paragraph imagining a future society based on the themes of control and resistance. Use at least two literary techniques to enhance your writing.
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Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
- worksheet