• Dr. B.V.V.Padmavathi

The primary study of this paper is on position of women in Atwood’s “The HandMaid’s Tale.” Margaret Eleanor Atwood is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, inventor, teacher, and environmental activist. She has published 17 books of poetry, 16 novels, 10 books of non-fiction, eight collections of short fiction, eight children's books, and one graphic novel, as well as a number of small press editions in poetry and fiction. Atwood's works encompass a variety of themes including gender and identity, religion and myth, the power of language, climate change, and "power politics". The Handmaid's Tale explores themes of women in subjugation in a patriarchal society and the various means by which these women attempt to gain individuality and independence. The novel focuses on the journey of the handmaid Offred. Her name derives from the possessive form "of Fred" handmaids are forbidden to use their birth names and must use names derivative of those of the male, or master, whom they serve. The novel reveals the strange new world of Gilead. In Gilead, the women have no power or freedom; they are forbidden from reading, going outside except for grocery shopping, not allowed to vote, hold office, or do anything that shows that they are independent. Instead, women are subjugated to becoming instruments of birth.

Keywords: women, freedom, identity, politics, subjugation.

"ROLE OF WOMEN IN MARGARET ELEANOR ATWOOD’S “THE HANDMAID’S TALE”", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 12, page no.a569-a573, December-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2112068.pdf

"ROLE OF WOMEN IN MARGARET ELEANOR ATWOOD’S “THE HANDMAID’S TALE”", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 12, page no. ppa569-a573, December-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2112068.pdf