Studying The Handmaid’s Tale (Print)

Designed to support the study of The Handmaid’s Tale for English Literature or combined Language and Literature courses at advanced level, the materials provide a suggested approach to teaching the text, with detailed classroom activities and supportive work in the early stages to set up key ideas and angles to prime students’ thinking as they read on. Thereafter, manageable chunks of the book are suggested to allow for more independent reading, with activities to support students along the way. Substantial ‘After Reading’ activities and resources pulling together key issues and ideas encourage students to go back into the text to explore overarching patterns, narrative techniques and themes to refine initial thinking.

• Resources to support the study of Atwood’s novel in its generic context
• Structured approaches for reading, with activities to encourage critical engagement
• A strong focus on the most significant aspects of language and structure 
• Critical material woven into the activities, to enrich & extend students’ interpretations
• Connections with texts such as Nineteen Eighty-Four, Frankenstein, Never Let Me Go
• Fresh new angles, including creative responses, to sharpen up critical thinking.

Reviews

'Studying The Handmaid's Tale is a fantastic resource written by people who know what they're talking about. It provides engaging and thought-provoking lesson materials to stretch pupils and teachers alike: an essential guide for anyone teaching this text - or indeed the dystopian genre.'

Dr Charlotte Campton, Repton School

An excellent starting point when thinking about approaches to teach The Handmaid's Tale.

Asma Khan