Example of feminist distopia: The Handmaid's Tale

Throughout history, there has never been a genderless society in any period. Therefore, the existence of a genderless society where women and men are equal and not divided according to certain cultural and societal norms can be considered utopian in nature, and thus, in feminist thought. However, the changes in the world, advancements in technology, science, and civilization have helped question gender norms, reduce gender-based discrimination, and create an environment that supports women and men in making choices freely. In fact, the feminist ideology that has developed based on these principles is a product of efforts to enable women to live in a just, equal, and free society. Feminists have also conveyed their thoughts to society through numerous utopian and dystopian works. In this context, feminist utopianism has been used to inspire dreams of better societies, while feminist dystopia has been used to warn society by questioning the position of women in dark, totalitarian societies. In this study, Margaret Atwood's novel ''The Handmaid's Tale'', published in 1985, was examined within the context of discourse analysis, a qualitative research method. ''The Handmaid's Tale'' tells the story of a handmaid living in a place dominated by patriarchy, totalitarianism, and theocracy, known as the Republic of Gilead. Supporters of the right-wing in the United States staged a coup and established the Republic of Gilead. Due to increasing environmental pollution in the country, fertility rates have declined, and the population has decreased. Therefore, the Republic of Gilead, formed after the coup, enslaved women and forced them to become slaves to privileged families. Atwood, in general, has created a dystopian novel that focuses on the history of the second wave of feminism, highlights the restrictive and prescriptive nature of utopian beginnings, and points out some unacceptable things based on religious arguments. Therefore, in this study, the discourse analysis of the typification of women constructed in the book has been examined by exploring the connections between the characters' inner beings and social reality. In this context, the research question "How are social gender codes and assigned roles for women constructed in the book?" has been identified as the main problem statement, and the analysis has been conducted within the framework of this problem statement. As a result of this analysis, several fundamental categories have been established, including morality, freedom, obedience and disobedience, image-memory-identity formation, institutionalized gender roles, and submission to social ideals. The book has been explained within these established categories. In conclusion, the book, set under the Gilead regime based on totalitarianism, religion, morality, oppression, and fear, criticizes the exploitation of religion, the restrictive effects of moral norms, and the dangers of totalitarianism. It provokes thought by challenging the values of society, individual freedoms, and human rights, while addressing the issue of gender in a striking manner and emphasizing women's struggle for empowerment and solidarity. Specifically, it highlights the potential for women characters to discover their inner strengths, resist, question, and change gender roles in the face of oppression. Therefore, the book has been symbolically embraced and used by feminist movements and human rights advocates, and continues to be used. For example, in women's rights protests, the red cloaks, handmaid costumes, and white bonnets from the book are frequently used to demonstrate opposition to the Gilead regime and gender inequality. As a result, the book's powerful dystopia and the strong resistance of its female characters have inspired the real-world struggle for women's.