Margaret Atwood’s ground-breaking novel, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ was first published in 1985. It has sold millions of copies around the world and inspired many screen and Opera adaptations. But most importantly, it remains a compelling book about a world with repressive regimes against women. Atwood’s words found significance yet again with the reversal of Roe v. Wade in the United States.
Well now, “The Handmaid’s Tale” is back, not just in the form of season five of the Emmy-winning Hulu series based on Atwood’s book, but people believe it has also returned in the form of oppressing women in real life by taking away their right to abortion. How does Margaret Atwood, who imagined a world along the same lines, albeit a totalitarian one, feel about Roe v. Wade decision?
Read More: ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 5 Trailer: June Declares War Against Gilead And Serena
Why People Compared ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ To Real Life After Roe v. Wade Decision
Margaret Atwood’s award-winning novel, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, is set in a dystopian world where America has been converted into Gilead, a state where women have to follow set rules and regulations, and are always followed and watched by the ruling regime.
There are Handmaids – women who are forced to have children with men of high social status. There are practically no reproductive rights. So, when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, taking away women’s constitutional right to abortion, many took to social media to compare ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ to real life.
One social media user wrote, “This ruling paves the way for US states to ban or severely restrict abortions. It could also put protections on contraception, same-sex relationships and marriage at risk. What a dark, depressing moment in history this is. I feel sick. I feel like we’re in the Handmaid’s tale.”
“It turns out that 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale aren’t dystopian fiction,” another person wrote on Twitter, referring to George Orwell’s 1984 and Margaret Atwood’s novel. “They’re prophecies.”
Read More: Jane Fonda Says “Redefine Vaginas As AK47s” To Have Rights After Roe v. Wade Reversal
Margaret Atwood’s “I Told You So” Rings Loud
On July 11, Margaret Atwood shared a photo on Twitter where she was seen holding a mug with the words “I told you so” written across it. The famous author captioned it, “In Nova Scotia with appropriately sloganed coffee mug…”
Later, she stated, “When Handmaids Tale came out in 85, there was disbelief. I thought a religious-right takeover was possible in the US, and was Crazy Margaret. Premature, but unfortunately too close. That doesn’t make me happy.”
Over the years, the popularity of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ has made its iconic red robes and white bonnets a staple for demonstrations and protests for women’s rights and marches. Many wore the ensemble to make a statement after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade as well.
Read More: Alexis Bledel Says Goodbye To ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Ahead Of Season 5
