Veiled Realities: Unraveling The Everyday In Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale

Abstract

‘Everyday’ refers to the routine and commonplace aspects of daily life, encompassing the ordinary moments, activities, and interactions that collectively shape our existence. It represents the fabric of our routine, where the familiar and mundane intertwine to form the backdrop against which we navigate the complexities of the human experience. In The Handmaid's Tale, everyday takes on a chilling significance within the confines of Gilead's dystopian regime. The ordinary becomes a battleground for the characters, as rituals and interactions, once mundane, transform into acts of resistance, highlighting the profound impact of the everyday in shaping identity and resilience within a repressive society. our exploration unfolds within the constraints of Gilead, a society where individual autonomy is sacrificed on the altar of authoritarian rule. Against the backdrop of the characters’ daily struggles for survival, this research paper meticulously examines the ordinary moments that become acts of resistance. From the constrained rituals of the Handmaids to the subtle rebellions woven into the fabric of their existence, this study unravels the layers of the everyday, revealing its transformative power in the face of oppression. The analysis encompasses the characters’ rituals, relationships, and moments of defiance, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the ordinary’s resilience in oppressive environments. As we unravel the complexities of the ordinary in Gilead, this study emphasizes the enduring relevance of the everyday in shaping our understanding of autonomy, resistance, and the indomitable human spirit. “Veiled Realities” seeks to bridge the gap between fiction and reality, prompting reflection on the parallels between the novel’s dystopian landscape and the universal quest for individual agency and freedom.