socratic seminar questions based on the book handmaid’s tale

Handmaid’s Tale Socratic Seminar Questions Dystopian Literature Choose three questions to answer with textual evidence (quotes from the book) to support and create one additional discussion question (which you do you need to answer and provide quotes for). Responses should be in complete sentences. Submit to Schoology, Turnitin.com and PRINT for seminar day. 1. To what degree are the characters in Handmaid’s tale forced to participate in a government that violates their ethical beliefs? To what degree are they complicit in their own fate? Does your response differ for male versus female characters? What does the fate of Moira, the character with arguably the strongest will, suggest about the limits of free will? 2. Who is the worst off in society? Is it better to know what is happening, even if you are powerless to change things, or to remain “blissfully ignorant” and not realize the gravity of the situation? What are some current real life examples of “blissful ignorance.” 3. Do you think Atwood’s vision of the future is realistic? Why or why not? What are some current events that connect to your opinions? 4. Let’s evaluate Offred as a character. Her true identity was never discovered. Does that affect her believability? We see everything in this world through her eyes. How does that influence the story? At one point she states, ”Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance.” What does she mean? What does this tell us about her character? Do you agree with her? Explain. 5. Aunt Lydia is easy to hate, but is that all there is to her character? What could she symbolize? Do you feel any sympathy for her? How can she be seen as a victim in this world, just like Offred and the other handmaids? 6. What do you think ends up happening to the narrator? What parts of the book inform your opinions?