ANALYSIS
Premiering on Hulu in 2017, The Handmaid's Tale quickly became one of the most talked about shows on television. Based on the bestselling novel by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale is set in the theocratic republic of Gilead that has replaced America. Here, the state relies on the word of the Bible to enforce their laws and ideals, making the overall tone of the show very religious.
The show has drawn plenty of criticism for its representation of religion, with many claiming the show is anti-Christian. One of the main forces behind this argument is the role religion plays in governing the people of Gilead. Those in charge use their religion to "give moral sanction to violence" [9]. However, I will argue that those in power are in fact not truly Christian and use religion as a justification for their extremist views.
The Handmaid's Tale also makes extensive use of scripture and prayer--a choice that has also drawn criticism from Christian viewers. The show often takes Bible passages at face value or alters them to better fit with the plot. Some viewers believe it causes "negative views of the Church" [18]. I will analyze this point from both a religious and non-religious point, ultimately arguing that a viewer's own bias towards religion plays a large factor in whether they believe the shows use of scripture is anti-Christian or not.
A major theme throughout The Handmaid's Tale is rebellion. For many characters in the show, rebellion is a life or death situation: "waiting it out isn't always an option" [16]. Rebellion, more than anything, develops The Handmaid's Tale into a warning sign of what can happen when we no longer fight against those in power. Gilead was created because the American people became too complacent and allowed their government to crumble and transform before them. The show creates a conversation and forces viewers to ask "what are you willing to fight for?" [11]
