In 1985, Margaret Atwood\u2019s dystopian novel\u00a0The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/i>\u00a0was published, joining the ranks of novels like\u00a01984\u00a0<\/i>and\u00a0Brave New World<\/i>\u00a0in a growing canon of speculative tales that imagine a bleak future for the Western world. Like those stories, Atwood\u2019s novel extrapolates an oppressive future from troubling events and trends in the real world. But unlike most other speculative novels, over the course of the last 40 years,\u00a0The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/i>\u00a0has become more than a cautionary tale\u2014it has become a work of modern mythology.<\/p>\n
In the six lectures of\u00a0Margaret Atwood: A Modern Myth-Maker<\/i>, Dr. Jennifer Cognard-Black will take you on a thorough exploration of Atwood\u2019s most celebrated novel to examine the many ways this book has transcended its dystopian roots to become something more than a tale of, \u201cWhat if?\u201d Over the course of these lectures, you\u2019ll examine the social, political, cultural, and spiritual impact of the novel\u2014and of Atwood herself\u2014as you dive deep into the text to unravel its themes and inspirations. Along the way, you\u2019ll see how Atwood\u2019s work fits into our larger conception of archetypes, myths, and the hero\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n
Just as\u00a0The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/i>\u00a0has transcended its Cold-War-era origins to become something more, it has also extended its reach beyond the printed page, inspiring adaptations in film, opera, ballet, online fan fiction, and, most famously, a critically acclaimed television series that has alerted millions of viewers to the dangers of autocracy in the 21st century. In this course, you will see why Atwood\u2019s seminal work continues to resonate with each new generation that encounters it and what it can tell us about the value of myth in our current moment.<\/p>\n