Goals
Help students recognize different ways of looking at the future of humanity with regard to how human beings and the environment relate. ;
Draw upon various ways of looking at the future of humanity in order to help students examine various contemporary situations. ;
Help them analyze current challenges and consider possible actions or options.
Brief description of the issue
In recent years, Quebec has seen significant social polarisation in secondary schools (Miconi, 2023), a resurgence of misogynistic and masculinist discourse, particularly online (Clermont-Dion, 2025; Radio-Canada, 2023), and a rise in young people’s intolerance towards LGBTQ+ individuals (GRIS-Montréal, 2025). Many online influencers call for the return of traditional gender roles and the domination of men over women, which sounds like the world depicted in The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood.
In this lesson, students will learn to use their historical and cultural knowledge to critically examine issues of gender and power in The Handmaid’s Tale.
Documents
LES_Handmaid's Tale_Lesson plan
File size: 0 B (application/pdf)
Diagram - Hierarchy
File size: 0 B (image/png)
References
- 10 Great Handsmaid Tale Activities | by EduHup | Medium
- How to Teach The Handmaid’s Tale (prestwickhouse.com)
- Why should you read “The Handmaid’s Tale”? – Naomi R. Mercer – YouTube
- The roles of women in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ explained | amNewYork (amny.com)
- Themes A failed utopia The Handmaid’s Tale: A Level (yorknotes.com)
- Hierarchy in The Handmaids Tale by Kristen Fader (prezi.com)
- Observations from a simple life: The Handmaid’s Tale: a classic novel we should all read