Literature written in our time is most effective when it is able to give readers a message that can directly correspond to the real world they live in today . Through contemporary literature, readers can be made aware of the conditions of society at the time it was written. This is more thought-provoking and leaves a lasting impact than if it was written simply for informational or entertainment purposes. Contemporary literature is at its best when readers can identify these problems in society, as the author can speak to readers and convey a strong message by alerting them, or even being able to provide a solution to these social problems. This is clearly shown in the novel “The Handmaid's Tale”, written by Margaret Atwood. Written in 1985, this piece of contemporary literature is a dystopian novel full of cautions for the development of society and our environment. Through the development of ideas and settings, we realize that nothing in the novel is original, but has actually already happened in our real world. This is due to the fact that history repeats itself and shows us that in our modern society the same problems, or even worse, can arise or already be present as in the past. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The extreme power and control of government in "The Handmaid's Tale" challenges readers to see and imagine how such a government might arise. The Republic of Gilead is a totalitarian theocratic regime set in the near future, where men hold all power and authority. The regime strictly limits the amount of freedom and individuality available to its citizens by removing, manipulating, and censoring any unwanted information, and even language itself, in order to suit the leaders' desires and beliefs. As Michel Foucault said, “knowledge is power and power has control over knowledge”. All people in society are victims of this oppressive government and are always under constant surveillance and in fear of being killed or sent out to the "colonies". “The Wall” is a key method used by the government to gain power by instilling fear among its people. Citizens who have rebelled or broken the rules are publicly hanged on a brick wall for all to see with only their faces covered by a paper bag, making them unrecognizable. Offred says, “We should look; That's why I'm there." The regime uses the Wall as a warning and threat, and even though Offred and others know this purpose, they do nothing against it out of fear. This reminds us of the difference between being ignorant and ignorant and how they let fear override their ability to do what is right. “We lived, as usual, in ignorance. Ignoring is not the same as ignorance, you have to work on it.” Through Offred's narrative, Atwood successfully conveys the idea that it is so easy to let power take control. It shows us that it is only when people notice, protest or take action that change can happen. Complacency is dangerous, and as people, it is our duty and responsibility to shape the society we live in. If we continue to look past and ignore the problems and flaws of our society today, we may end up with an equally bad society. like Gilead. This dystopian, future setting in the novel alerts us to the vulnerability and potential power of our society and community and makes us become more aware of the political state and development of our country.An important social issue shown throughout the text is the idea of ​​feminism and gender equality. This can be seen through the setting of the Commander's house and the Rachel and Leah Center (Red Center). Women are assigned jobs solely based on their sexuality and we see them, through Offred, struggle to survive in their male-dominated world. In society where infertility rates are high, every woman's goal is to be able to reproduce or perform domestic roles within the family. He says they are “two-legged wombs, that's all; sacred vessels, ambulatory chalices”, highlighting the fact that they are not considered human beings but objects intended for reproduction. The context includes the public sphere and the private sphere of society. The public sphere is the place where citizens have the opportunity to give voice and express their opinions and needs to the regime. In Gilead, it is limited only to men, who can be employed and work. All women, including Offred, are part of the private sphere; where they are hidden from society, allowed into the public sphere only for domestic reasons. Through this, Atwood portrays 1980s America, where Reaganism was most influential at the time. Reaganism, named after American President Ronald Reagan, brought back “traditional” family values ​​and many changes occurred that Atwood viewed with disquiet and disapproval. At the Red Center, an institute for training girls to become handmaids, young women are taught to be silent, that "modesty is invisibility" and are brainwashed by their aunts. Aunt Lydia tells them, “There is more than one kind of freedom. Freedom from and freedom from…Now you are given freedom from. Don't underestimate it." These references remind us not to take for granted the respect and freedom that women before us fought so hard for. Although there has been a notable movement towards gender equality since the 1980s , especially in contemporary Western society, “The Handmaid's Tale” warns us that inequality is still present in the world today and is a problem we are continually solving. This can be seen in the recent women's marches across America following the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Women dressed as handmaids from the novel appeared at these rallies and forced people, myself included, to compare the events and ideals of America under Trump's presidency with Gilead and to see the similarities between the two worlds in regarding this social issue.Another social problem that contemporary literature warns readers about is the environment outside of Gilead is filled with chemicals and pollution, and it is this environment that has caused a. significant increase in infertility rates. Offred sees glimpses of the state of the environment through television; “Now we can see a city, always from above. This was Detroit,” “…a group of trees explodes” and “Columns of smoke rise from the skyline.” Through these descriptions, we realize that the state of the environment is not clean, but is bleak and post-apocalyptic, with wars occurring and people dying not long after being exposed to the toxic atmosphere. It also adds to the dystopian setting of the novel. The environment is an important part of society, providing resources and space for our survival and ways of living as a community, for example for food production, water and air to breathe. This environment, like other social issues, is not taken out of context, but is also a reference to events that occurred in the period in which the novel was written. Global problems such as oil spills, climate change, nuclear testing, pollution.