Baby Business & Power Plays
In The Handmaid’s Tale, why are Handmaids valuable?
Fertility is rare and uncommon
Who teaches the Handmaids the concept of “freedom to” vs. “freedom from”?
Aunt Lydia
Who are “The Eyes”?
Gilead’s secret service.
What is the resistance group in Handmaid's Tale and The Children of Men?
Handmaid's Tale - Mayday
The Children of Men - Five Fishes
What do empty playgrounds symbolize?
Loss of future, dying society, hopelessness.
In the slideshow you saw, why is Julian’s pregnancy so shocking in The Children of Men?
Society has not been able to reproduce for 25 years.
What does “freedom from” mean in Gilead?
Freedom from sexual violence or chaos, but at the cost of rights.
Name one method of control used by the Council (from the slideshow).
Quietus, patrols, Isle of Man colony
Who represents hope in The Children of Men?
Julian and her baby
What do the wings on Handmaids’ bonnets symbolize?
Isolation, silence, restricted vision
How does infertility give both governments more control?
Gilead uses fertility to control women. The Council uses the crisis of infertility to justify strict rules.
What “freedom from” does Xan offer citizens?
Freedom from chaos or destruction, but under a dictatorship.
Why does Gilead make Handmaids dress in red?
Visibility, control, symbolism of fertility and blood.
Why is Offred’s resistance mostly internal?
She lacks power, resources, or freedom to openly rebel
What does the Commanders’ offices symbolize?
Male power, secrecy, corruption, and control over women
What does Xan fear Julian’s baby will take away from him?
His political control/authority over England.
Both Gilead and Xan claim they are protecting society. What freedom do they actually remove?
Personal choice / body function / speech / movement (any one).
What is the “Quietus” event you saw in the slideshow?
State-organized mass death / suicide
Why does Theo decide to help Julian?
He begins to have intense feelings for Julian and wants to protect the hope for humanity / the baby.
How does the absence of children function as a symbol in both wo
Gilead - infertility motivates strict reproductive rules
Englandm - emptiness of playgrounds / society shows societal hopelessness
Connection - Lack of children represents the vulnerability of humanity.
In both stories, how is childbirth turned into a political resource rather than a personal desire?
Gilead ritualizes birth to enforce hierarchy. The Children of Men views children as symbols of power, hope, or control.
Why would a society give up freedom willingly during a fertility crisis?
Fear, desperation, hope for survival, or belief in authority.
How do fear and surveillance help both governments stay in power?
People become afraid to rebel.
Citizens police each other.
The government stays in control through fear.
How does hope (a baby, escape, freedom) threaten authoritarian governments?
Hope inspires rebellion and weakens control
Theo often notices decaying buildings and urban ruin. What do these symbolize?
Societal collapse, the end of stability, and loss of the human legacy.