Margaret Atwood discusses inspirations for The Handmaid's Tale

Author Margaret Atwood has shared insights into the inspirations behind her dystopian novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Speaking at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library in Toronto, Atwood explained her writing rule: if an event did not happen somewhere in history, it does not enter her plots.

Atwood noted that the story was influenced by historical news regarding communist regimes, such as in Romania, where non-pregnancy was treated as a crime against the state. She also cited the political climate of 1981, following the election of Ronald Reagan, as an inciting moment when the religious right was organizing and visions of returning women to the home were emerging.

Regarding the iconic red cloaks and bonnets used as symbols of political resistance, Atwood mentioned that totalitarian cults require specific outfits. She revealed that the visual design for the garments was largely inspired by a can of Old Dutch cleaning solution.