The Interpretation Of Identity Theory In The Handmaid’s Tale

Margaret Atwood is a strongly feminine Canadian poet,novelist and literary critic.She is a prolific author and recognized as a postmodern knowledge writer.The Handmaid’s Tale was published in 1985,this unique artistic work have brought many literary awards to the author.On "the Handmaid’s Tale",most scholars focus on ecological feminism,dystopia themes and narrative strategies.The author believes that the enduring charm of the novel is related to the Atwood’s vision.This work is recording the history,but reflects the current and future.The work not only explores the survival dilemma of women,but also consciously reflects the issue of Canadian national identity,and raises the connotation and extension of the work to the consideration of the entire human society.Therefore,the author starts from the theory of identity,including the perspectives of gender identity,social identity,and national identity combined with semiotics,power discourse,and cultural memory to explain the writer’s thoughts on identity,especially female identity and Canadian national identity.In the introduction,this article first sorts out identity,clarifies the significance and value of identity research in the current and future,and puts forward the innovation of this article based on a comprehensive analysis of the status of domestic and foreign research.The first part focuses on the symbolic expression of women’ s gender identity.It is clear that nameless,silent,and powerless women have difficulty obtaining identity.Because women are materialized as personal resources and walking uterus,the specific means are manifested in the discipline of making women behave.The second part focuses on the analysis of the ambiguity of women’ s social identity,which severely deprives women of their living space,which is specifically manifested in the suppression of the discourse system and the discipline in the closed spaces.Not only that,women are facing “lost” social situations everywhere.Ecological and socialpollution have accelerated the alienation of women’ s bodies,and women’ s social identities are also difficult to distinguish.The third part starts with national identity.At the seminar,professors questioned the authenticity of the story,reflecting Atwood’s narrative tradition.Two hundred years later,the shocking historical memory has faded,people easily deconstructed history in laughter,and the society is in a state of collective amnesia.Combining with the writer’s study abroad experience,we can see that the author’s purpose of writing this book is to defend the Canadian national identity.Women are subject to the oppression of patriarchy and become silent others.Identity is difficult to achieve.,because it is difficult to clearly define,and women and Canada are the one-world people." In summary,on the one hand,scholars can see Atwood’s concerns for women’ s destiny and way out.On the other hand,this story expresses her concern about Canadian national identity and hope for human society.