Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-3-1-berlin-and-iran [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel.md) › [English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale.md) › Berlin & Iran # Berlin & Iran English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale, topic 4.3.1 ## Political Context - Berlin and Iran _The Handmaid's Tale_ seems to draw on ideas of segregation and the oppression of women from Berlin and Iran respectively. ### Inspiration of Berlin ![Inspiration of Berlin](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/10.3.1%20Using%20materials/brick-wall-3044356_640-min.jpg) - Atwood wrote _The Handmaid’s Tale_ partially in West Berlin during the 1980s. - The novel was published in 1986, three years before the Berlin Wall fell. - It's clear that the Berlin Wall - a symbol of segregation and isolation - hugely inspired Atwood, especially as the Wall in _The Handmaid's Tale_ is a symbol of fear, punishment and ideological control. ### Professor Crescent Moon - Iran ![Professor Crescent Moon - Iran](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-11/846f6840-2482-48f4-bde7-5993d4a64829/iranian-revolution-iran-.jpg) - In the Historical Notes, Professor Crescent Moon subtly makes reference to the Iranian Revolution as she introduces Professor Pieixoto’s publications, including __“Iran and Gilead: two late-20th-century monotheocracies”__. - In 1978-79, the Iranian Revolution saw the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a new Islamic republic. ### The Iranian Revolution ![The Iranian Revolution](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-11/4cf0f5d9-3965-4392-b6ae-ce403deba0c0/hijab-.jpg) - This revolution led to women's rights being diminished, including the adoption of mandatory veiling of women, the forced wearing of the hijab, along with public stoning for people believed to be dissenters, the law that women are not allowed to travel without their husband’s permission along with many other conditions that women have to live under. - There are parallels between the Handmaids’ habits and hooded hats and the forced wearing of the Hijab in Iran. ## Test yourself on Berlin & Iran - Where did Atwood write part of _The Handmaid's Tale_? - Who wrote Professor __“Iran and Gilead: two late-20th-century monotheocracies”__? - When did the Iranian Revolution take place? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/cb642fd7-ccab-4fbd-9651-ea110bffd26a/section/8b1cd1a4-c1b0-4dc4-9324-359efa77e78f/session) - Previous topic: [4.2.2 Links to Dystopian Fiction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-2-2-links-to-dystopian-fiction.md) - Next topic: [4.3.2 The New Right in America](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-3-2-the-new-right-in-america.md) ## English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale contents ### 1 Author Background - 1.1 Margaret Atwood - [1.1.1 Margaret Atwood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/1-1-1-margaret-atwood.md) ### 2 Chapter Summaries - 2.1 Chapter 1: Night I - [2.1.1 Chapter 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-1-1-chapter-1.md) - 2.2 Chapters 2-6: Shopping II - [2.2.1 Chapter 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-1-chapter-2.md) - [2.2.2 Chapter 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-2-chapter-3.md) - [2.2.3 Chapter 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-3-chapter-4.md) - [2.2.4 Chapter 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-4-chapter-5.md) - [2.2.5 Chapter 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-5-chapter-6.md) - 2.3 Chapter 7: Night II - [2.3.1 Chapter 7](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-3-1-chapter-7.md) - 2.4 Chapters 8-12: Waiting Room IV - [2.4.1 Chapter 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-1-chapter-8.md) - [2.4.2 Chapter 9](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-2-chapter-9.md) - [2.4.3 Chapter 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-3-chapter-10.md) - [2.4.4 Chapter 11](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-4-chapter-11.md) - [2.4.5 Chapter 12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-5-chapter-12.md) - 2.5 Chapter 13: Nap V - [2.5.1 Chapter 13](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-5-1-chapter-13.md) - 2.6 Chapters 14-17: Household VI - [2.6.1 Chapter 14](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-1-chapter-14.md) - [2.6.2 Chapter 15](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-2-chapter-15.md) - [2.6.3 Chapter 16](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-3-chapter-16.md) - [2.6.4 Chapter 17](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-4-chapter-17.md) - 2.7 Chapter 18: Night VII - [2.7.1 Chapter 18](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-7-1-chapter-18.md) - 2.8 Chapters 19-23: Birth Day VIII - [2.8.1 Chapter 19](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-1-chapter-19.md) - [2.8.2 Chapter 20](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-2-chapter-20.md) - [2.8.3 Chapter 21](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-3-chapter-21.md) - [2.8.4 Chapter 22](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-4-chapter-22.md) - [2.8.5 Chapter 23](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-5-chapter-23.md) - 2.9 Chapter 24: Night IX - [2.9.1 Chapter 24](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-9-1-chapter-24.md) - 2.10 Chapters 25-29: Soul Scrolls X - [2.10.1 Chapter 25](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-1-chapter-25.md) - [2.10.2 Chapter 26](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-2-chapter-26.md) - [2.10.3 Chapter 27](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-3-chapter-27.md) - [2.10.4 Chapter 28](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-4-chapter-28.md) - [2.10.5 Chapter 29](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-5-chapter-29.md) - 2.11 Chapter 30: Night XI - [2.11.1 Chapter 30](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-11-1-chapter-30.md) - 2.12 Chapters 31-39: Jezebel's XII - [2.12.1 Chapter 31](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-1-chapter-31.md) - [2.12.2 Chapter 32](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-2-chapter-32.md) - [2.12.3 Chapter 33](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-3-chapter-33.md) - [2.12.4 Chapter 34](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-4-chapter-34.md) - [2.12.5 Chapter 35](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-5-chapter-35.md) - [2.12.6 Chapter 36](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-6-chapter-36.md) - [2.12.7 Chapter 37](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-7-chapter-37.md) - [2.12.8 Chapter 38](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-8-chapter-38.md) - [2.12.9 Chapter 39](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-9-chapter-39.md) - 2.13 Chapter 40: Night XIII - [2.13.1 Chapter 40](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-13-1-chapter-40.md) - 2.14 Chapters 41-45: Salvaging XIV - [2.14.1 Chapter 41](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-1-chapter-41.md) - [2.14.2 Chapter 42](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-2-chapter-42.md) - [2.14.3 Chapter 43](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-3-chapter-43.md) - [2.14.4 Chapter 44](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-4-chapter-44.md) - [2.14.5 Chapter 45](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-5-chapter-45.md) - 2.15 Chapter 46: Night XV - [2.15.1 Chapter 46](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-15-1-chapter-46.md) - 2.16 Historical Notes - [2.16.1 Historical Notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-16-1-historical-notes.md) ### 3 Dedications & Epigraph - 3.1 Dedications & Epigraph - [3.1.1 Dedications](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/3-1-1-dedications.md) - [3.1.2 Epigraph](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/3-1-2-epigraph.md) ### 4 Context - 4.1 Setting - [4.1.1 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-1-1-setting.md) - 4.2 Literary Context & Genre - [4.2.1 The Canterbury Tales & The Scarlet Letter](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-2-1-the-canterbury-tales-and-the-scarlet-letter.md) - [4.2.2 Links to Dystopian Fiction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-2-2-links-to-dystopian-fiction.md) - 4.3 Political Context - [4.3.1 Berlin & Iran](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-3-1-berlin-and-iran.md) - [4.3.2 The New Right in America](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-3-2-the-new-right-in-america.md) - 4.4 Historical Context - [4.4.1 Puritan New England](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-4-1-puritan-new-england.md) - 4.5 Parallels: Read World & Gilead - [4.5.1 The Underground Femaleroad](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-1-the-underground-femaleroad.md) - [4.5.2 Children of Ham & Soul Scrolls](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-2-children-of-ham-and-soul-scrolls.md) - [4.5.3 Offred's Tattoo, Salvaging & Illegal Abortions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-3-offreds-tattoo-salvaging-and-illegal-abortions.md) - [4.5.4 Unwomen, Colonies & Giving Away Offred's Daughter](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-4-unwomen-colonies-and-giving-away-offreds-daughter.md) - 4.6 Religious Context - [4.6.1 Religious Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-6-1-religious-context.md) ### 5 Narrative Structure & Literary Techniques - 5.1 Narrative Structure - [5.1.1 Narrative Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/5-1-1-narrative-structure.md) - 5.2 Literary Techniques - [5.2.1 Literary Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/5-2-1-literary-techniques.md) - [5.2.2 Colour Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/5-2-2-colour-symbolism.md) ### 6 Themes & Imagery - 6.1 Themes - [6.1.1 Survival & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/6-1-1-survival-and-language.md) - [6.1.2 The Female Body](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/6-1-2-the-female-body.md) - 6.2 Imagery - [6.2.1 The Garden & Doubles](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/6-2-1-the-garden-and-doubles.md) ### 7 Characters - 7.1 Female Characters - [7.1.1 Offred & Moira](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-1-1-offred-and-moira.md) - [7.1.2 Offred's Mother, Ofglen & Ofwarren](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-1-2-offreds-mother-ofglen-and-ofwarren.md) - [7.1.3 Serena Joy & Aunt Lydia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-1-3-serena-joy-and-aunt-lydia.md) - 7.2 Male Characters - [7.2.1 The Commander](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-2-1-the-commander.md) - [7.2.2 Nick & Luke](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-2-2-nick-and-luke.md) ### 8 Readings - 8.1 Readings of The Handmaid's Tale - [8.1.1 Eco-Criticism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/8-1-1-eco-criticism.md) - [8.1.2 Complacency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/8-1-2-complacency.md) ### 9 Recap: Main Quotes - 9.1 Quotes by Chapter - [9.1.1 Chapters 1 & 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-1-chapters-1-and-2.md) - [9.1.2 Chapters 3 & 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-2-chapters-3-and-4.md) - [9.1.3 Chapters 5 & 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-3-chapters-5-and-6.md) - [9.1.4 Chapters 7 & 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-4-chapters-7-and-8.md) - [9.1.5 Chapters 9 & 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-5-chapters-9-and-10.md) - [9.1.6 Chapters 11 & 12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-6-chapters-11-and-12.md) - [9.1.7 Chapters 13 & 14](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-7-chapters-13-and-14.md) - [9.1.8 Chapter 15 & 16](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-8-chapter-15-and-16.md) - [9.1.9 Chapters 17 & 18](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-9-chapters-17-and-18.md) - [9.1.10 Chapters 19 & 20](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-10-chapters-19-and-20.md) - [9.1.11 Chapters 21 & 22](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-11-chapters-21-and-22.md) - [9.1.12 Chapters 23 & 24](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-12-chapters-23-and-24.md) - [9.1.13 Chapters 25 & 26](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-13-chapters-25-and-26.md) - [9.1.14 Chapters 27 & 28](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-14-chapters-27-and-28.md) - [9.1.15 Chapters 29 & 30](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-15-chapters-29-and-30.md) - [9.1.16 Chapters 31 & 32](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-16-chapters-31-and-32.md) - [9.1.17 Chapters 33 & 34](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-17-chapters-33-and-34.md) - [9.1.18 Chapters 35 & 36](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-18-chapters-35-and-36.md) - [9.1.19 Chapters 37 & 38](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-19-chapters-37-and-38.md) - [9.1.20 Chapters 39 & 40](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-20-chapters-39-and-40.md) - [9.1.21 Chapters 41 & 42](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-21-chapters-41-and-42.md) - [9.1.22 Chapters 43 & 44](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-22-chapters-43-and-44.md) - [9.1.23 Chapters 45 & 46](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-23-chapters-45-and-46.md) - [9.1.24 Historical Notes & Epigraphs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-24-historical-notes-and-epigraphs.md) - 9.2 Text Structure - Quotes - [9.2.1 Literary Techniques - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-1-literary-techniques-quotes.md) - [9.2.2 Survival & Language -Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-2-survival-and-language-quotes.md) - [9.2.3 The Female Body - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-3-the-female-body-quotes.md) - [9.2.4 The Garden & Doubles - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-4-the-garden-and-doubles-quotes.md) - [9.2.5 Eco-Criticism & Complacency - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-5-eco-criticism-and-complacency-quotes.md)