Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-1-the-underground-femaleroad [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) › The Underground Femaleroad # The Underground Femaleroad English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale, topic 4.5.1 ## The Underground Female Road The Underground Femaleroad references the Underground Railroad in America. ### Real-world relevance ![Real-world relevance](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/4eeb4516-fdd3-456f-871a-5e630031d4a3/newspaper-newspapers-paper-.jpg) - Atwood wrote in the _New York Times_ in 2018: __"One of my rules was that I would not put any events into the book that had not already happened… nor any technology not already available. No imaginary gizmos, no imaginary laws, no imaginary atrocities. God is in the details, they say. So is the Devil".__ - This means that every atrocity that is in the novel has actually happened in the real world, which makes the novel even more terrifying. ### The Underground Railroad ![The Underground Railroad](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-11/7ddb48e6-9274-4770-8f77-95ffed1905ea/safe-house-.jpg) - The Underground Railroad refers to the secret smuggling slaves into safe houses and secret routes in the United States in the early to mid-1800s to try to get them safely across the border into Canada or to free states in the US. - It has nothing to do with trains. It refers to the network of people who worked under threat of imprisonment or death to help those who were enslaved. ### End of the American Civil War ![End of the American Civil War](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/406cbfa8-1be4-41c5-92f5-f63c775befe5/slave-beating-.jpg) - In 1865, the end of the American Civil War brought about the end to slavery. - It is estimated that about 100,000 slaves were saved by being smuggled through the Underground Railroad. ### Pieixoto: "Frailroad" ![Pieixoto: "Frailroad"](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/e9291d5e-a344-4c41-ac41-65c2bc09dd77/writing-table-book-read-open-wood-840721-pxhere.com.jpg) - In the Historical Notes, Professor Pieixoto uses paronomasia (a play on words) to belittle the Underground Femaleroad. - He states that some academics have dubbed it the __"Frailroad"__. - This suggests that he doesn't empathise with the suffering of those involved. ## Test yourself on The Underground Femaleroad [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/cb642fd7-ccab-4fbd-9651-ea110bffd26a/section/31fcbbfc-88f7-4e35-9711-1f8e92ee7534/session) - Previous topic: [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) - Next topic: [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) ## 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)