Socio-političke refleksije: Utjecaj drugog vala feminizma i uspona religijske desnice na Sluškinjinu priču

The theme of this thesis is to analyze the influence of political events and social practices of the 1980s on 'The Handmaid's Tale' through the lens of New Historicism. The thesis specifically focuses on the second wave of feminism and the rise of the religious right. Regarding the second wave of feminism, the first section analyzes issues of gender equality in the workplace and the underrepresentation of women in positions of power. Second, it examines the problem of violence against women, particularly the legal treatment of rape and victim-blaming. Third, it explores the departure from traditional gender roles through the expansion of women's experiences beyond the idealized role of wife and mother. Fourth, it analyzes women's reproductive rights. Finally, it investigates the critique of certain forms of feminism that advocate for the concept of freedom "from" instead of freedom "for." Regarding the rise of the religious right, the paper describes the key features of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, followed by an insight into the most important religious right organization, the Moral Majority, emphasizing its impact on Republican Party politics. It then analyzes the influence and motives of female religious activists. Lastly, the paper explains the religious right’s agenda, with a special focus on the use of indoctrination and propaganda. The thesis further analyzes the concept of resistance in the novel, both organized and individual. In conclusion, it discusses the novel’s relevance today, highlighting the connection between the society depicted in the novel and the current socio-political situation.