Margaret Atwood Warns of Rising Totalitarianism in US, Says ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Increasingly Realistic
Renowned author Margaret Atwood has expressed growing concern over the direction of the United States, stating that the themes explored in her dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale are becoming “more adn more plausible.” In a recent discussion, Atwood highlighted the potential for unsustainable regimes and the inherent American resistance too authoritarian control, while acknowledging a concerning trend toward concentrated power.
Atwood’s observations come as debates intensify regarding democratic backsliding and the erosion of civil liberties. The author’s work, originally published in 1985, has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, frequently enough cited by protestors as a cautionary tale against the suppression of women’s rights and the dangers of religious extremism. The enduring relevance of The Handmaid’s Tale underscores the fragility of democratic institutions and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding essential freedoms.
“These kinds of regimes don’t last, partly because they become unsustainable. This particular one seems quite chaotic,” Atwood stated. She also emphasized the resilience of the American spirit, noting, “Americans are quite ornery. They do not like people telling them all to line up and do what they’re told. They really don’t like that, but they don’t like being bossed around by anybody right or left.”
Atwood’s comments echo sentiments expressed in a November interview with The Guardian, where she pointed to the ongoing production of The Testaments – the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale – as evidence of hope. “The States is not a totalitarianism – yet,” she said, “though moving towards a concentrated-power structure.If it were a full totalitarianism we would not be filming The Testaments at all. We’d be in jail, in exile or dead.” The Testaments jointly won the 2019 Booker prize.
The author participated in a question-and-answer session featuring Ai Weiwei and Rebecca Solnit, further amplifying the discussion surrounding political and social anxieties. Atwood’s warnings serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked power and the ongoing need to defend democratic values.
