2017 №1(54) Article 17

E.P. Zharkova

The garden symbolism in Margaret Atwoodʼs dystopian novels  “The handmaidʼs tale” and the “Maddaddam” trilogy. P.147 – 153.

UDC 821.111-3.09“19”

A dystopian novel has always focused on the juxtaposition of nature and a totalitarian state, hostile to natural spontaneous impulses. In classical dystopian novels nature is associated with womanhood, motherhood, and procreation, though the images are treated differently. The analysis of “The Handmaidʼs Tale”, a dystopian novel written by a Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, shows that the theme of nature is realized through garden symbolism. Gardens are traditionally perceived as female space, they manifest corporeality, reproductive cycles, and procreation. The analysis of the dystopian trilogy “Maddaddam” shows that Margaret Atwood uses Biblical allusions and religious symbols. The article maintains that Margaret Atwood imbues the symbol of garden with feminine associations and the renascence of the garden symbolizes the main characterʼs spiritual and corporal renascence.

 Dystopian novel, anti-utopia, nature, corporeality, totalitarian society, garden, symbolism

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