Research Paper Formatting Tips: Times New Roman 12 Or 1

Research Paperterri Hasselerformattingtimes New Roman12 Or 11 Point1

Research Paperterri Hasselerformattingtimes New Roman12 Or 11 Point1

Research Paper Terri Hasseler Formatting: Times New Roman 12 or 11 point 1†margins Left Justified Double-spaced 6-7 pages in length for text; Works Cited being either page 6 or 7. Headers, last name and page # upper right (begin on second page) First page on the upper left, Name, Assignment, Class, Due Date Below, title, centered Paper begins below title No extra spacing among these elements All quotations cited in MLA format. Assignment: Thesis-driven assignment. In this assignment, you will be formulating a thesis about the text, The Handmaid’s Tale , which illuminates your reading of the text. You will need to refer to at least two theorists (one must be Cooper or Finigan).

The main argument or focus of your paper will be Atwood’s novel. Your paper will include a clear thesis, which will explain your argument and its connection to a theoretical reading of the text. The paper should be broken into clear paragraphs that demonstrate and discuss the connection between your reading and the literary critical perspective(s). Make sure to organize by your ideas. Use concrete and specific detail to illustrate and explain your conclusions.

Remember that your interpretations are essential, so make sure that you interpret clearly any quotes or evidence you provide. And remember that your use of the theory is an essential component of this assignment. Theorists you must include can be drawn from the following: Toni Morrison (introduction), John Patrick Shanley (introduction), Pamela Cooper, and Theo Finigan. One must be either Cooper or Finigan. Other theorists you can refer to as have been used in class discussion include, Julia Kristeva (abject), Michel Foucault (power/panopticon), Marx (alienation of labor), de Certeau (tactics/strategies/acts of resistance), and any others that come up in conversation. Refrain from use of outside sources. (An exception might be if you need to explain a historical moment or an environmental context.) All evidence and support should be drawn from the readings that you have been provided.

Paper For Above instruction

The Handmaid’s Tale, authored by Margaret Atwood, offers a compelling dystopian vision that examines the intersection of power, gender, and societal control. This paper aims to analyze the novel through a specific theoretical lens, incorporating insights from at least two theorists, including either Pamela Cooper or Theo Finigan, to deepen the understanding of the text’s critical themes. The central thesis posits that Atwood’s depiction of Gilead reflects not only a warning about theocratic authoritarianism but also reveals underlying mechanisms of power and resistance, illuminated through Foucauldian concepts and tactics of subversion.

Atwood’s novel constructs a society in which religious dogma is used to justify the subjugation of women, creating a rigid hierarchy that functions under the guise of moral salvation. Utilizing Michel Foucault’s theory of power and the panopticon, the novel exemplifies how surveillance and disciplinary mechanisms reinforce the totalitarian regime. Foucault argued that modern institutions exert control over individuals by internalizing surveillance, a concept vividly portrayed in Gilead’s constant monitoring and strict social codes. Offred’s narrative exemplifies how individuals internalize these controls, illustrating Foucault’s notion of power as diffuse and relational rather than centralized.

Moreover, applying de Certeau’s theory of tactics and strategies offers insight into how marginalized individuals, especially women like Offred, navigate and resist oppressive structures subtly. Offred's covert acts of rebellion—such as illicit reading and personal reflection—serve as tactics that challenge the regime’s strict discipline. These acts of resistance are not overt political uprisings but nuanced tactics of everyday subversion, aligning with de Certeau’s idea that resistance often manifests in small, tactical acts that undermine larger systems of power.

The novel’s portrayal of collective and individual resistance echoes Finigan’s perspectives on agency within oppressive contexts. Finigan emphasizes the importance of understanding how characters exercise agency even within highly constrained settings, viewing their acts of defiance as meaningful strategies against conformism. In Gilead, the characters’ subtle acts of rebellion—like Offred’s secret meetings and the use of forbidden language—embody Finigan’s concept that resistance can be clandestine but impactful, challenging the supposed omnipotence of totalitarian authority.

Overall, Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale exemplifies the complex interplay between discipline, surveillance, and resistance. By integrating Foucauldian analysis with de Certeau’s tactics and Finigan’s notions of agency, the novel reveals that even in highly oppressive societies, acts of subtle resistance serve as vital forms of opposition and survival. This layered understanding underscores the importance of viewing power as a dynamic, relational force that individuals continually negotiate through tactics, strategies, and acts of defiance.

References

• Foucault, Michel. (1977). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Pantheon Books.
• Certeau, Michel de. (1984). The Practice of Everyday Life. University of California Press.
• Atwood, Margaret. (1985). The Handmaid’s Tale. McClelland and Stewart.
• Cooper, Pamela. (Year). Title of the relevant work. Publisher.
• Finigan, Theo. (Year). Title of the relevant work. Publisher.
• Morrison, Toni. (Year). Title of work. Publisher.
• Shanley, John Patrick. (Year). Title of work. Publisher.
• Kristeva, Julia. (1982). Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection. Columbia University Press.
• Marx, Karl. (1867). Capital: Critique of Political Economy.
• de Certeau, Michel. (1984). The Practice of Everyday Life. University of California Press.