The Handmaid's Tale: An Intersectional Exploration of Disability, Gender, Sexuality, and Power
Keywords:
Disability; Dystopia; Intersectionality; Queer; Sexuality; TraumaAbstract
This paper conducts a critical analysis of “The Handmaid's Tale”, exploring the intersections of disability, gender, sexuality, and disability as an intersectional identity. Applying psychological, disability studies, gender, feminist, and queer theories, the analysis reveals how the novel portrays trauma, disability, gender performativity, queer resistance, and intersectional identity. The paper demonstrates how “The Handmaid's Tale” challenges dominant narratives around disability, gender, sexuality, and power, highlighting the compound effects of oppressive systems. The findings contribute to ongoing conversations around intersectionality, disability studies, gender studies, and queer theory, illuminating the novel's enduring significance and relevance to contemporary social justice movements. The paper argues that “The Handmaid's Tale” serves as a powerful tool for understanding and resisting intersectional oppression, disablement and disability, inspiring critical thinking, empathy, and collective action.
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