Точка Синхронізації

Canadian author Margaret Atwood revealed the creative origins and socio-political inspiration behind the iconic costumes of her novel 'The Handmaid's Tale' during an interview with 60 Minutes correspondent Jon Wertheim, which aired recently on CBS. Speaking from her home in Toronto, Atwood explained that the signature red cloaks and white bonnets were designed to reflect the visual uniformity inherent in totalitarian regimes and cult structures. She noted that such attire serves both as a psychological tool for control and a mechanism to strip individuals of their unique identities, illustrating how historical precedents of oppression influenced her fictional world of Gilead. During the segment, Atwood elaborated on the practical and symbolic weight of the handmaids' uniform, emphasizing that the striking red color represents fertility and blood, while the wide-brimmed bonnets act as blinkers to restrict the women's vision and agency. She jokingly remarked that any self-respecting cult or totalitarian state requires a distinct aesthetic to distinguish its castes, drawing parallels to real-world historical examples. The costumes, which have since become a global symbol for female resistance and protest, were not merely a stylistic choice but a calculated commentary on how authoritarian movements use visibility to enforce social hierarchy. Beyond the aesthetic details, the interview touched upon the enduring relevance of the 1985 novel in contemporary political discourse. Atwood addressed how the imagery of religious fundamentalism and state-mandated reproductive control continues to resonate with modern audiences, particularly as legal shifts in women's rights occur globally. By grounding the costumes in historical reality—ranging from 17th-century Puritan dress to the uniforms of modern extremist groups—Atwood highlighted her 'nothing-went-in-that-hasn't-happened' rule, ensuring that the harrowing world of Gilead remains a plausible warning rather than mere fantasy.