In 1985, Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale was published, joining the ranks of novels like 1984 and Brave New World in a growing canon of speculative tales that imagine a bleak future for the Western world. Like those stories, Atwood’s novel extrapolates an oppressive future from troubling events and trends in the real world. But unlike most other speculative novels, over the course of the last 40 years, The Handmaid’s Tale has become more than a cautionary tale—it has become a work of modern mythology.

In the six lectures of Margaret Atwood: A Modern Myth-Maker, Dr. Jennifer Cognard-Black will take you on a thorough exploration of Atwood’s most celebrated novel to examine the many ways this book has transcended its dystopian roots to become something more than a tale of, “What if?” Over the course of these lectures, you’ll examine the social, political, cultural, and spiritual impact of the novel—and of Atwood herself—as you dive deep into the text to unravel its themes and inspirations. Along the way, you’ll see how Atwood’s work fits into our larger conception of archetypes, myths, and the hero’s journey.

Just as The Handmaid’s Tale has transcended its Cold-War-era origins to become something more, it has also extended its reach beyond the printed page, inspiring adaptations in film, opera, ballet, online fan fiction, and, most famously, a critically acclaimed television series that has alerted millions of viewers to the dangers of autocracy in the 21st century. In this course, you will see why Atwood’s seminal work continues to resonate with each new generation that encounters it and what it can tell us about the value of myth in our current moment.