What Are The Colonies In The Handmaid’s Tale?

Explanation:

In Margaret Atwood’s novel the colonies refer to toxic and radioactive wastelands where those deemed as societal outcasts or dissenters are sent to perform hazardous and grueling labor, ultimately leading to their slow and painful deaths. These condemned individuals, including political activists, academics, and LGBTQ+ individuals, are subjected to harsh environmental conditions while cleaning up the environmental aftermath of industrial pollution and nuclear disasters. The colonies serve as a brutal form of punishment and a stark reminder of the oppressive regime’s control over its citizens, illustrating the dystopian society’s cruelty and the consequences of challenging its strict norms.