The Republic of Gilead

The Republic of Gilead is a fictional theocratic society from Margaret Atwood’s novel *The Handmaid’s Tale*. It is a totalitarian regime that dominates a future version of the United States, where a strict interpretation of religious texts justifies oppressive laws. Women’s rights are severely limited, and some are forced into roles like child-bearing “handmaids.” The government enforces loyalty through surveillance, punishment, and ritualistic control. Gilead’s structure reflects an extreme, authoritarian use of religion to justify political power, emphasizing control over individual freedom and personal autonomy.