Approaches to Teaching the Works of Margaret Atwood

Teach a rich oeuvre exploring contemporary issues and classic texts

Against the backdrop of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and attacks on democracy and women's rights, the works of Margaret Atwood help readers make sense of the world around them. Active since the 1960s, Atwood is one of Canada's most esteemed authors and continues to shape public discourse both in her newest works and in the recent television and graphic novel adaptations of The Handmaid's Tale. The essays in this volume offer approaches to teaching her writing in a variety of genres, including speculative fiction, historical fiction, poetry, and adaptations of classic literary works.

Part 1, "Materials," provides print and online resources for studying Atwood's works. Part 2, "Approaches," addresses classes from high school through the graduate level at community colleges, HBCUs, and other institutions. The essays propose engaging activities for courses focused on environmental literature, crime and justice, women's studies, leadership, creative writing, world literature, and Canadian literature.

This volume contains discussion of Atwood's books, including Dearly, The Testaments, The Complete Angel Catbird, Hag-Seed, The Year of the Flood, The Penelopiad, Oryx and Crake, The Blind Assassin, Alias Grace, Cat's Eye, and The Handmaid's Tale.