The Handmaid's Tale

by Margaret Atwood

There is more than one kind of freedom, said Aunt Lydia. Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don't underrate it.

We lived, as usual, by ignoring. Ignoring isn't the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.

your name is like your telephone number, useful only to others;

up. I suppose all children think that, about any history before their own. If it's only a story, it becomes less frightening.