The well-known Canadian poet and author Margaret Atwood frequently uses historical events as inspiration for her writing. One of her best-known books, "The Handmaid's Tale," depicts a dystopian society that is reminiscent of early Puritan America, which she studied in great detail while attending Harvard University under Perry Miller's tutelage.

In order to examine themes of oppression, power, and human resiliency, Atwood is renowned for incorporating historical and cultural details into her stories. The early Puritans who arrived in Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century served as an inspiration for this book. Due to their strong religious beliefs, these settlers rigorously imposed their moral standards on society. This historical background serves as a symbolic foundation for Atwood's fictional Gilead government.

The book examines how human rights and personal freedoms can be taken away by a strict, patriarchal government under the pretense of religious doctrine and traditional values. Atwood acknowledges the impact of Perry Miller, a significant scholar in American Puritan history, on her comprehension of this era by dedicating "The Handmaid's Tale" to him.

Atwood's writing essentially acts as a mirror reflecting past customs and ideologies back onto modern society, prompting readers to consider the thin line separating tradition from despotism. "The Handmaid's Tale" challenges readers to view their present through the prism of history, encouraging them to identify trends that, if ignored, could result in similar oppressive outcomes, much like how one might examine a reflection to better understand their own image.