Using examples from the novel, define what makes a dystopian society. What are its main characteristics and functions?

Compare The Year of the Flood with David Mitchell’s novel The Bone Clocks. How do the two novels’ depictions of climate change and its potential to fray social fabric differ, and how do they overlap?

What is the purpose of dystopian literature like The Year of the Flood? How does it make us think about today and the consequences of our actions regarding the future of our planet?

Literary Area of Study

Canadian Literature

Fiction

Science Fiction & Dystopian Fiction

Margaret Atwood

Adult

Novel

MaddAddam Trilogy

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Year of the Flood  and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Year of the Flood  Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue

The Year of the Flood  Prologue Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “The Year of the Flood”

Part 1 The Year of the Flood  Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Creation Day”

Part 2 The Year of the Flood  Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The Feast of Adam and All Primates”

Part 3 The Year of the Flood  Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “The Festival of Arks”

Part 4 The Year of the Flood  Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Saint Euell of Wild Foods”

Part 5 The Year of the Flood  Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “Mole Day”

Part 6 The Year of the Flood  Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7: “April Fish”

Part 7 The Year of the Flood  Part 7 Summary & Analysis

Part 8: “The Feast of Serpent Wisdom”

Part 8 The Year of the Flood  Part 8 Summary & Analysis

Part 9: “Pollination Day”

Part 9 The Year of the Flood  Part 9 Summary & Analysis

Part 10: “Saint Dian, Martyr”

Part 10 The Year of the Flood  Part 10 Summary & Analysis

Part 11: “Predator Day”

Part 11 The Year of the Flood  Part 11 Summary & Analysis

Part 12: “Saint Rachel and All Birds”

Part 12 The Year of the Flood  Part 12 Summary & Analysis

Part 13: “Saint Terry and All Wayfarers, and Saint Julian and All Souls”

Part 13 The Year of the Flood  Part 13 Summary & Analysis

Part 14: “Saint Julian and All Souls”

Part 14 The Year of the Flood  Part 14 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Year of the Flood  Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Year of the Flood  Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Year of the Flood  Symbols & Motifs

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citation

Important Quotes

The Year of the Flood  Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Year of the Flood  Essay Topics

The Year of the Flood

Essay Topics

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