In Handmaid's Tale, What can you tell about the period just from the first sentence?

"We slept in what had once been the gymnasium?"

What I put was that it was from long time ago because a gymnasium is used for playing sports, not to sleep and in this sentence it's telling us that they slept there.

So ... why would they be sleeping where people usually play sports??

They could be sleeping in a gym because of natural disasters (weather, etc).hope this helps

From the first sentence of "We slept in what had once been the gymnasium" in Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," we can gather a few details about the period being described.

1. Change in purpose: The fact that the gymnasium used to serve a different function indicates a significant shift in society or circumstances. In this case, it suggests that the place is no longer used for sports or physical activities, but has been repurposed for sleeping quarters.

2. Reduced living conditions: The use of a gymnasium as a sleeping area implies a lack of adequate housing or living space. This suggests that the period being described is characterized by limited resources or a repressive regime that does not prioritize the well-being of its inhabitants.

3. Significance of a collective "we": The use of the word "we" indicates a communal living situation, where multiple individuals or groups of people are forced to share the same space. This suggests a loss of individual freedom and personal space, possibly as a result of totalitarian control or social engineering.

While these observations provide some insights into the period from the first sentence, it's important to note that they are based on interpretation and speculation. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the period and its contextual details, it is recommended to read further into the novel or explore critical analysis from literary experts.