Questions and Answers
What does Offred now think of her body?
She thinks of her body as nothing more than a uterus.
What is Offred's primary function in her society?
What happens during the Ceremony?
Offred lies between Serena's legs while the Commander has sex with her.
Offred is allowed to use beauty products freely.
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Who does Offred sneak down to meet in Chapter 17?
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What does Offred remember about her daughter?
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What does Offred use from her shoe as lotion?
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The Commander reads the Bible during the Ceremony.
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What significant event does Offred recall regarding Moira?
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What does Offred dream about her daughter?
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The news reports focus on the _____ of the Children of Ham.
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Match the chapters with their key events:
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What does Offred remember about Aunt Lydia's teachings?
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Offred feels empowered by her relationship with the Commander.
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What is forbidden for the Handmaids during the Ceremony?
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What is the significance of the Eyes in the narrative?
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Offred chooses to confront Serena before leaving.
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What does Offred realize about Serena's involvement?
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What is Offred arrested for?
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What does the epilogue of 'The Handmaid's Tale' discuss?
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Who is the speaker mentioned in the epilogue discussing Gilead?
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What major societal issue did Gilead face that influenced its formation?
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What does Gilead use as justification for their actions?
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What method did the professors use to try to discover Offred's identity?
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What was one notable event invented by Judd in Gilead?
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What does Offred remember about her former life?
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What is the name of the narrator in The Handmaid's Tale?
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What color do Handmaids wear in Gilead?
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What type of currency do Offred and the other characters use?
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How does the society of Gilead view relationships?
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In Gilead, women are allowed to have personal relationships with men.
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What does Offred think about the Commander's Wife?
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Offred has no mementos of her daughter. She remembers Aunt Lydia saying women should cultivate _______.
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What is the setting of The Handmaid's Tale?
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What are the consequences for women in Gilead performing abortions?
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What does Offred hide in her shoe?
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Offred is allowed to have access to music in Gilead.
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What does Offred find in her room upon arrival at the Commander's house?
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What does the Commander translate the phrase 'don't let the bastards grind you down' to?
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What happened to the former Handmaid who scratched the phrase into the floor?
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What does Offred ask the Commander for to make her life better?
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What did Luke do to their pet cat before trying to escape?
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What do the women find on the Wall during their shopping trip?
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What does Ofglen tell Offred about the subversives in Gilead?
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What does Serena suggest to Offred in regard to having a child?
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What does the Commander take Offred to that is officially forbidden?
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What nickname is given to the club where Offred meets Moira?
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What does Offred feel about Nick's opinion of her?
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What happens during the 'Salvaging' event?
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What does Aunt Lydia announce during the Salvaging about announcing crimes?
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What does the new Ofglen reveal to Offred about the old Ofglen?
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Offred feels relief after learning about Ofglen's suicide.
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Serena tells Offred that she is a __________ like the other Handmaids.
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What does Offred consider doing as she waits in her room?
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Study Notes
Chapter 1
- Offred, the narrator, reflects on her confinement with other women in a gymnasium, patrolled by Aunts with cattle prods.
- Women are forbidden to speak and communicate through whispers.
- Daily routines include walks in the fenced area, monitored by armed guards called Angels.
- Expressions of longing arise as the women wish for connection with the outsiders, hinting at a desire for freedom.
Chapter 2
- Offred describes her sparse living conditions in a room without glass or locking doors, reflecting her loss of autonomy.
- The Handmaids wear red while Marthas and Wives have distinct uniforms of green and blue, respectively.
- Offred secretly listens to Marthas gossip, revealing her yearning for companionship and the darker realities of their shared lives.
- Shifts to Offred's shopping experience using tokens for basic necessities, emphasizing the curtailment of personal freedoms.
Chapter 3
- Offred's interactions with the Commander's Wife highlight the tension and power dynamics in her new household.
- Serena Joy, the Commander's Wife, reveals her former life as a gospel singer, illustrating her fall from public prominence.
- Offred recalls oppressive rules and her initial impressions of the Commander’s household.
Chapter 4
- Offred’s encounter with Nick, the Guardian, adds complexity to her feelings of confinement and subtle rebellion.
- The Handmaids must shop in pairs, adhering to strict societal protocols.
- A shocking incident involving a Martha being shot reveals the dangers of their environment and the fanaticism of younger Guardians.
Chapter 5
- The society is named "The Republic of Gilead," and Offred contrasts it with memories of a more liberal past.
- Gilead’s laws alter interactions with women, creating a veil of fear and control.
- The portrayal of stores without readable names indicates the oppressive rules against temptation.
Chapter 6
- Offred and Ofglen’s visit to a church-turned-museum showcases the history erased and distorted by Gilead's regime.
- The Wall serves as a grim reminder of state punishment, with bodies hanged for past actions now deemed illegal.
Chapter 7
- Offred reminisces about lost memories of her daughter, hinting at psychological trauma inflicted by Gilead's policies.
- The recollection of her past choices underlines her current despair, emphasizing the loss of agency.
Chapter 8
- The execution of a priest and Guardians for homosexual acts illustrates Gilead’s brutal enforcement of its moral codes.
- Encountering Econowives sheds light on the socio-economic tiers and resentment among women in Gilead.
Chapter 9
- Offred reflects on past relationships and the simplicity of her former life with Luke.
- The phrase "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum" serves as a symbol of hope and rebellion against oppression.
Chapter 10
- Music's absence in Gilead adds to Offred's sense of isolation, yet she finds solace in memories of songs.
- Seasonal changes trigger Offred’s thoughts about her identity and societal expectations imposed upon women.
Chapter 11
- Offred's doctor's visit illustrates the dehumanizing medical practices in Gilead, where women’s worth is reduced to their fertility.
- The doctor’s proposition for intercourse introduces themes of exploitation and manipulation of power dynamics.
Chapter 12
- Offred's bath symbolizes her discomfort with her own body and the imposed standards of modesty.
- Forgotten memories of her daughter resonate with pain, demonstrating the impact of Gilead's child separation policies.
Chapter 13
- Reflective boredom connects Offred's past experiences with her present, expressing the stagnation of hope within Gilead.
- The treatment of women at the Red Center during testimonies showcases the collective trauma and victim-blaming culture.
Chapter 14
- The Ceremony's structure highlights ritualistic objectification, where Offred’s autonomy continues to be stripped away.
- News broadcasts reveal Gilead's socio-political actions, including the persecution of dissenters and the forced resettlement of minorities.
Chapter 15
- The Commander’s arrival with a Bible reflects the patriarchal power structure in Gilead, creating an atmosphere of reverence and control.### Childbearing Emphasis
- The Commander reads the biblical story of Rachel and Leah, highlighting themes of childbearing and barrenness.
- The role of women, particularly Handmaids, is centered on reproduction, as emphasized during training at the Red Center.
- Recordings of the Beatitudes are played to prevent Aunts from reading, reinforcing the control over literacy and learning.
Offred's Experiences and Memories
- Offred recalls Moira's escape attempt that ends in severe punishment, highlighting the harsh consequences of disobedience in Gilead.
- Descriptions of the Ceremony's impersonal and mechanistic sexual encounters underline Offred’s objectification and emotional detachment.
- Offred uses stolen butter as lotion, emphasizing the regime's restrictions on personal care and femininity.
The Relationship with Nick and the Commander
- Offred secretly meets Nick, an act of rebellion against the oppressive order, revealing her yearning for intimacy and connection.
- The Commander summons Offred for Scrabble, an act of defiance against the laws restricting women’s literacy, suggesting a complex dynamic between them.
- Offred feels a mix of guilt, jealousy, and resentment towards Serena, the Commander's Wife, as she navigates her role as a Handmaid.
Reality of Childbirth in Gilead
- The environment is toxic, and birth outcomes are influenced by pollution, raising fears about the health of future generations.
- Childbirth is framed as a woman's suffering mandated by God, and the absence of pain relief during labor is emphasized.
- The birth of a healthy girl, Angela, signifies the societal pressure on Handmaids to produce children or face severe consequences.
Historical Context of Gilead's Rise
- Offred reflects on the fall of the U.S. government and the rise of Gilead, tracing a rapid decline from democracy to totalitarian rule.
- The regime’s manipulation of women's rights and identities is illustrated through Offred's memories of her past and her current subjugation.
Subversive Acts Among Women
- Offred and Ofglen foster a bond, exchanging secret truths and rebellious sentiments amidst the oppressive surveillance of society.
- The existence of a subversive group and the use of coded language indicate resistance against Gilead's regime.
Themes of Control and Rebellion
- Offred grapples with guilt and desire as she navigates her relationships, fearing the repercussions of her actions while longing for agency.
- Throughout her struggles, Offred learns to adapt, contemplating the need to suppress her past identity to survive in the present turmoil.### Women and Social Structure
- Wives, Marthas, Econowives, and Handmaids occupy distinct sections in society.
- Janine, a Handmaid, is noted for having a deformed baby, referred to as a "shredder."
- Offred recalls a troubling memory involving Janine and a breakdown at the Red Center, showcasing the stress of living under Gilead.
Women's Prayvaganzas
- Mass weddings, called Prayvaganzas, are held for the daughters of Wives, starting at age fourteen.
- The Commander argues Gilead provides safety and dignity to women, despite restrictions on love.
- Catholic nuns face dire consequences if caught, often chosen between conversion to Handmaids or exile to the Colonies.
- After the ceremonies, Ofglen encourages Offred to gather information about the Commander’s private activities.
Memories of Escape
- Offred reflects on a failed escape attempt with Luke, which leads to her grappling with the loss of love.
- Serena presents Offred with a photo of her daughter, intensifying feelings of separation and sorrow.
The Club and Jezebels
- The Commander takes Offred to an underground club where women, some former professionals, now work as prostitutes.
- Offred encounters Moira, who reveals the harsh realities outside Gilead and her own choice to work at the club rather than face the Colonies.
- Moira’s resignation highlights the loss of rebellion and hope in their circumstances.
Personal Connections and Conflicts
- Offred's intimate experiences with the Commander lack the passion she once had with Luke, leaving her feeling hollow.
- Offred is taken to Nick under Serena’s approval for clandestine sexual encounters, representing a blend of betrayal and need for connection.
Collective Violence and Retribution
- Salvagings, large-scale executions, serve as public spectacles to enforce compliance among women.
- Aunt Lydia controls the narrative, omitting details of the crimes committed to suppress any notion of resistance.
Particicution
- Offred witnesses a visceral explosion of violence during a Particicution, revealing the brutality of social control through collective anger against perceived wrongs.
- Offred grapples with her feelings of disgust and complicity during this event and feels an unsettling desire for vengeance.
Identity and Resistance
- A new Handmaid replaces Ofglen, highlighting the fluidity of identity within Gilead.
- Offred's attempts to connect with this new Ofglen reveal the dangers of suspicion and loyalty in a regime built on fear.
Theological and Societal Justifications
- The historical notes discuss Gilead's motivations, including declining birth rates and environmental crises.
- The regime employed biblical justifications to enforce new social hierarchies and reproductive mandates, reshaping the roles of women in society.
Epilogue and Reflection
- A symposium in 2195 examines the fallout of Gilead, emphasizing the difficulty of authenticating Offred's story.
- Professor Pieixoto discusses the societal forces behind Gilead and speculates on the identities of key figures, hinting at broader themes of power and gender dynamics.
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