Themes
How does the society of Gilead view women?
Women are inferior and only valued for their physical abilities to become pregnant.
Offred is a (blank) in the Republic of Gilead.
Handmaid
Who is the narrator and protagonist of the story?
Offred
'I want to see as little of you as possible, she said. I expect you to feel the same way about me.'
Serena Joy
What does Offred value most?
Sanity
Why do all the shops in Gilead have pictures as titles instead of words?
They symbolize women not being able to read.
What does Rita and Offred envy of each other?
Offred's daily walks and Rita's conversations and gossiping
Who is the head of the house hold in which Offred lives?
The commander
"We lived, as usual, by ignoring. Ignoring isn't the same as ignorance, you have to work at it."
Offred
Why does Offred feel jealousy and guilt towards Serena Joy?
She realizes that she is now the Commander's mistress despite the absence of any covert sexual activity between them
How does Gilead use religion to justify their changes to society?
Frequent use of the Bible, and reference to the purchase of indulgences.
What was the weapon that Moira used to escape from the Red Center?
A pointed lever from inside the toilet
Offred's secret lover and the Commander's driver.
Nick
"It was my fault," "It was my own fault." I led them on. I deserved the pain."
Janine
The smell that reminds Offred of her former life as a mother
Yeast/freshly baked bread
What is the significance of the women wearing different colored clothing?
Gilead uses colored clothing to show womens' social status.
What happens to Moira?
She spends some time at the Red Center with Offred, then she was sent to a brothel.
(Blank) is an unhappy ex-gospel singer and at the top the female social ladder.
Serena Joy
"I thought it might be the end, for me. Or back to the Center and the attentions of Aunt Lydia and her steel cable."
Moira
How does Offred tell the time of the day and night during the Novel?
The moon's menstrual periods
Why were relationships based off of love forbidden?
Because Gilead focused on the cut and dry definition of human reproduction
What is the place where the handmaids are brainwashed? Who works there?
Red Center/ the Aunts
Offred's good friend from the old times. Also, a prostitute.
Moira
'Love, don't let me catch you girls at it. Love is not the point.'
Aunt Lydia
What are the two games that Offred plays with the commander?
Scrabble and Chinese Checkers