Surveillance
What are the people who are spies called?
Eyes
In what ways does the red center scare handmaids into staying obedient?
Handmaids are taught that to be disobedient means getting hands and feet physically mutilated.
Which two people kissed Offred in an act of defiance of the system?
Nick and the Commander
Why is Offred shocked when the commander says “Hello” to her?
“Hello” is a greeting from the old days that hadn’t been said in years.
Who does Offred suspect might be a spy that is testing her?
Nick
How does Ofwarren’s pride in her being pregnant show obedience?
It shows that she submits to the notion that her value comes from being able to conceive. It shows an acceptance of the rules that are demanded of women in Gilead.
How does the wife show defiance during the ritual?
The wife shows defiance by not allowing the handmaid her 10 minutes of rest, decreasing odds of pregnancy.
Why is it so significant that the commander allows Offred to play scrabble with him?
Scrabble is a form of reading, which is strictly forbidden to Handmaids.
What was a loophole to surveillance discovered at the Red center?
Moria discovered that if she could successfully steal the clothes and badges of an Aunt, none of the guardians would suspect anything, and she could escape.
How does the fact that the Wife and Commander are allowed to sit, the Guard and Marthas have to stand, and Offred has to kneel before the ritual show expectations of obedience?
It shows a hierarchy of power, and a hierarchy of comfortability. Those with more power are allowed to be more comfortable, while those with less power are forced to be uncomfortable as an act of obedience
Why is the handmaid’s exchanging information about lost loved ones at the Birth such an important act of defiance?
Handmaids are not supposed to know about the whereabouts of loved ones to discourage rebellion, this act shows that handmaids do not see their role as morally righteous, and are looking for an escape.
What word does Offred use to describe the Commander’s behavior during their Scrabble game?
She describes him as “sheepish”.
How does Gilead use the fear of the unknown to control the people?
Answer: Anyone could be an Eye, so you can never trust someone you talk to
What does the conversation with Moira before her escape reveal about Offred’s obedience?
Offred's response was to immediately shut down Moira's plan to escape. This response was due to the fear of being found out. This shows her obedience to the system through fear.
How does Moira’s escape impact the other handmaid’s at the red center?
Moira’s escape revealed that the handmaids had begun to find the walls protecting, but that escape was still their ultimate fantasy.
Offred continually repeats her old name to herself, even though no one ever uses it. Why does she do this?
Offred does this to remind herself she is a person and not an object, and to give herself hope that one day Luke and her daughter will use her name again.
How does Aunt Lydia use Janine as a method of surveillance and what were the effects of this on the other handmaids at the Red Center?
By Aunt Lydia placing Janine in a position of “trust”, she takes her away from the spotlight of her usual punishment. Because of this Janine is inclined to take the offer and because of that fact the other handmaids begin to avoid her out of fear.
How does the importance of obedience and the means of enforcing obedience in the Handmaid’s tale contribute to the overall theme of the book, and it’s commentary of real life?
Obedience in the handmaid’s tale is used to reinforce the audience's understanding of the inequalities of the gender hierarchy in gilead. The ways in which women must be obedient in gilead are parallels to the ways women are demanded to be obedient in real life. This shows the books theme, which is to reveal the gender inequalities of real life, and warn against a continuation of the patriarchy.
How does Offred’s attempt to steal a flower connect to the overall symbolism of flowers in the handmaid's tale?
In the handmaid’s tale, flowers are symbolic for control over the handmaids. Offred’s attempt to steal a flower is symbolic of her attempt to empower herself.
How does Gilead utilize language as a means to control people?
Language has become much more formal, and tied to religion. (Phrases such as “praise be” are common while “hello” is rare). This stiff language keeps relationships strictly transactional, and kills any friendliness. Gilead also uses bible stories to justify their gender and power hierarchy.