The Handmaid's Tale--Characters
The Handmaid's Tale--Plot
The Handmaid's Tale--Other Stuff
The Handmaid's Tale--Themes/ideas
The Handmaid's Tale--Rituals/ideas/etc
100
The main character's best friend from the "time before". She escaped from the Red Center but later is captured and sent to Jezebel's.
Who is Moira?
100
The "present day" plot is often interrupted by Offred's memories of this.
What is the time before the war / before the Republic of Gilead, the "time before"?
100
To give us some idea of what happened to Offred after she escaped the Commander's house and to let us know the Republic of Gilead did not last.
What is the purpose of the Historical Notes at the end of the book?
100
How is the division of women into different classes justified?
Too much labor for any one person, everyone works together at her role.
100
The wall.
Where are executed enemies of the state hung for display?
200
Offred catches him lingering outside her room. She knows he's not supposed to be there. Later he arranges secret meetings for them, mostly to play Scrabble.
Who is the Commander?
200
Women's access to money was taken away. Their jobs were taken away and they became entirely dependent on their husbands or male relatives. Second marriages were declared adulterous and thus invalid.
What happened when the people responsible for establishing The Republic of Gilead began to take over?
200
Green.
What color do the Marthas wear?
200
How does the division of women into different classes support the regime?
The resources are limited and the women are too busy trying to get what little they can for themselves, and too busy being jealous of the others, to think of banding together.
200
Death

What was the fate of the Handmaid before our main character? What was the fate of the first Ofglen?

300
They are the female overseers and teachers in charge of training Handmaids.
Who are the Aunts?
300
Walks to the grocery store.
What one regular outside activity is Offred (and other handmaids) allowed?
300
Mayday.
What is the code word by which rebels identify themselves?
300
Why are the shop signs pictures?
Women are not allowed to read.
300
What is one way the status difference between wives and handmaids is shown in the birthing ritual?
Wives get better food, the wife is given the child immediately after it's born, she's put to bed with it as though she just gave birth, she names it. She sits on the birthing stool with the handmaid but above her; this is described as a "throne".
400
She gave birth, but she doesn't get to name or keep her baby.
Who is Janine (Offwarren)?
400
An execution in which the victim is literally torn apart by a mob, in the case we see in the book, a mob of Handmaids.
What is a "particicution"?
400

To keep her (or any other Handmaid) from harming themselves or others. It is a sign of their autonomy being kept from them.

Why is Offred not given a knife for her meals? Why is the glass in her room shatterproof? Why has the overhead light fixture in her room been removed?

400

Why does Offred feel she can ask the Commander for some lotion?

Offred recognizes that he needs something from her, and from that she acquires power, albeit a small amount. With this power, she can engage in an exchange.

400

What "sort" of women are at Jezebel's?

Women who could not assimilate to the narrow, subservient role the new regime forced on them.

500
He also works in the Commander's household. He helps the Commander arrange meetings with Offred and later sleeps with her at Serena Joy's suggestion. He helps Offred escape, thus showing his connection to the rebels.
Who is Nick?
500
The lipstick on one of her winter coats, and the gaudy feathers she found.
How did Serena Joy find out about the Commander and Offred's illicit arrangement?
500

To assert some sense of self, of ownership. To rebel. To leave something for the next Handmaid.

Why does Offred want to steal something?

500
How are the Handmaids supposed to speak with one another on their shopping trips? Why does the regime care how they talk?
Everything is very formulaic. This is an element of control.
500
A picture of her daughter.
What does Serena Joy offer Offred in exchange for her willingness to conceive a baby by unofficial means?
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