Characters
What is the narrator and main character of the novel
Who is Offred?
The group of women forced to have children for elite couples.
What are Handmaids?
This basic right is forbidden for women in Gilead.
What is reading?
A major theme involving control over women’s bodies.
What is loss of bodily autonomy?
“Nolite te bastardes ______.”
What is carborundorum?
The Commander’s wife who supports Gilead’s values despite suffering from them.
Who is Serena Joy?
Women responsible for cooking and household duties.
Who are Marthas?
The monthly ritual meant to produce children.
What is the Ceremony?
Gilead uses religion to justify this
What is oppression?
The Eye symbol represents this in Gilead.
What is surveillance?
The strict Aunt who enforces rules at the Red Center.
Who is Aunt Lydia?
Women married to Commanders who wear blue
Who are Wives?
The color worn by Handmaids to symbolize fertility.
What is red?
Offred’s memories represent this human need.
What is identity?
Offred’s real name is never revealed to show this.
What is loss of identity?
Offred’s walking partner who secretly resists the regime.
Who is Ofglen?
Women sent to clean toxic waste as punishment.
What are the Colonies?
Handmaids are renamed using “Of-” to show ownership by this person.
Who is the Commander?
The novel shows how controlling words gives power over people.
What is the power of language?
The Wall is used to display this consequence.
What is punishment?
The Commander’s chauffeur who develops a secret relationship with Offred.
Who is Nick?
Gilead’s strict class system that controls every role in society.
What is a social hierarchy (or caste system)?
Public punishments are used to enforce obedience through this emotion.
What is fear?
The idea that small acts can challenge authority.
What is resistance?
Scrabble symbolizes this forbidden freedom.
What is intellectual freedom?