Handmaid's Tale
What happens to a Handmaid if she fails produce a child during her "trial period"?
She is sent to the colonies
How old is Katniss in the beginning?
16
What does the winner of the lottery get?
Stoned to death
What is an offense that leads to a salvaging?
Adultery, murder of a handmaid, rape, gender treachery, abortion, wrong religion
What do we initially learn about the motive for and requirements of the Hunger Games?
The Hunger Games are a yearly event held by the Capitol to keep the districts in check and remind them of the Capitol's power. Each district must send one boy and one girl, known as "tributes", to participate in the Games.
What is the name of the person conducting the lottery?
Mr. Summers
How many chances does a handmaid have to get pregnant?
3 households, 2 years per household
What is a tesserae?
A tesserae is a form of voluntary food rationing, offered by the government of Panem to people in the districts. If a family was struggling for food, children between the ages of 12 and 18 - those eligible to participate in the Hunger Games - could sign up for tesserae. A single tessera was worth one year's supply of grain and oil for a single person, collected on a monthly basis.
Who arrived late to the lottery?
Tessie Hutchinson (Mrs. Hutchinson or Tessie)
How does the Handmaid's tale end? (Before the time skip/epilogue)
A Black van comes to the Commander's house and picks up Offred (Mayday or The Eyes)
What is the reward for producing a healthy baby?
Never being declared an Unwoman, never going to the colonies
What is the name of the country Hunger Games takes place in?
Panem
What is the name of the oldest man in town?
Old Man Warner (or Mr. Warner)
Explain Offred's name.
Offred, the name given to the narrator when she enters the Commander's home, is derived from her condition of belonging to the Commander: The name is made of the two words “of” and “Fred.” All the handmaids' names are made by adding “Of” to the name of their commanders. “
Offred” is also very close to “Offered” — in the sense of “offered as a sacrifice”, which is fitting for handmaidens in general.
What colors do women wear, and what are their roles?
Econowives, Commander's Wives, Marthas, Handmaids
Handmaids - red;
Marthas - green;
Wives - blue;
Econowives - stripes
What is District 11's main export?
Wheat / agriculture
Name at least two of the four themes we discussed (part of the work sheet)
a) Tradition & Rituals
b) Indoctrination
c) Conformity
d) Banality of evil – “I was just following orders”