The Handmaid's Tale--Characters
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.
Moira
The "present day" plot is often interrupted by Offred's memories of what?
The time before the war; before the Republic of Gilead; or the "time before"
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.
The Historical Notes at the end of the book
How is the division of women into different classes justified?
Too much labor for any one person, everyone works together at her role.
The wall.
Where executed enemies of the state hung for display
Offred catches who lingering outside her room? She knows he's not supposed to be there. Later he arranges secret meetings for them, mostly to play Scrabble.
The Commander
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.
What color do the Marthas wear?
Green
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.
What was the fate of the Handmaid before our main character? What was the fate of the first Ofglen?
They are the female overseers and teachers in charge of training Handmaids.
The Aunts
What is the code word by which rebels identify themselves?
Mayday
She gave birth, but she doesn't get to name or keep her baby.
Janine (Offwarren)
Why was the Martha shot by 2 young guards?
She was fumbling in her robe for her pass which they thought was a bomb.
What color do Econowives wear?
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.
Why is the glass in the handmaid's room shatterproof and why are they not allowed knives.
So they cannot harm themselves or others; So they cannot escape.
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.
Nick
How did Serena Joy find out about the Commander and Offred's illicit arrangement?
The lipstick on one of her winter coats, and the gaudy feathers she found.
Why does Offred want to steal something?
To assert some sense of self, of ownership; To rebel; To leave something for the next Handmaid.