Themes
Summary
Characters
Quotes
Offred
100

How does the society of Gilead view women?

Women are inferior and only valued for their physical abilities to become pregnant.

100

Offred is a (blank) in the Republic of Gilead.

Handmaid

100

Who is the narrator and protagonist of the story?

Offred

100

'I want to see as little of you as possible, she said. I expect you to feel the same way about me.'

Serena Joy

100

What does Offred value most?

Sanity

200

Why do all the shops in Gilead have pictures as titles instead of words?

They symbolize women not being able to read.

200

What does Rita and Offred envy of each other?

Offred's daily walks and Rita's conversations and gossiping

200

Who is the head of the house hold in which Offred lives?

The commander

200

"We lived, as usual, by ignoring. Ignoring isn't the same as ignorance, you have to work at it."

Offred

200

Why does Offred feel jealousy and guilt towards Serena Joy?

She realizes that she is now the Commander's mistress despite the absence of any covert sexual activity between them

300

How does Gilead use religion to justify their changes to society?

Frequent use of the Bible, and reference to the purchase of indulgences.

300

What was the weapon that Moira used to escape from the Red Center?

A pointed lever from inside the toilet

300

Offred's secret lover and the Commander's driver.

Nick

300

"It was my fault," "It was my own fault." I led them on. I deserved the pain."

Janine

300

The smell that reminds Offred of her former life as a mother

Yeast/freshly baked bread

400

What is the significance of the women wearing different colored clothing?

Gilead uses colored clothing to show womens' social status.

400

What happens to Moira?

She spends some time at the Red Center with Offred, then she was sent to a brothel.

400

(Blank) is an unhappy ex-gospel singer and at the top the female social ladder.

Serena Joy

400

"I thought it might be the end, for me. Or back to the Center and the attentions of Aunt Lydia and her steel cable."

Moira

400

How does Offred tell the time of the day and night during the Novel?

The moon's menstrual periods

500

Why were relationships based off of love forbidden?

Because Gilead focused on the cut and dry definition of human reproduction

500

What is the place where the handmaids are brainwashed? Who works there?

Red Center/ the Aunts

500

Offred's good friend from the old times. Also, a prostitute.

Moira

500

'Love, don't let me catch you girls at it. Love is not the point.'

Aunt Lydia

500

What are the two games that Offred plays with the commander?

Scrabble and Chinese Checkers