‘THE HANDMAID’S TALE‘ REVISION – Summaries/Key Quotes
NIGHT (I)
CHAPTER ONE
- First setting we see is the gymnasium being used as a sleeping chamber (part of the
Red Centre) for Handmaids.
- The setting is shockingly like a prison, as Aunts patrol the girls and ‘Angels’, creating
an atmosphere of corruption and repression, guard the old building.
- “There was old sex in the room, and loneliness” p.13
- “Electric cattle prods slung on thongs from their leather belts” p.14
- “We learned to whisper almost without sound” p.14
SHOPPING (II)
CHAPTER TWO
- Offred’s bedroom and parts of the house are described in acute detail, noticing the
way in which the room is ‘suicide-proof’.
- We meet the characters Rita and Cora as Offred is given shopping tokens for food.
Luke and Aunt Lydia are also mentioned for the first time.
- Society, mainly women, is colour coded into groups with specific purposes.
- “Waste not want not. I am not being wasted. Why do I want?” p.17
- “Where I am is not a prison but a privilege, as Aunt Lydia said” p.18
- “…Red: the colour of blood, which defines us” p.18
- “A distorted shadow, a parody of something, some fairy tale figure…”p.19
CHAPTER THREE
- A more detailed interaction between Offred and Serena Joy, as she remembers the
first time they met and the tense atmosphere.
- Description of Serena Joy, as well as the gardens of the household in which she
spends a lot of time, as Offred speculates about the Wives’ lives.
- “Many of the Wives have such gardens, it’s something for them to maintain and
care for”p.22
- “Things haven’t settled down…everyone is unsure about our status” p.23
- “They can hit us, there’s Scriptural precedent” p.26
CHAPTER FOUR
- Nick, a Guardian for the household is mentioned and described for the first time.
- Ofglen and Offred meet to go shopping for food in their pair, with a formal,
scripturally rooted exchange.
- Walking through the streets, Offred described the Guardians on watch, and how
they have mistakenly killed women in suspicion.
- Offred teases them, satisfied with the power she experiences from this small act of
rebellion.
- “Low status: he hasn’t been issued a woman, not even one” p.27
- “Then he winks” “Perhaps it is a test…Perhaps he is an Eye” p.28
- “‘Blessed be the fruit’ she says, the accepted greeting among us” p.29
- “She may be a real believer, a Handmaid in more than name” p.29
- “They are supposed to show respect, because of the nature of our service” p.31
- “I enjoy the power, power of a dog bone, passive but there” p.32
NIGHT (I)
CHAPTER ONE
- First setting we see is the gymnasium being used as a sleeping chamber (part of the
Red Centre) for Handmaids.
- The setting is shockingly like a prison, as Aunts patrol the girls and ‘Angels’, creating
an atmosphere of corruption and repression, guard the old building.
- “There was old sex in the room, and loneliness” p.13
- “Electric cattle prods slung on thongs from their leather belts” p.14
- “We learned to whisper almost without sound” p.14
SHOPPING (II)
CHAPTER TWO
- Offred’s bedroom and parts of the house are described in acute detail, noticing the
way in which the room is ‘suicide-proof’.
- We meet the characters Rita and Cora as Offred is given shopping tokens for food.
Luke and Aunt Lydia are also mentioned for the first time.
- Society, mainly women, is colour coded into groups with specific purposes.
- “Waste not want not. I am not being wasted. Why do I want?” p.17
- “Where I am is not a prison but a privilege, as Aunt Lydia said” p.18
- “…Red: the colour of blood, which defines us” p.18
- “A distorted shadow, a parody of something, some fairy tale figure…”p.19
CHAPTER THREE
- A more detailed interaction between Offred and Serena Joy, as she remembers the
first time they met and the tense atmosphere.
- Description of Serena Joy, as well as the gardens of the household in which she
spends a lot of time, as Offred speculates about the Wives’ lives.
- “Many of the Wives have such gardens, it’s something for them to maintain and
care for”p.22
- “Things haven’t settled down…everyone is unsure about our status” p.23
- “They can hit us, there’s Scriptural precedent” p.26
CHAPTER FOUR
- Nick, a Guardian for the household is mentioned and described for the first time.
- Ofglen and Offred meet to go shopping for food in their pair, with a formal,
scripturally rooted exchange.
- Walking through the streets, Offred described the Guardians on watch, and how
they have mistakenly killed women in suspicion.
- Offred teases them, satisfied with the power she experiences from this small act of
rebellion.
- “Low status: he hasn’t been issued a woman, not even one” p.27
- “Then he winks” “Perhaps it is a test…Perhaps he is an Eye” p.28
- “‘Blessed be the fruit’ she says, the accepted greeting among us” p.29
- “She may be a real believer, a Handmaid in more than name” p.29
- “They are supposed to show respect, because of the nature of our service” p.31
- “I enjoy the power, power of a dog bone, passive but there” p.32
