The Handmaids Tale - Margaret Atwood
"The Handmaid's Tale" is a dystopian novel written by Margaret Atwood, first published in
1985. The story is set in the near-future, in a theocratic and totalitarian society known as
the Republic of Gilead, which has replaced the United States. The novel is a commentary on
gender politics, religious extremism, and the consequences of authoritarianism.
The story is narrated by a woman named Offred, who is one of the Handmaids in Gilead. In
this society, fertility has become a rare and highly valued commodity due to widespread
infertility. The Handmaids are women who are forcibly assigned to bear children for the
ruling class. They are stripped of their rights and identities, forced to wear red dresses
and white bonnets, and subjected to a strict, oppressive regime.
Offred reflects on her life before the rise of Gilead, when she had a husband and a
daughter, and her gradual descent into her current life as a Handmaid. She lives under
constant surveillance and fear, as the regime punishes disobedience with brutal
consequences, including execution.
The novel explores themes of power, control, and the subjugation of women's rights. It also
delves into the role of religion in justifying and maintaining authoritarian regimes.
Offred's narrative is a harrowing account of her struggle to survive in a world where she
has been reduced to her reproductive function and denied basic human rights.
"The Handmaid's Tale" is a powerful and thought-provoking work that has become a classic
in feminist literature. It has been adapted into various forms, including a popular
television series, which further explores the themes and characters of the novel. The story is
a chilling reminder of the potential consequences of extreme ideologies and the importance
of defending individual liberties and human rights.
Character list:
a. Offred (June)
b. The Commander
c. Serena Joy
d. Moira
e. Ofglen
f. Aunt Lydia
g. Nick
h. Luke
i. Janine
,Offred (June): The novel's protagonist and narrator, Offred is a complex character who was
once a free woman with a loving husband and daughter. She is reduced to the role of a
Handmaid in Gilead, forced to bear children for the ruling class. Her internal monologue and
memories provide insight into the world before Gilead's rise and the struggles she faces in this
new society.
Moira: Moira is Offred's best friend from before Gilead's rise. She is a strong-willed and
rebellious character who refuses to conform to the role of a Handmaid. Her determination to
escape Gilead and her acts of defiance are sources of inspiration for Offred.
Ofglen: Ofglen is a fellow Handmaid whom Offred interacts with. There are two different
Ofglens in the novel, and their real names are never revealed. They both display varying levels of
resistance against the regime, and their relationships with Offred evolve over time.
Janine (Ofwarren): Janine is a fellow Handmaid who becomes pregnant, which causes tensions
and complicated dynamics among the Handmaids. She also struggles with the trauma of her
past life and her role in Gilead.
Nick: Nick is the Commander's driver, and his character is enigmatic. He plays a significant role
in Offred's life as they develop a forbidden romantic relationship, but his true motivations and
allegiances are often unclear.
Luke: Luke is Offred's husband from her life before Gilead. He is separated from Offred when
the regime takes over, and she constantly wonders about his fate, making him a central figure
in her memories and hopes.
The Commander: The Commander is a high-ranking official in Gilead and is assigned Offred as a
Handmaid. He is a powerful figure in Gilead's hierarchy but also plays a role in the subversion
of the regime through his secret interactions with Offred.
Serena Joy: Serena Joy is the Commander's wife, a former religious activist and author. She is
discontented with her role in Gilead and longs for the past when she had a more public
platform for her conservative beliefs. Her complex relationship with Offred is marked by
jealousy and mistrust.
Aunt Lydia: Aunt Lydia is a high-ranking woman in Gilead responsible for training and
overseeing the Handmaids. She is a zealous supporter of the regime, and her character is a
symbol of the collaboration of some women in maintaining the oppressive system.
Alma: Alma is a Handmaid and a friend of Offred and Moira. She is involved in various black-
market activities, helping to provide the Handmaids with contraband and information.
, Chapter 1
The story kicks off with Offred, the narrator, describing the gym where she now sleeps. The
place carries a heavy feeling of nostalgia and loss, like echoes of past high school dances.
Offred, along with other women, rests on military cots while Aunts Sara and Elizabeth
watch over with cattle prods. This highlights how memories and old emotions persist in the
new strict world. Offred doesn't immediately explain everything, leaving questions. The
society is structured with hierarchy and strict gender roles. The guards, known as the
Angels, have guns but can't enter. Offred, despite restrictions, wishes to negotiate with
them using her body. The women, forbidden to speak, find subtle ways to connect, sharing
names and memories in quiet rebellion.
Chapter 2
Offred describes her new bedroom, which has a traditional and safe design, with the
notable feature of a covered hole in the ceiling that used to hold a chandelier, resembling
an empty eye socket. She recalls Aunt Lydia's advice to view her life as if in the army.
Flowers are allowed, but the iris print lacks glass to prevent self-harm. Despite
restrictions, Offred appreciates sunlight and being alive. Her room, like the gym, blends
tradition with a rebel-proof design. Offred, clad in a red uniform, moves through the house,
facing limitations. The scene reveals discord among women, hindering unity against Gilead.
Despite longing for social connection, Offred hesitates to change her situation.
Chapter 3
Offred strolls through the garden en route to the shops, observing blooming red tulips that
seem like healing wounds. The Commander's Wife, Serena Joy, tends to the garden with the
help of Guardian Nick. Despite arthritis in her foot, Serena Joy engages in sewing and
knitting, creating intricate scarves for Angels at war. Offred imagines the scarves may go
unused, unraveling into yarn again. Serena Joy's focus on gardening and crafting
represents traditional feminine activities linked to fertility, contrasting with Gilead's
sterile environment. In a flashback, Offred recalls her arrival, where Serena Joy, donned in
blue Commander's Wife robes, set boundaries, disappointing Offred's desire for familial
connection. Despite Serena Joy's rebellious act of smoking, Offred discovers her earlier
identity as a religious singer on a TV program.
Chapter 4
After the flashback, Offred continues her shopping trip, likening the garden path to a hair
part and connecting worms to fertility. Nick, the Guardian assigned to the Commander,
polishes the fancy car with a touch of irreverence, revealing his low rank. Offred, attuned
to signs of rebellion and fertility, notices rule-breaking. Nick's wink unnerves her in the
atmosphere of paranoia Gilead has created. Meeting Ofglen, they exchange greetings but
operate with suspicion, as Offred imagines her as a faithful Handmaid. Walking together,
Ofglen shares news of captured rebel Baptists, highlighting Gilead's rigid control. Despite
casual rule-breaking, Offred's paranoia seems justified. The Guardians salute the
Handmaids, and Offred fantasizes about tempting them with her body, seeking a sense of
power. Despite her rebellious thoughts, Offred lacks empathy and aims to inflict pain, not
join a collective rebellion.
Chapter 5
Offred and Ofglen proceed on their shopping walk, passing well-maintained but childless
neighborhoods in the heart of Gilead, once occupied by professors from the now-closed
Harvard University. Offred reminisces about walking there with Luke, dreaming of having
children and a spacious home. Reflecting on the past, she notes the contrast between the
romanticized former life and the present reality. Memories arise of the time before women
were protected, recalling constant precautions with men and the freedom to choose clothes.
Aunt Lydia defined the current situation as "Freedom from" rather than "Freedom to,"
"The Handmaid's Tale" is a dystopian novel written by Margaret Atwood, first published in
1985. The story is set in the near-future, in a theocratic and totalitarian society known as
the Republic of Gilead, which has replaced the United States. The novel is a commentary on
gender politics, religious extremism, and the consequences of authoritarianism.
The story is narrated by a woman named Offred, who is one of the Handmaids in Gilead. In
this society, fertility has become a rare and highly valued commodity due to widespread
infertility. The Handmaids are women who are forcibly assigned to bear children for the
ruling class. They are stripped of their rights and identities, forced to wear red dresses
and white bonnets, and subjected to a strict, oppressive regime.
Offred reflects on her life before the rise of Gilead, when she had a husband and a
daughter, and her gradual descent into her current life as a Handmaid. She lives under
constant surveillance and fear, as the regime punishes disobedience with brutal
consequences, including execution.
The novel explores themes of power, control, and the subjugation of women's rights. It also
delves into the role of religion in justifying and maintaining authoritarian regimes.
Offred's narrative is a harrowing account of her struggle to survive in a world where she
has been reduced to her reproductive function and denied basic human rights.
"The Handmaid's Tale" is a powerful and thought-provoking work that has become a classic
in feminist literature. It has been adapted into various forms, including a popular
television series, which further explores the themes and characters of the novel. The story is
a chilling reminder of the potential consequences of extreme ideologies and the importance
of defending individual liberties and human rights.
Character list:
a. Offred (June)
b. The Commander
c. Serena Joy
d. Moira
e. Ofglen
f. Aunt Lydia
g. Nick
h. Luke
i. Janine
,Offred (June): The novel's protagonist and narrator, Offred is a complex character who was
once a free woman with a loving husband and daughter. She is reduced to the role of a
Handmaid in Gilead, forced to bear children for the ruling class. Her internal monologue and
memories provide insight into the world before Gilead's rise and the struggles she faces in this
new society.
Moira: Moira is Offred's best friend from before Gilead's rise. She is a strong-willed and
rebellious character who refuses to conform to the role of a Handmaid. Her determination to
escape Gilead and her acts of defiance are sources of inspiration for Offred.
Ofglen: Ofglen is a fellow Handmaid whom Offred interacts with. There are two different
Ofglens in the novel, and their real names are never revealed. They both display varying levels of
resistance against the regime, and their relationships with Offred evolve over time.
Janine (Ofwarren): Janine is a fellow Handmaid who becomes pregnant, which causes tensions
and complicated dynamics among the Handmaids. She also struggles with the trauma of her
past life and her role in Gilead.
Nick: Nick is the Commander's driver, and his character is enigmatic. He plays a significant role
in Offred's life as they develop a forbidden romantic relationship, but his true motivations and
allegiances are often unclear.
Luke: Luke is Offred's husband from her life before Gilead. He is separated from Offred when
the regime takes over, and she constantly wonders about his fate, making him a central figure
in her memories and hopes.
The Commander: The Commander is a high-ranking official in Gilead and is assigned Offred as a
Handmaid. He is a powerful figure in Gilead's hierarchy but also plays a role in the subversion
of the regime through his secret interactions with Offred.
Serena Joy: Serena Joy is the Commander's wife, a former religious activist and author. She is
discontented with her role in Gilead and longs for the past when she had a more public
platform for her conservative beliefs. Her complex relationship with Offred is marked by
jealousy and mistrust.
Aunt Lydia: Aunt Lydia is a high-ranking woman in Gilead responsible for training and
overseeing the Handmaids. She is a zealous supporter of the regime, and her character is a
symbol of the collaboration of some women in maintaining the oppressive system.
Alma: Alma is a Handmaid and a friend of Offred and Moira. She is involved in various black-
market activities, helping to provide the Handmaids with contraband and information.
, Chapter 1
The story kicks off with Offred, the narrator, describing the gym where she now sleeps. The
place carries a heavy feeling of nostalgia and loss, like echoes of past high school dances.
Offred, along with other women, rests on military cots while Aunts Sara and Elizabeth
watch over with cattle prods. This highlights how memories and old emotions persist in the
new strict world. Offred doesn't immediately explain everything, leaving questions. The
society is structured with hierarchy and strict gender roles. The guards, known as the
Angels, have guns but can't enter. Offred, despite restrictions, wishes to negotiate with
them using her body. The women, forbidden to speak, find subtle ways to connect, sharing
names and memories in quiet rebellion.
Chapter 2
Offred describes her new bedroom, which has a traditional and safe design, with the
notable feature of a covered hole in the ceiling that used to hold a chandelier, resembling
an empty eye socket. She recalls Aunt Lydia's advice to view her life as if in the army.
Flowers are allowed, but the iris print lacks glass to prevent self-harm. Despite
restrictions, Offred appreciates sunlight and being alive. Her room, like the gym, blends
tradition with a rebel-proof design. Offred, clad in a red uniform, moves through the house,
facing limitations. The scene reveals discord among women, hindering unity against Gilead.
Despite longing for social connection, Offred hesitates to change her situation.
Chapter 3
Offred strolls through the garden en route to the shops, observing blooming red tulips that
seem like healing wounds. The Commander's Wife, Serena Joy, tends to the garden with the
help of Guardian Nick. Despite arthritis in her foot, Serena Joy engages in sewing and
knitting, creating intricate scarves for Angels at war. Offred imagines the scarves may go
unused, unraveling into yarn again. Serena Joy's focus on gardening and crafting
represents traditional feminine activities linked to fertility, contrasting with Gilead's
sterile environment. In a flashback, Offred recalls her arrival, where Serena Joy, donned in
blue Commander's Wife robes, set boundaries, disappointing Offred's desire for familial
connection. Despite Serena Joy's rebellious act of smoking, Offred discovers her earlier
identity as a religious singer on a TV program.
Chapter 4
After the flashback, Offred continues her shopping trip, likening the garden path to a hair
part and connecting worms to fertility. Nick, the Guardian assigned to the Commander,
polishes the fancy car with a touch of irreverence, revealing his low rank. Offred, attuned
to signs of rebellion and fertility, notices rule-breaking. Nick's wink unnerves her in the
atmosphere of paranoia Gilead has created. Meeting Ofglen, they exchange greetings but
operate with suspicion, as Offred imagines her as a faithful Handmaid. Walking together,
Ofglen shares news of captured rebel Baptists, highlighting Gilead's rigid control. Despite
casual rule-breaking, Offred's paranoia seems justified. The Guardians salute the
Handmaids, and Offred fantasizes about tempting them with her body, seeking a sense of
power. Despite her rebellious thoughts, Offred lacks empathy and aims to inflict pain, not
join a collective rebellion.
Chapter 5
Offred and Ofglen proceed on their shopping walk, passing well-maintained but childless
neighborhoods in the heart of Gilead, once occupied by professors from the now-closed
Harvard University. Offred reminisces about walking there with Luke, dreaming of having
children and a spacious home. Reflecting on the past, she notes the contrast between the
romanticized former life and the present reality. Memories arise of the time before women
were protected, recalling constant precautions with men and the freedom to choose clothes.
Aunt Lydia defined the current situation as "Freedom from" rather than "Freedom to,"
