The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
Questions and Answers
Short Questions
1. How does Offred feel about the Red Center?
2. What is Aunt Lydia's role in the story?
3. Why are Offred's memories important to her?
4. What happens during the Ceremony in Gilead?
5. Why is the Wall significant in Gilead?
6. How do Handmaids interact with each other?
7. What does the Latin phrase "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum" mean to
Offred?
8. How does the Commander's forbidden kiss impact Offred?
9. How does Offred feel about Serena Joy?
10. What is the Salvaging event at Harvard about?
11. How does Offred's relationship with Nick change?
12. What is the Resistance, and how is it revealed in the story?
13. Why are ceremonies and rituals important in Gilead?
14. Describe Offred's internal struggle in Gilead.
15. What is the significance of the hanging ceremony?
16. How does Offred's relationship with the Commander evolve?
17. How does the story create suspense about Offred's fate?
18. What conflicts does Offred face in Gilead?
19. How does Offred feel about her memories of the time before Gilead?
20.What is the overall theme of the story?
Medium Questions
1. How does Offred describe her surroundings in the opening scenes of the novel,
and what does it reveal about the world she lives in?
2. What is the significance of the Handmaids' attire, and how does it contribute to
the oppressive atmosphere in Gilead?
, 3. In the early chapters, what hints are given about the events leading to the
establishment of the Republic of Gilead?
4. How does the novel use flashbacks to provide insights into Offred's life before
Gilead, and what emotions do these memories evoke?
5. Explore the role of women in Gilead as depicted in the early chapters. How are
they treated, and what limitations do they face?
6. Discuss Offred's relationships with other Handmaids, such as Ofglen and Janine,
and how these relationships evolve over the course of the narrative.
7. What is the Ceremony, and how does Offred react to the monthly ritual? What
emotions and conflicts does it bring up for her?
8. How is the theme of rebellion introduced in the early chapters, particularly
through characters like Moira?
9. Explore the role of language and communication in Gilead, considering terms like
"Blessed be the fruit" and "May the Lord open."
10. In the early chapters, how is religion used as a tool of control in Gilead, and how
do characters like Aunt Lydia enforce its principles?
11. Discuss Offred's memories of her daughter and husband. How do these
memories shape her understanding of love and freedom?
12. What is the significance of the Handmaids' lack of individual names, and how does
it contribute to their dehumanization?
13. Analyze the role of the Eyes in Gilead and how they maintain control over the
population through surveillance and fear.
14. Explore Offred's internal struggle with passivity and rebellion. How does she
grapple with her own complacency in the oppressive society?
15. Discuss the symbolism of the Commander's Scrabble games and the forbidden
magazines in Offred's life. How do these elements represent rebellion and
escapism?
16. How does Offred's perception of the Commander change over the course of
the novel? What complexities are introduced in their interactions?
17. Analyze Offred's relationship with Serena Joy. How do power dynamics play out
between them, and what conflicting emotions does Offred experience?
Questions and Answers
Short Questions
1. How does Offred feel about the Red Center?
2. What is Aunt Lydia's role in the story?
3. Why are Offred's memories important to her?
4. What happens during the Ceremony in Gilead?
5. Why is the Wall significant in Gilead?
6. How do Handmaids interact with each other?
7. What does the Latin phrase "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum" mean to
Offred?
8. How does the Commander's forbidden kiss impact Offred?
9. How does Offred feel about Serena Joy?
10. What is the Salvaging event at Harvard about?
11. How does Offred's relationship with Nick change?
12. What is the Resistance, and how is it revealed in the story?
13. Why are ceremonies and rituals important in Gilead?
14. Describe Offred's internal struggle in Gilead.
15. What is the significance of the hanging ceremony?
16. How does Offred's relationship with the Commander evolve?
17. How does the story create suspense about Offred's fate?
18. What conflicts does Offred face in Gilead?
19. How does Offred feel about her memories of the time before Gilead?
20.What is the overall theme of the story?
Medium Questions
1. How does Offred describe her surroundings in the opening scenes of the novel,
and what does it reveal about the world she lives in?
2. What is the significance of the Handmaids' attire, and how does it contribute to
the oppressive atmosphere in Gilead?
, 3. In the early chapters, what hints are given about the events leading to the
establishment of the Republic of Gilead?
4. How does the novel use flashbacks to provide insights into Offred's life before
Gilead, and what emotions do these memories evoke?
5. Explore the role of women in Gilead as depicted in the early chapters. How are
they treated, and what limitations do they face?
6. Discuss Offred's relationships with other Handmaids, such as Ofglen and Janine,
and how these relationships evolve over the course of the narrative.
7. What is the Ceremony, and how does Offred react to the monthly ritual? What
emotions and conflicts does it bring up for her?
8. How is the theme of rebellion introduced in the early chapters, particularly
through characters like Moira?
9. Explore the role of language and communication in Gilead, considering terms like
"Blessed be the fruit" and "May the Lord open."
10. In the early chapters, how is religion used as a tool of control in Gilead, and how
do characters like Aunt Lydia enforce its principles?
11. Discuss Offred's memories of her daughter and husband. How do these
memories shape her understanding of love and freedom?
12. What is the significance of the Handmaids' lack of individual names, and how does
it contribute to their dehumanization?
13. Analyze the role of the Eyes in Gilead and how they maintain control over the
population through surveillance and fear.
14. Explore Offred's internal struggle with passivity and rebellion. How does she
grapple with her own complacency in the oppressive society?
15. Discuss the symbolism of the Commander's Scrabble games and the forbidden
magazines in Offred's life. How do these elements represent rebellion and
escapism?
16. How does Offred's perception of the Commander change over the course of
the novel? What complexities are introduced in their interactions?
17. Analyze Offred's relationship with Serena Joy. How do power dynamics play out
between them, and what conflicting emotions does Offred experience?
