The novel's theme, the subjugation of women, is exemplified through the Handmaids' o

ppressive lifestyle where their fear of the consequences of rule breaking forces
them into submission. As time passes, they lose their characters and many Handm
aids became similar identities in the fact that they cease thinking. Offred real
izes that there's a lot that doesn't bear thinking about. Thinking can hurt your chan
ces, and I intend to last. (6). This shows how women who are subjected to oppress
ion sees survival as their priority, and thus quietly complies with their new ro
les.
Moira, is the one of the few Handmaids who possesses the will to fight back Gile
ad's oppression. She is caught on her first escape attempt and is severely punishe
d. However, her spirited and rebellious self refuses to succumb. She escapes aga
in to be caught nine months later and ends up working at Jezebel's as a sex servan
t. It is this lifestyle, and her past futile attempts to escape Gilead's extreme o
ppression which causes Moira to lose the fight in her. When telling Offred about
her wretched lifestyle at Jezebel her voice is indifferent, a lack of violation.
(314). Offred notes how her friend is a changed woman: I don't want her to be like
me. Give in, go along, save her skinI want gallantry from her single-handed combat
. (314). The novel's theme, the subjugation of women, is supported by this since it
shows how the severe oppression affects Moira to such a degree that she finally
conforms, and like the other Handmaids, resigns to her duty and fate under Gile
ad's hands.