Chapter one

This chapter begins with Offred, whose name is not disclosed at first, narrating the state of the old
gymnasiums that they are forced to sleep in, as well as describing a sense of loss which she, and
other women feel. (Williamson, 2017). They are given some army cots which they sleep on under the
watchful eye of Aunt Elizabeth, and Aunt Sara. According to the narrator, Aunt Sara, and Elizabeth
are not allowed to have guns, but find other ways to ensure order by using cattle prods. The guards
outside, Angels, are allowed to have guns, but they cannot enter the gymnasium. The women can
have two walks per day for exercise and mental stimulation. Offred narrates that the women have a
longing to speak to the guards, so that they can attempt to use their bodies, to make a favourable
deal with the guards; however, the guard hardly sees them. At night, the women whisper to each
other, exchanging their names and thoughts where they are able to exchange names.

Throughout this chapter, the importance of gender roles, as well as a hierarchy, is seen. The women
are valued only for their reproductive roles with those that are unable to conceive being forced to
carry out household chores. The hierarchy is seen in the manner that leadership is coordinated, and
how power is distributed. As far as Offred and her peers are concerned, they recognize that their
body has power, and thus long to have an opportunity to use it.

Chapter 2

The second chapter begins with a change of scene, where Offred is now living in a different room
which is furnished, and decorated in a feminine style (Williamson, 2017). One of the distinguishing
characteristics of this room is that it has a plastered-over hole, which constantly makes her think of
an empty eye socket. The door does not close completely, and the windows do not open completely.
She belongs to a handmaid group, wearing red except for a white wing which covers their face. The
household comprises of the handmaids and the household servants who wear a different uniform
with the two groups not supposed to form any relationship between each other. Offred overhears a
conversation between Cora, and Rita; learning that Rita does not approve of Offred’s new position.
She also listens to them gossiping over some of the events that experienced handmaids had gone
through and wishes she could talk to them. However, as it is forbidden for her to build a relationship
with them, she enters the kitchen, and picks tokens which have images of the items that she is
supposed to buy.

Through the description given by Offred of the room, it is made in such a way that it snuffs out any
rebellious activity. The window cannot open fully, nor the door close completely, and the prints of
the iris which are in the room are not made of glass to ensure that she does not harm herself. The
room is similar to a prison cell prison; albeit more attractive.

Chapter 3

On her way to the shops, she passes through the Commander’s wife’s garden, and she begins to
think about a garden she had before Gilead, and the Commander’s wife. Offred, notes that the
Commander’s wife is fond of knitting, and she is particularly skilled at it (Williamson, 2017). All the
wives are assigned the task of knitting for the Angels that are stationed at the frontline. She recalls
the first time that she came to the Commander’s house after a previous couple had dropped her.
When she arrived, Serena told her to ensure that she should stay out of sight, as well as to avoid
making any trouble. She reminded her that the Commander was her husband and that relationship
was a permanent one. As she was talking to Offred, she was also smoking, something that the
handmaids were forbidden to do, as well as drinking alcohol or coffee. It is at this moment when
Offred recognizes that the Commander’s wife was once a lead soprano from the “Growing Souls’
Gospel Hour”. This was a program which Offred used to watch when she was still a young child.

Serena’s hobbies are closely associated with femininity; knitting as well as gardening. In addition to
this, these two are traditionally associated with fertility.

Chapter 4

The chapter begins with Offred leaving the house and describes vividly everything that she
experiences. Before reaching the gate, she notices Nick, a man servant in the for the home, washing
a black car while smoking a cigarette. The chapter describes Nick as an individual of low social class
by pointing out that he lives in a garage. As Offred walks towards the gate, there is an awkward
moment between the two, making Offred wonder about what happens. Nick whistles and winks at
her, something that is perceived as a taboo in the society, and something that could land him in
serious trouble. Offred instantly thinks that it is some form of test, and that Nick was an Eye, a spy for
the powers that be (Atwood, 1985). Soon after, she meets Ofglen, and they proceed to town,
discussing the war, and the impact of the security measures set in place. They also talk of how the
guardians are starved of sex, and how becoming an Angel could enable them to get a handmaid of
their own.

The chapter articulately highlights the importance of morals in society, and how strict the laws of
Gilead are, this can be seen because the mere act of Nick’s whistling and winking is a punishable
crime.

Chapter 5

The chapter beings with an explicit description of the town, and the changes that have happened
since Offred was a child. When the Republic of Gilead first came to be, many saw it as a time where
women’s rights were almost better than before. In the pre-Gilead years, women’s rights were not
considered, and there was an inherent difference between how men and women lived their lives.
Women had to lock their doors at night, forced to endure and ignore catcalls and whenever they
went out run the risk of being groped in the street. Times changed, and in the Republic of Gilead,
women had freedom from this kind of behavior; something which Aunt Lydia told Offred never to
take it for granted. Offred reminisces about her life, and family in the pre-Gilead days; how she often
always argued with her husband Luke, arguments ranging from the overuse of plastic bags to and the
safety of their child. After shopping, Offred, and Ofglen meet a group of Japanese tourists, wearing
clothes that exposed their legs and heels, with an interpreter. They refuse to take photos because
handmaids are not allowed to appear immodest.

The chapter captures the lives of women before and after the formation of the Republic of Gilead,
showing the different changes in ‘freedom’.
Chapter 6

The chapter begins by Ofglen suggesting they go home via a different, longer route instead of going
straight home. It is at this moment that Ofglen suggests that they should pass by an old church.
Through the journey, Offred describes the surrounding football stadium, the boathouse, and ancient
boathouse among many others echoes of their former lives. Across from the church, there is an area
where individuals were executed, executed to serve as an example to the rest of the individuals in
the Republic of Gilead (Atwood, 1985). Offred views the six hanging bodies with a mixture of
astonishment and relief as she doesn’t see her husband there, before realizing that the victims all
seem to be doctors. The corpses had bags covering their heads, and a sign hanging around their
necks, a sign adorned with pictures of fetuses. This implies that the victims were doctors, put to
death for performing abortions. While staring at the bodies, Offred remembers the words of Aunt
Lydia informing her that soon their life will become normal again.

Essentially, the chapter captures the preciousness of life, and the application of the ex post facto law.
Society was slowly transforming, and the welfare of women along with the sanctity of the community
was a major element upheld by the Gilead Republic.

Chapter 7

Offred opens the chapter thinking that the night is hers to do whatever she wants, as long as she
does not disturb anyone and as such she decides to explore her memories, a freedom that the
republic cannot touch. She thinks of a time before this all started, lying on her bed with her friend
Moira. Moira suggests that they go out for a beer but Offred can’t because she has assignments that
are due. She then thinks of an older memory, a date with her mother in a park in which she
remembers the presence of other women setting some books on fire as a group of onlookers
cheered. Offred is handed a magazine to add to the fire and before she does, she sees that it is
pornography.

The burning of books in a public place has conflicting effects on the development of children, and
younger generations as a whole. First, the burning of the books that contain pornographic and
degrading pictures of women shows that society is fighting against indecent behavior.

Chapter 8

Offred and Olfgen return from the shops and see three new bodies, executed at the Wall. There is a
priest and two other men, executed for being homosexuals. As they walk away, they talk about the
balmy weather and reminisce about days gone by. Later on in their journey, they meet econowives
participating in a funeral procession, one of them holding a dead fetus inside a jar. While Offred and
Ofglen try and show compassion to the women, they are met with rude gestures, the econowives
disliking the handmaids inherently. After parting ways with Ofglen, she once again comes across Nick,
once again washing the Commanders car, who tries to talk to her, but she remembers that Aunt
Lydia told her that men were created differently, and she is not supposed to talk to them. She also
sees Serena Joy sitting in the garden and remembers how Serena used to give big speeches,
advocating that a woman’s place is in the home. Now Serena Joy is effectively retired at home, but
doesn’t look better for it, her face sunken and sallow. She tries to make eye contact and emphasize
with the Commanders wife, but Serena does not even look her direction. At home she sees the
Commander standing next to her room and feels afraid that he is breaking the norm. It is something
that he has never done before.

When the econowives in the funeral procession show hatred to Offred and Ofglen, it shows that the
three women are not happy with their situation (as econowives) and are implicitly blaming other
well-off women for it.

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine begins with Offred remembering the times she used to meet Luke in hotel rooms when
they first met, having an affair. She thinks about how fidgety and nervous she was, but also about the
freedom, anonymity and independence that she felt when staying in a hotel. At that moment, she
realizes that they were truly happy, a memory incomparable with the current situation. She also
remembers a more recent memory, exploring the room when she first arrived, searching for clues
about the previous inhabitant. While assessing the room, she happens to see stains on the mattress,
and concludes that they are stains from lovemaking (Atwood, 1985). Offred also finds a phrase,
written in Latin, artistically inscribed on the closet’s floor, and although she cannot read what it says,
she feels happy, feeling that the previous handmaid wrote it for her. She holds various notions of the
woman who stayed, and attempts to ask Rita about her, but Rita is very reluctant to share such
information with her.

The entire chapter covers the concept of polygamy, and this is the reason Offred scrutinizes the room
to have an idea of the female occupant.

Chapter 10

The excerpt begins with Offred singing Amazing Grace, a song now banned due to its message of
freedom. We learn that this and other songs like this have been outlawed and as a result of this there
is very little music in the Commanders home. The little music that is present comes from Rita’s quiet
humming or Serena illegally playing old recordings of herself. Offred notes that the weather is
improving, and it is coming to the warmer portion of the year and it is during this period that
handmaids are allowed to wear their sunny dresses. At this point, we are introduced to Offred’s
thoughts on how Aunt Lydia would talk about the problems which women encountered before
Gilead, and how wearing light summer dresses would bring certain sexual problems on themselves –
the women being at fault for what they were wearing, the men almost blameless (Atwood, 1985).
Offred also remembers a time where Moira threw an ‘underwhore’ party with the intent of selling
lingerie. She also thinks about how she and society in general ignored the signs that led to Gilead’s
inception, reading papers with stories of women raped, and murdered but not paying them much
attention, it is easy to ignore problems when they are happening to other people. The chapter ends
with Offred sitting at the window watching the Commander drive away realizing that she neither
loves nor hates him.

The chapter seeks to compare Offred’s current situation with her old life. While before women had a
certain freedom to wear what they wanted and to act however they wanted, shown by Moira
organizing an ‘Underwhore’ party.
Chapter 11

The section starts with Offred sharing information about the monthly doctor’s appointment, an
appointment to which she is escorted by a Guardian. The doctor is inappropriate during the exam,
fondling her breasts before announcing that she is healthy. The doctor also shares some astonishing
news, that most of the Commanders are sterile. This news shocks Offred, as Gilead’s laws dictate that
only a woman can have reproductive issues (Atwood, 1985). Also, claiming a man was sterile was
illegal, and punishable. The doctor then makes his intensions clear, touching Offred sexually and
offering to ‘help’ her conceive a child. Offred refuses but is frightened that the doctor may falsify the
report, and this will make her be sent to the colony of ‘Unwomen.’

The chapter portrays the plight of women in Gilead, and the situations they have to undergo to
maintain societies norms. The predatory nature of the doctor is seen in this case, and he goes on to
point out that other women have yielded to him.

Chapter 12

The chapter is based around one of Offred’s bathing days, again something that is monitored and
controlled with Cora waiting for her at the door. There is no mirror, razor blade, lock of on the door,
or anything that could be used to kill herself with. She points out that she is ashamed of her
nakedness and remains very uneasy throughout the entire process (Atwood, 1985). Still, in the
bathtub, she conjures up a memory of her daughter, specifically a time when her child was almost
taken in a supermarket. When the child was 5, she was taken by the Gilead authorities and Offred
has not seen her since, preferring to think of her as being dead already as the faint glimmer of hope
is too painful to comprehend. This makes her remember Aunt Lydia’s words that woman should learn
to cultivate poverty of the spirit. Cora soon calls her impatiently out of the bath to have dinner.
Handmaids are not allowed to keep food, but she goes ahead to hide a piece of butter in her shoe.

The chapter shares the notion of emotional neglect which is propelled by men in society. The
statement implies that men set up rules and regulations which bring sorrow, and emptiness in the
life of women.

Chapter 13

Offred is bored after dinner and tries to find something that could keep her occupied, and at that
moment she remembers paintings of women in harem pants. Her initial thought about the paintings
was that they were used to showcase eroticism, but at that moment she realizes that they depicted
boredom in women, a boredom she can easily emphasize with. Soon after, she began thinking of the
events which took place in the Red Center where she went with Moira. The gathering was made up
of women who had to share and admit something about their past. Janine tells a horrific story of
being gang-raped whilst only fourteen years old, but instead of showing empathy, the other women
blamed and laughed at her.

The significant message from the chapter is that women are observed as their own enemies. This
means that they are unable to support the interests of each other, and this is the reason men are still
dominating them.
Chapter 14

At the beginning of this chapter, a bell has summoned the members of the household, including the
Commander, Serena, Offred, Nick, Cora, and Rita, for a household ceremony. Offred is the first to
enter the sitting room where the Ceremony will be held, she describes the room as being well
furnished, and decorated with works of art, an indication of the affluence, and taste of the owners.
The two ladies, Cora, and Rita arrive a bit later because they had to take care of some chores. Nick
also comes in, and stands extremely close to Offred, discretely tapping Offred’s foot from time to
time, something that confuses and frightens Offred with paranoia taking hold.

As soon as Serena comes in they begin watching the news. It is a custom that Serena calls them, and
so makes them watch news even though they have little interest in it. National matters such as the
arrest of two smugglers are broadcasted on the television screen. Offred again replays a memory in
her head, when, in her former life, Luke, Offred and their child pack the car under the pretenses of
going for a picnic whilst carrying official documents in an attempt to cross the border into Canada.

Chapter 15

The commander arrives home and takes a bible from a locked box before sitting down on his chair, a
chair always reserved for him. The Commander then begins to read aloud a bible passage to his
household, something that happens regularly. Soon after the commander finishes reading the bible,
Serena begins to cry. It is her tendency to cry every evening before the ceremony. She tries to control
herself and uphold her dignity before the household, but she is unable. The chapter ends with a joint
prayer where the commander calls upon everyone to pray. Offred does not know exactly what to say
to God, thus her prayer is the small Latin passage that she had found in her room, a message written
by the previous handmaid, words that she still cannot understand.

In the chapter, it is indicated that Serena Joy is used to crying in the evening after the bible passage
has been read aloud in the household ceremony. This could imply that there is something about the
ceremony that awakens her emotions, and deeply upsets her.

Chapter 16

The chapter begins by the author affirming that the procreating ceremony continues, and the
audience is immediately taken to the bedroom where Serena, Offred, and the Commander are. The
author provides a detailed analysis of the situation and points out that both the Commander and
Offred are fully dressed apart from their underwear. Offred lies between Serena’s thighs, and the
commander begins to have sex with her, an act that she cannot fully comprehend as rape as it is her
duty. She believes he is also simply doing his duty and thus she tries to take her mind off the
situation. The commander has sex with Offred briefly, then closes his zip, and leaves the room
(Atwood, 1985). There is no kissing or emotion shown in the ceremony, simply done for the aim of
conceiving a child. Soon after the commander leaves the room, Serena orders Offred out of the
room, and fails to adhere to the ten-minute resting period which enhances the chances of
conception.

The chapter correctly showcases that romance is not something of significance in Gilead.
Chapter 17

The chapter begins when Offred arrives in her room after the ceremony, where she removes her
clothes, and puts on her night gown. She looks for the piece of butter which she initially hid after
dinner and finds it half-melted due to being in her shoe. She uses the butter to oil her face and body,
because lotions, and creams were not allowed. As a result of the events that happened, she is unable
to sleep, and thus she opts to go downstairs to take a daffodil which she planned to press it under
the mattress for the next handmaid in the room. While in the living room she senses the presence of
another person, and she finds out its Nick. They are both at fault because none of them is allowed to
be downstairs (Atwood, 1985). Without speaking, they kiss, and suddenly she is overcome with an
urge to have sex with him, but thoughts of Luke come rushing through her mind. In addition, she
understands that having sex is dangerous. Thus, they separate, and Nick tells her that the
commander wants to see her in his office tomorrow.

From the analysis of the chapter, although romance doesn’t exist in Gilead, there is still sexual
attraction. From all previous depictions of Nick, Offred never found him attractive, but at that time
she felt so attracted and attached to him that she felt like having sex with him.

Chapter 18

Offred returns to the room still puzzled and trembling due to the situation which that she had just
encountered. She is very disturbed and at the same time needs someone urgently to satisfy her
desires. She starts thinking of Luke, and when she was pregnant, and how they both felt when they
were together. In the midst of her thoughts, she remembers how she misses a lot of people, most of
whom could be dead, imprisoned or missing. Her sexual desire is still there, seen as she remembers
how Luke would make love to her while she was pregnant. Later on, however she begins to imagine
that maybe he is dead, or perhaps in prison somewhere, convicted of something which he refuses to
share. On the other hand, she imagines that he was able to cross the border, and she might get a
message from him in the most unexpected way. She chooses to think of these scenarios
simultaneously so that at the end she is not astonished by any situation.

Chapter 19

The chapter captures Offred’s dreams. She has various dreams of things that would normally make
her happy, but that joy is cut short with the self-realization that she is indeed dreaming. For instance,
she dreams about being reunited her daughter, but she is later engulfed with sorrow knowing that it
is not true. She wakes feeling dazed, wondering if she had been drugged, noticing small, odd things
like during breakfast with thoughts of how a boiled egg can be beautiful in sunlight. There is an
interruption, and Offred has to be taken to the birth of Ofwarren’s child. Along the way, she wonders
if she will give birth to an Unbaby. There are various factors such as pollution which cause
deformities in children. When the Birthmobile arrives at Ofwarren’s house, Offred speculates that
the wives and birthmaids perceive the handmaids as nothing more than objects, unclean objects. The
chapter concludes with a description of Janine’s condition after birth, a birth which has to be
undertaken with no painkillers or interventions, replicating the conditions in the bible.

The importance of childbirth, and the perception of it in society is the main concept reinforced in this
chapter.
Chapter 20

After Janine gives birth, the handmaids are provided milk and sandwiches whereas the wives are able
to refresh themselves with wine and oranges during the grand occasion. Offred soon drifts to her
thoughts where remembers Aunt Lydia’s words in the Red Centre, and how they were shown
pornographic videos in the Domestic Science Room. Aunt Lydia always pushed the girls’ limits to
show them how their lives as handmaids would be preferable to the alternatives, alluding to the
situations in the movies. Lydia also showed videos of feminist rallies, with the volume turned down,
at it as this point that Offred recognizes her mother as being in one of the crowds. Offred remembers
how she always quarreled with her mother because she was a single mother and constantly pushed
and fought for the feminist voice. She had made a lot of sacrifices, and it is due to this that Offred
regrets the lack of support she showed her mother, something that leads her to start to understand
the importance of amplifying the feminist voice.

The chapter affirms the role of women during the birth phase. Society understood that women are
the ones who should be involved in the entire process, and thus during Janine’s delivery, the
Commander was nowhere to be seen.

Chapter 21

The room where Janine is expected to give birth is very crowded, and noisy. Offred feels disturbed
with the situation because she is mostly subjected to solitude, thus there is a sharp contrast between
her current and normal environment. The handmaids chant various words which help Janine to relax,
and the birthmaids check her contractions. She soon delivers, and the Commander’s wife takes the
baby immediately, naming her Angela which most of the members in the room perceive as a sweet
name. After giving birth, Janine will be allowed to nurse the baby for a few months before she is
transferred to a new commander. The exercise is customarily undertaken to see if she will be in a
position to do the same with another Commander and their child. No physical deformities were
noted on the child, something that brings great relief to the handmaids as otherwise she would be
branded as an ‘Unwoman’ and sent to the colonies.

The chapter adequately captures the plight of women in society. The statement can be evidenced by
the fact that a woman was expected to deliver a child who had no type of deformity.

Chapter 22

The chapter begins with Offred’s return Offred from the Birthmobile. She is exhausted and too tired
to do anything drags herself and lies down the bed but remains too excited to sleep. Offred thinks
back to memories about Moira and their experiences in the Red Centre. Moira is described as an
intelligent individual by the way she orchestrated her escape from the center. She started by causing
a toilet overflow, something that caused Aunt Elizabeth came to see what was happening (Atwood,
1985). While she was busy checking the situation, Moira took a long lever, threatening Aunt Elizabeth
with it, forcing her into the furnace room. In there, she took her clothes, and the gate pass and
walked out the door, and from this moment, no one has ever seen or heard anything about her.
Thus, through Moira, the chapter aims to communicate Offred’s thirst for freedom.
The chapter aims to portray Moira as a brave, and outspoken individual who is eager to gain her
freedom. From the description of the events, Atwood showcases that women have been reduced to
objects, simply used by men, that simply move onto the next one once they are done.

Chapter 23

The chapter commences with Offred lying in her bed, thinking of a way to escape, just like Moira. In
her mind, she is aware that she will not survive in her current position forever and thus needs an exit
strategy. An exit strategy that will enable her to find a way to save others like her. As she begins to
drift to sleep, she is awakened by Cora who comes to her with the dinner tray, and they start a
conversation about Janine’s (Offwarren) daughter, and how beautiful she looks. Cora is optimistic
that Offred will also have a baby soon. Later on, Offred follows Nick’s previous instructions and
sneaks to the Commander’s study room where she is mesmerized by the vast number of books on
display. The Commander asks her to play a game of Scrabble; something that Offred knows is as
illegal as having drugs. Despite enjoying playing the game, she knows that if Serena found her, the
consequences would be dire with her branded an Unwoman.

From this chapter we can see that illiteracy was a major issue embedded in women. The society did
not condone any acts of women reading, and thus the exchange in the study room was completely
illegal.

Chapter 24

Offred returns to her room and does not feel the same in her new clothes claiming that she cannot
even think without her clothes on. She is mesmerized with the potential that surrounds her new
apparent relationship with the Commander. After debating with herself, she comes to the realization
that she is in a position to ask for things from the Commander. Recalling how Aunt Lydia described
men as ‘sex machines’ that women need to learn how to control. As she gets comfortable, she recalls
a documentary from her youth. The documentary was about the horrors of World War II and
featured an interview with the mistress of a Nazi concentration camp survivor – thinking about how
much suffering there is in the world. Everything starts to get too much for Offred and she breaks
down in hysterical laughter, something that she immediately tries to hide.

The chapter clearly shows Offred struggling with her new situation comprehending new things, and
thinking about herself, and what she is going through.

Chapter 25

It is morning, and Offred is woken up by screams, and a loud crash. Offred had fallen asleep in the
closet and had startled Cora so much that she dropped the breakfast tray. In an attempt to cover up
the situation, Offred begs Cora not to say anything alluding that strange behavior like that may be an
indicator of a pregnancy, something that excites Cora a great deal. Cora even runs the risk of being
found to be dishonest about how the tray fell, but her excitement about a possible pregnancy seems
to be all that’s important. Later on, we are informed that Offred continues to meet the Commander
during late nights in the study room. They maintain a unique communication style using signals, often
relayed by Nick which Serena cannot decode. The Commander does not force himself onto Offred,
but instead, it reaches a point where he allows her to read through a copy of Vogue magazine,
something that excites Offred, due to its illegality but also how it is the antithesis of the modest
clothes they wear every day. Offred even goes so far as to ask for body lotion, informing the
Commander about the butter she had bene using, something that amuses the Commander greatly.
Chapter 26

The next conceiving ceremony is awkward for Offred, where before she simply tired to detach from
the actions that were happening, now she is all to conscious about it, both Offred and the
Commander have to work hard to hide any emotions. Her new position as a ‘mistress’ also places her
in an awkward situation, with Serena, the Commander ’s wife. Where before, Offred enjoyed the
feeling of power over Serena, now she expresses her guilt for interfering in a marriage, while
simultaneously feeling happiness in the knowledge that she does hold some control over the
Commander. She is also afraid that if Serena found out, she would be sent to the colonies since
matters pertaining to the household were the domain of the wife, and even the Commander would
be left with little choice even if he wanted to help her.

In this chapter, Offred is portrayed as a woman who is undergoing change, change that is brought
about by her proximity to the commander, and the possible consequences of such a closeness.

Chapter 27

The chapter begins with one of many between Ofglen and Offred. The two women walk and talk as
they observe their setting. They note that there are several changes that have happened and that the
streets as well as the buildings that surround them, have been transformed. Once popular shops like
‘Loaves and Fishes’, a fish store that used to open regularly, now only opens occasionally if ever. The
two women stop at a prayer printing store known as Soul Scrolls. Inside the store, they watch the
ongoing printing, and Ofglen openly wonders whether God hears the prayers. Offred responds with a
blunt “no”, and this helps break the barrier of uncertainty between the two women and promotes a
feeling of trust between them. As they return home, a black van, painted with the symbols of ‘The
Eye’, Gilead’s spy network, stops, and two men accost a man with a briefcase, dragging him inside
and driving away. While this happens, Offred holds her breath as she thought the van had come for
them, and that their conversation had somehow been recorded.

This chapter gives a glimpse into the environment around Offred. One gets to learn of her friends,
and her growth, as shown by her imagination, and feelings of emancipation.

Chapter 28

In this chapter, Offred notes that Moira is a lesbian, and she does not like Luke, Offred’s boyfriend.
Moira had accused Offred of having a relationship with a married man stating that she was
‘poaching, on another woman's ground’. Offred reminisces about Moira before recounting the time
just before the Gilead coup. She got a job in a library, where she used to transfer books to computer
discs. She also used to take home some books which were supposed to be shredded. She recalls the
period when the army declared a state of emergency; the President was assassinated along with
Congress with everyone blaming Islamic fanatics. During this period, the constitution was suspended,
newspapers censored, roadblocks, and Identipasses were introduced. At the corner store, where she
usually bought her pack of cigarettes, she found out that her card was invalid, and that women would
have no access to their money. Offred and other females were dismissed from their jobs, escorted
out of buildings by armed men.

Chapter 29
The chapter begins with Offred once again in the Commander’s office. From her description of the
scene, she is relaxed and at ease, along with the Commander. She notes that “little of that formality
remains between us” when describing how the two of them are behaving. The Cpmmander offers
Offred a book to read, and continually stares at her, making her feel as if completely undressed. She
feels shy in the face of the continuous gaze, and instead proposes that they talk instead. It is through
this conversation that Offred discovers the meaning of the words Nolite te bastardes
carborundorum, scribbled down by the previous handmaid after learning the phrase from the
Commander himself. It is at this point that she also learns that the previous handmaid hanged herself
when Serena found out about her relationship with the Commander.

In this chapter, the Commander invites Offred to his office in an effort to make her life more
bearable, and comfortable.

Chapter 30

In this chapter Offred sees Nick, outside in the dark as she is about to close the window, and a
sudden rush of sexual desire and chemistry is exchanged between the two of them. Thoughts of Nick
propel her to think about Luke, and she keeps recalling their fateful escape attempt, wondering how
they were found; speculating that the neighbors may have had a hand to play in their capture, either
the neighbors or the passport forger himself. She remembers the events in detail, and the
conversations she had with Luke, such as the decision on what to do with their cat. For subtlety’s
sake, they could not bring the cat when they left their home and so killed it in the garage. A death
that Offred feels guilty about, especially over the ultimately pointlessness of it all.

In this chapter, additional details are revealed about Offred’s and Luke’s botched escape.

Chapter 31

We see Offred pointing out that she has always wished that one day she would wake up and find
herself in her own house and things back to normal. She has always hoped for that day, but over the
years nothing has happened. She notes that the summer period has been very long, dry and hot and
that is why she had made marks on the wall, to keep track of the days. She begins wishing that Luke
was in the room so that they could argue about something petty like washing dishes. Later on, upon
returning from shopping with Olfgen, Offred is called over by Serena in the garden and they have a
conversation. (Atwood, 1985). While talking, Serena pulls out a cigarette and smokes it openly. She
begins to talk with Offred about pregnancy, and about how if neither she nor Offred were able to
conceive, it may be the Commanders issue and not theirs. Serena then proposes that Offred should
consider sleeping with another man so that she could have a baby, suggesting Nick as a suitable
candidate. Offred agrees and Serena assures that everything will be taken care of, before offering a
cigarette to Offred.

From the assessment of the different aspects, it is clear that society still lives in denial.

Chapter 32

The chapter commences with Offred asking for a matchstick from Rita, who is merely concerned with
what she will do with it. Rita eventually gives her the matchstick but warns her about doing anything
that could cause a fire. As she settles in her room, Offred thinks about saving the cigarette she had
been given and using the matchstick to burn down the house. She perceives this as a vital exit plan
which is swift and straightforward. Offred’s thoughts then drift into the meeting she had with the
Commander the previous night. While drunk, the Commander is vulnerable and becomes very open
with Offred. During that moment, the Commander points out that before Gilead, men were
becoming desensitized any emotional feelings when it came to women as through porn and
prostitution, sexual gratification was so easily attainable. The Commander is interested to find out
what Offred thinks, and constantly asks for her opinion; this being a very strange experience for
Offred considering how dismissive the Gilead is of women’s opinions.

Chapter 33

The chapter begins with the description of a cloudy afternoon in which Ofglen and Offred decide to
attend a “Prayavaganza.” The event is attended by other women in the district, and it is held in the
old university building. There are different sub-divisions in the event, based on class, the wives sit on
one section, there is another area for the econowives, and the handmaids are segregated in an area
which has been marked by ropes. In the Prayavaganza, the handmaids are made to kneel, and Ofglen
tells Offred that they should sit at the back where they will be able to talk without being caught. The
two women see Janine enter the room, Ofglen elbows Offred and informs her that she gave birth to a
deformed child, a child whom she conceived with the doctor. As a result of this, Janine has been sent
to a new family (Atwood, 1985). After learning the new information, Offred remembers an
experience she had with Janine at the Red Center. Janine had seemingly taken leave of reality and
was whispering to herself. Moira had to slap her so that she could come back to her senses. As a
result of this, Offred is filled with fear, thinking that the same kind of fate could await her if she
proceeds with Serena’s plan.

The chapter exhaustively affirms the hypocrisy in religious institutions. The author notes that the
district understood the importance of God, but the same ‘Christian’ thoughts of equality and
acceptance are not reflected in the arrangement of the church.

Chapter 34

The events of the chapter remain in the courtyard which is now packed to capacity. A Commander
comes in and informs the crowd that it is Thanksgiving, a day of praise. The session is filled with
stories of sacrifice and victory, neither of these interesting Offred at all. The meeting is centered
around the presentation of twenty young women to their Angel husbands. The girls, who are as
young as fourteen years, walk to the stage covered in veils and are given to their husbands in an
arranged marriage. The event prompts Offred to remember a conversation she held with the
Commander. The Commander believes that the situation in Gilead has offered women a conducive
space where they can procreate in peace, free from any of the stresses found in the former USA, but
Offred insists that the little freedom provided does not grant them love. The Commander counters
this point by stating that in his experience, arranged marriages worked far better than the ones
resulting from love. After that, the ceremony continues, and Offred remembers Aunt Lydia’s words
stating that the primary aim of the community is to ensure that a firm relationship of love, trust, and
companionship is created.
The author tries to provide counter-arguments to the situation in Gilead’s society. There are so many
rules and regulations that exist, but everybody has their own perspective on the situation.

Chapter 35

Offred continues to think how she tried to escape over the Canadian border with her daughter and
Luke. When they reached the border, they handed over their fake passports and waited nervously.
They observe the border guard pick up the telephone and call someone, an act which is enough to
force Luke into action. Filled with fear and suspicion, they drive into the woods where they got out of
the car and started running. These memories mesmerize Offred as she tries to think about a time
when she was in love and how it was valuable and difficult at the same time. She wonders about
what happened to Luke, if he was dead in the woods and what she was supposed to do. Then,
someone knocks at the door interrupting her thoughts. Offred is surprised to discover that it is
Serena, who comes in and shows Offred a photograph of her daughter – a photograph that brings as
much sadness as joy, feeling that her daughter wouldn’t be able to recognize her at all since she is
not around to take care of her.

This chapter shows how a woman embraces her love life, and the strengh she can gain from it.

Chapter 36

Offred walks into the Commanders room and is startled to find him drunk. She engages in a
conversation with him during which she tries to estimate just how drunk he is. He gives her some
provocative clothing and asks Offred to accompany him to an event. Offred is filled with excitement,
breaking the rules and wearing clothing that had been outlawed. They get into the Commanders car
where Nick is waiting for them both. She has cheap makeup on and is slightly concerned what Nick
will think about her. She finds her outfit ridiculous yet impressive and is made to hide on the floor of
the car as they go through various checkpoints until they arrive at the event. As they walk inside, the
Commander instructs her to pretend that she is nothing more than an ‘evenings rental’, something
she goes along with, despite feeling silly, imagining Moira disparaging her for being an idiot for going
along with the plan.

This chapter demonstrates the various conflicting positions that Offred finds herself in, in her
relationship with the Commander.

Chapter 37

Offred and the Commander walk into a hotel which Offred quickly recognizes as the same one Luke
and she had used during the early days of their relationship. The hotel was now filled with high-
ranking officials, foreign businessmen and promiscuously dressed women. Offred feels out of place,
and pretends to be dumb, something that the Commander notices, instructing her to behave
naturally or risk being discovered. Suddenly, across the room, Offred sees Moira. Dressed in a faded
costume and smoking a cigarette, Moira is looking across the room until the two make eye contact.
She signals to Offred to follow her to the washroom and departs without looking around. Offred,
already unsteady in her high-heels, heads to the bathroom without saying a word, oblivious of any
possible stares from the guests.
In this chapter Moira comes face to face with yet another change, that of the hotel that used to be so
important to her, being turned into a ‘social place’ for high-ranking men to enjoy a variety of women.

Chapter 38

Offred goes to the washrooms and is ushered by an Aunt. She does not immediately find Moira and is
unsure whether it is a good idea to ask about her. She finds several women smoking, and while she
stands there unsure of what to do, Moira walks out of a cubicle. They hug one another, and Moira
tells her story. She explains her actions after she had escaped from the Red Centre and her planned
escape. She proceeds to note that she was eventually caught in Maine and taken by ‘The Eye’. She
was tortured and shown videos of the dreaded Colonies. In these videos, old women were forced to
clean up radioactive waste, and the dead bodies of the war, all in heinous conditions. She was given a
choice between going to the Colonies or working as a prostitute at Jezebel’s – terrified by the
potential horrors of the Colonies, she chose to work at the club, the lifestyle seemingly having
stripped her of her spark and will to escape

Chapter 39

The chapter begins with the Commander bringing Offred to a hotel room at Jezebel’s (Atwood, 2004).
As she uses the bathroom, she remembers a conversation she had had with Moira. Moira had told
her that she had seen her mother, news that disturbs Offred as she had presumed that her mother
was dead. According to Moira, she saw Offred’s mother in a movie depicting life in the Colonies.
Offred initially feels grateful and some form of hope, however, Moira tells her that her mother would
be better off dead. Offred tries to remember the last time she had seen her mother, nonetheless, all
she can remember is casual meetings at her apartment and nothing of substance. As she reenters the
hotel room, the Commander is waiting for her in bed, Offred seems to comprehend her surroundings
at this point, realizing how garish her outfit is. She joins the Commander in bed but is unenthusiastic,
feeling pity for the man, faking satisfaction and arousal.

Chapter 40

Later during the night, it gets hot, and muggy, and Offred puts on her Handmaid’s clothes as she lays
waiting in her room. She had planned with Serena Joy to meet up that night and put their plan into
action (Atwood, 2004). Thus, at midnight, Serena arrives, knocking on the door as planned. She gives
Offred directions to Nick’s house, and promises to keep watch. When she finally reaches Nick’s
apartment, and knocks, he opens the door, beckoning her inside – offering her a drag on his
cigarette. When he looks at her, she feels “judged ugly, and stupid”; Nick kisses her and brings her to
the bed, saying that there should be no romance; feelings are dangerous in their situations. While
sleeping with him. Offred is awash with emotion; imagining Serena judging her for being easy and
feeling like she had betrayed Luke for enjoying the experience as much as she did.

This scene brings out the differences between the Commanders and Serenas forms of rebellion.

Chapter 41

Offred apologizes to the reader for the way she is telling her story, feeling that it is painful, and
disjointed. She wishes that it made her seem like she is more active, as well as less hesitant.
Somehow, she hopes that other people will hear her story, and she will also get a chance to hear
stories of other people, and imagines an audience. She begins to talk about how she continued
seeing Nick without Serena’s permission. Sometimes, she went to see Nick right after she was with
the Commander. She describes a typical encounter with Nick, going as so far as to say they always
have sex immediately and talk later. She trusts Nick, and as such tells him almost everything,
refraining from talking about Luke. Although she knows that this could be a dangerous thing to do,
she feels like she has made him into “an idol.” Most of the time, Ofglen encourages Offred to find out
critical information concerning the Commander for the resistance but Offred is mostly distracted,
thinking about Nick (Atwood, 2004).

As in previous chapters, Offred alienates herself from the story to comment on her storytelling. At
this point, she emphasizes that this story is meant for other people to read, and it is not merely a way
for her pass time.

Chapter 42

The chapter begins with a bell ringing, Offred is in a line, walking in pairs on their way to a ‘Salvaging’.
They walk past the Angels and enter into the quadrangle that is situated in front of the library. Offred
notes that she had only attended a salvage once, two-years ago. In this case, one wife and two
handmaids will be executed on stage, potentially drugged into complacency. Aunt Lydia comes to the
stage, and Offred cannot help but feel hate towards her. Aunt Lydia then states that she would not
be explaining what these women had done to deserve execution, in order to prevent people from
committing copycat crimes. This upsets many handmaids, as they desire to know the mistakes these
women had done to avoid being salvaged as well. As the women are hanged, other handmaids place
their hands on the rope to show that they are also taking part in the execution (Atwood, 2004).

Chapter 43

Almost as soon as the execution ends, Aunt Lydia gathers all of the handmaids in a circle as the other
women watch (Atwood, 2004). She explains to them that after the whistle blows then they are free
to do what they want. The Guardians then drag in a man who had obviously been tortured already.
Aunt Lydia tells them that the man was a rapist, he had raped two handmaids, one of whom had
been pregnant, and that the rape had resulted in the loss of the baby. Offred feels a lot of anger
towards the man. Aunt Lydia then blows the whistle, but the handmaids are hesitant initially. It is
only once the man begins to protest his innocence that the handmaids attack. Ofglen is the first to
react and kicks the prisoner in the head. Offred shouts at Ofglen upon seeing this but is later
informed that the man was actually a member of the resistance and Ofglen was merely trying to
knock him unconscious. The handmaids descend into a bloody frenzy, all their anger and frustrations
taken out on one man.

When the handmaids are given first given the chance to punish the “rapist”, they seem to be
hesitant. However, when the man tries to speak up, and say that he did not engage in such behavior,
this stirs up their anger, and they begin kicking him.

Chapter 44

After Offred had taken a reasonable lunch, she leaves the house, passes by Nick, and then pauses at
the corner to wait for Ofglen (Atwood, 2004). However, when Ofglen approaches, she looks rather
different, and Offred notices that is another woman entirely. She tries to inquire about the original
Ofglen, but this woman insists that she is in fact Ofglen. They walk by the wall and see new bodies on
display there. Offred tries to subtly convey her opposition to the Gilead regime but the new Ofglen
says next to nothing. Offred perseveres, trying to shoehorn the resistance codeword ‘Mayday’ into
the conversation. The new Ofglen responds by telling her that she should not think of such things. As
a result of this, Offred becomes worried and paranoid, thinking of the possible repercussion. These
thoughts are only made worse when the new Ofglen whispers that Ofglen had killed herself when
she found out that the ‘Eye’ were on their way to question her.

Chapter 45

For the most part Offred is relieved that Ofglen took her own life rather than being tortured,
meaning her secrets were also safe (Atwood, 2004). However, Offred continues to wonder if the new
Ofglen was telling the truth. As she walks back to the house, she begins to panic, and promises to
herself that she will be the perfect handmaid, doing everything that she is asked to do. By so doing,
she would avert being suspected or captured – both events that would lead to her torture and death.
She is pulled back into reality when Serena storms angrily out of the house. Offred immediately
knows that she must have done something wrong but cannot put her finger on what her mistake is.
Serena then shows her the blue cloak that has makeup smeared all over it as well as the leotard that
she had worn to Jezebels. Serena orders Offred upstairs, calling her a slut and comparing her to the
previous handmaid.

Chapter 46

Offred waits in her room as night falls, unsure of what her punishment will be (Atwood, 2004). She
starts imagining how she could set the whole house on fire and end her life in that manner, or climb
out of the window, or hang herself, or simply break down and cry in the presence of the Commander.
When she stands, she sees a van adorned with a winged logo coming to the house – The Eye. Two
men come and ring the doorbell a sound that makes Offred wish that she had killed herself. Nick
enters the room, and Offred is overwhelmed with a sense of hatred, assuming that he was part of the
Eye all along. However, he urges her to trust him, and tells her that the men in the van are part of the
Mayday resistance. The Commander and Serena are visibly shocked and confused, as neither of them
had called for the Eye. The Commander tries to intervene and ask for a warrant but is simply brushed
aside and told that there is hardly need for a warrant concerning the “violation of state secrets.”
Offred is led out to the van by the two men and left to await an unknown future.

It is clear that Offred’s imagination actually hinders her from gaining independence. For instance, she
sees death as her only way out that or by gaining favor from the Commander.