Nyna Sayarath September 20, 2013 English 10: Coach Metcalf The Handmaids Tale Summary Character Descriptions

Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale was about a Handmaid named Offred- Intelligent, Careless, Offred living in the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian that formed after Sympatric, Vulnerable, Timid the president and congress were massacred which resulted in the Commander Selfish, suspension of the Constitution. Offred only responsibility was to get Lonely, Deceitful, Disturbing, impregnated by the Commander given that Handmaids were valued for Nave their ability to have children during an age of decline reproductive rates Serena Joy- Bitter, Resentful, caused by pollution. Despite the fact that she knew about Mayday, a Manipulative, Desperate resistance group with the intention of other throwing Gilead, Offred Moira- Fearless, Rebellious, often secretly saw Nick, the chauffer, and shared personal information Witty, Courageous , with him that led to an intimate relationship. In the end, Offred was Tenacious arrested by the secret police known as the Eyes, who according to Nick were secret members of Mayday and were there to save her. Discussion Questions 1. Margaret Atwood made many biblical references in The Handmaids Tale such as Rachel and Leah, and Adam and Noah. By using biblical references was Margaret Atwood trying to convey the story of Gilead as a theocracy? If no, what other reason and why? 2. Offred thought about several plans to escape before the Eye arrived. Why do you think she wasted time and sat on her bed instead of going through with the plans? 3. The Handmaids Tale is a novel that is somewhat bias about feminism. Readers can see this in Moira and Offreds mother, while Offred was more of an anti- feminist. Do you think Margaret Atwood wrote these characters based on her beliefs about feminism, and why was Offred different from the others? Key Passage: Its difficult for Key Passage Explanation: The commander was trying to explain to me to believe I have power Offred why Gilead was established. Before Gilead pornomarts were over him, of any sort, but I do easily accessible with no need for men and women to have intercourse. although its of an equivocal Men had the inability to feel and were turning off on sex; they were kind The problem wasnt getting bored .Feminism and women rights, one of the themes of novel, only women, he says. The were rising with women such as Offreds mother participating in main problem was with the protests for women rights and abortion riots. Men are known for being men the sex was too easy. protectors and supporters, but as women gain rights and believe in Anyone could buy it. There feminism, men lose their purpose when they feel unneeded. When was nothing to work for, Gilead was formed, women were ban from reading, and lost jobs and nothing to fight for Inability property. Women now served the sole propose of baring a child and to feel. Men were turning off used their viable ovaries and bodies as tools for the job. The on sex. (Atwood 210) formation of Gilead allowed men to take on their roles as protectors once again and regain purpose. Being with the Commander allowed At first Offred is thinking to Offred to feel she had some sort of power, the equivocal kind to the herself, and then the commander because she gave him the ability to feel once again. Commander is speaking.

Works Cited Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. New York [u.a.: Anchor, 1998. Print.