The Handmaids Tale Chapter 1-4

Chapter 1-2

Aunt Sara and Aunt Elizabeth patrol at night with "electric cattle prods slung on thongs from their leather belts." What does this detail, along with others, reveal about the situation thus far? More important, what does it reveal about the narrator?

The fact that the narrator sleeps in a gym that is no longer being used for its original purpose, and is patrolled by women armed with cattle prods, suggests that the narrator is a prisoner of some sort, a prisoner whose humanity is not even recognized.

Chapter 1-2

Who are the Angels? What is the narrator's hope regarding them?

They are guards who stand outside the fence as the prisoners take their daily walk. The

narrator fantasizes that they could help them—make some deal (usually sexual in nature), some trade, perhaps.

Chapter 1-2

What detail(s) reveals the strictness of the prison that the narrator finds herself in?

May include references to how regimented the women are—they walk in strict two-by-two rows, for example, and must learn to read lips to speak to each other because talking is not allowed.

Chapter 1-2

We slept in what had once been the gymnasium. The floor was of varnished wood, with stripes and circles painted on it, for the games that were formerly played there; the hoops for the basketball nets were still in place, though the nets were gone

Read the first sentence. What can you tell about the period just from this sentence?

People generally sleep in gymnasiums only in emergencies, after disasters. But this "had once" been a gymnasium, which implies that it was converted to its present use a long time ago. Some major change has taken

place, probably not for the good.

Chapter 1-2

The narrator remains unnamed for a large portion of the novel. For the purposes of clarity and simplicity in this teaching unit, her name will be revealed now as Offred. Why do you think, though, that the author would choose to keep the narrator unnamed for over half of the novel?

though, that the narrator is unnamed because she has become, in essence, a non-entity. It is easier for the Commander and others throughout her circle to see her as a non-person, without feelings and emotions such as they have, than to really think what this barbaric "proposal" has done to the Handmaids as women.

Chapter 1-2

Why has anything to which a rope could be tied been removed?

A rope tied to something could be used for suicide. A Handmaid's existence is obviously emotionally painful enough that many have taken the suicide route. They are a valuable enough resource to warrant protection from themselves.

Chapter 1-2

The reader first begins to notice Offred's internal fascination with language in Chapter 2. Provide an example and explain why she might be so intent upon the way words work with and play upon each other.

An example might be her internal pun, "Waste not want not. I am not being wasted. Why do I want?" A reason for her fascination with semantics might be the dictate for silence. Women in her position are not supposed to speak, and it seems as though she is practicing in her head, holding on to what she knows and remembers, so she does not lose it. It is as though she feels that failing to do this mental exercise will cause her to lose her faculty for language and thereby her hope that her former life will one day return.

Chapter 1-2

What is evidence of Offred's optimism?

She remarks, "but a chair, sunlight, flowers: these are not to be dismissed. I am alive, I live, I breathe." She finds hope in simple things.

Chapter 1-2

Describe Offred's clothing. What color is it, and how is the color symbolic? What is the significance of the elements of her clothing?

Students should list some of the following: Offred describes herself as some sort of parody of a cloaked fairy tale figure, a "sister, dipped in blood." Her dress is ankle length, for modesty. Her shoes are flat heeled, for sensibility. Her face is shielded by a winged hood that hides her face and prevents her from seeing things peripherally. Her costume marks her clearly as a Handmaid. The red color of her dress is symbolic. Red is the color of power, but it also carries the connotations of warning, sacrifice, courage, passion, sin, and guilt. Handmaids would have carried all of these conflicting emotions with their task.

Chapters 3 - 4

What insightful observation does Offred make about the Commander's Wife sitting in her garden?

She thinks that from a distance it looks like peace, but realizes that the Commander's Wife is actually far from being at peace.

Chapters 3 - 4

For how long has Offred been at her new station? How does Offred know how Serena Joy feels about her?

She has been there for five weeks. Offred knows Serena sees her as a reproach, but a necessity.

Chapters 3 - 4

What information does Offred offer the reader about the place of Handmaids in general?

Theirs is a very uncertain, shifting place. They are, in some respects, revered for what they can do (bear children) that others cannot. If they fail, however, they are looked upon as sluts or usurpers. No one seems quite certain whether they should be back-door servants, front-door guests, or honored family members. The system is simply too new and too strange.

Chapters 3 - 4

Who is the Commander's wife? Where does Offred remember her from?

Her name is Serena Joy, and Offred remembers her from a gospel show that as a child she used to watch on television. She remembers how Serena Joy could cry and smile at the same time, effortlessly—evidence, perhaps, of her hypocrisy.

Chapters 3 - 4

Who is the Commander's Guardian? How does he, from the very beginning, demonstrate imperfect behavior with Offred?

Nick is the Guardian and he worries Offred because he seems a bit bold—winks at her, whistles, subtly flirts. She fears that he may be an Eye, testing her loyalty.

Chapters 3 - 4

Offred's shopping companion's name is Ofglen. How do the names of the Handmaids seem to have been formed?

They are all men's names preceded by the preposition "of," showing ownership or derivation. This might demonstrate that the women's names are derived from those of their Commanders. Offred would be "Of Fred." Ofglen would be "Of Glen." This shows that they have no personal ownership or individuality. If they are unsuccessful in their posting and are moved to another, their name, and thus their identity, change every couple of years.

Chapters 3 - 4

What do you suppose is the function of the black painted vans?

an educated guess that the vans are for the collecting of "traitors" to the new governmental regime. The blackness of the van suggests an ominous, "Big Brother-esque" duty, one that strikes fear into the hearts of the citizens.

Chapters 3 - 4

How does Offred demonstrate that she does still possess power, as powerless as she is?

When she and Ofglen are stopped for a check of their passes, the Guard tries to get a glimpse of her face, and she obligingly tips her chin so that he may. It is in little things like this that she realizes her power. As she moves on, she sways her hips from side to side, knowing that he is watching. This is probably one of the most ageless, traditional forms of power known to man, and the one kind that the new government tried its hardest to abolish—sexual power.

Chapters 3 - 4

How does Atwood manage to continually layer the past upon the present?

She does this through layering Offred's memories of the way things used to be on the way things currently are. For example, as she and Ofglen walk through the heart of Gilead, she recalls how she and Luke once used to do the same, looking at the beautiful homes they hoped one day to be able to buy. The stores and buildings have changed but little—the lettering on signage changed to symbols and pictures, the way of life changed the most.