The Handmaid's Tale Quote Analysis

“The pen between my fingers is sensuous, alive almost, I can feel its power, the power of the words it contains. Pen Is Envy, Aunt Lydia would say, quoting another Centre motto, warning us away from such objects. And they were right, it is envy. Just holding it is envy. I envy the Commander his pen. It’s one more thing I would like to steal”

SPEAKER: Offred

CONTEXT:

1. internal monologue

2. after a Scrabble game

3. Offred recalls a Latin phrase in her closet while conversing with the Commander.

4. Offred asks the Commander about the Latin phrase.

5. The Commander's hands Offred the pen. He laughs when he sees it (it’s an inside joke btw him and his school friends, not even real Latin) He then asks where she saw the phrase.

THEME: Patriarchy

“The woman with painted toes shifts from one foot to the other. I can feel her shoes on my feet. The smell of nail polish has made me hungry”

SPEAKER: Offred

CONTEXT:

1. Internal monologue

2. when Offred and Ofglen are walking (shopping)

3. A group of Japanese tourists encounters Offred and Ofglen, asking to take a photo of these Handmaids.

4. Offred shakes her head no

5. The Japanese tourists ask if they are happy Offred says they are very happy.

THEME: Loss of Freedom of Choice/Desire to escape

“Cora has begun to cry. I was her hope, I've failed her. Now she will always be childless . . . And so I step up, into the darkness within; or else the light”

SPEAKER: Offred

CONTEXT:

1. internal monologue

2. in front of Commander’s house, as she is arrested

3. Offred considers committing suicide but realizes it’s too late to try.

4. Nick says Eyes are Mayday rescuing her.

5. Serena Joy and the Commander demand a reason, The Eyes say she has violated state secrets.

THEME: Liberation

“Which of us is it worse for, her or me?”

SPEAKER: Offred

CONTEXT:

1. internal monologue referring to Serena Joy

2. in the Commander's bedroom after the Ceremony.

3. The Ceremony is a monthly ritual….

4. Offred and Serena Joy are alone together after the ceremony

5. Offred leaves by Serena Joy’s command

THEME: Loss of autonomy/dehumanization

“She is frightening me now because what I hear in her voice is indifference, a lack of volition"

SPEAKER: Offred

CONTEXT:

1. internal monologue, referring to Moira.

2. in the Jezebel bathrooms

3. The Commander takes Offred to Jezebels to show her off, she finds Moira.

4. Moira recounts her journey after she escaped the Red Centre.

5. Offred never sees Moira again

THEME: Loss of Agency/Complacency

“This is what she says, whispers, more or less. I can’t remember exactly, because I had no way of writing it down. . . . I’ve tried to make it sound as much like her as I can. It’s a way of keeping her alive”

SPEAKER: Offred

CONTEXT:

1. internal monologue as a note to reader.

2. at the Jezebel’s washroom with Moira (reunion)

3. Offred recounts the story of escaping from the Red Centre, getting caught, tortured and then being given the choice of the Colonies or Jezebel’s.

4. Before this quote, Offred and Moira meet at Jezebels by coincidence. Moira uses an old signal to tell Offred to meet her in the washroom

5. Moira's outfit which is government-issued issued is sultry rabbit

THEME: Memory and Resistance

“We thought we had such problems. How were we to know we were happy?”

SPEAKER: Offred

CONTEXT:

1. internal monologue

2. in Offred’s room in her free time

3. after Offred states there was a Handmaid before her that lived in her room.

4. recounts Luke's affair with her before their marriage— she got dolled up for him every afternoon, yet people tried each other on, like suits, and rejected whatever did not fit.

5. She describes the conditions of her room as she looks around slowly, analyzing the small details.

THEME: Loss of freedom/complacency

“He is demonstrating, to me, his mastery of the world. He’s breaking the rules, under their noses, thumbing his nose at them, getting away with it”

SPEAKER: Offred

CONTEXT:

1. internal monologue.

2. at Jezebel’s.

3. sees the Commander’s pride as he shows her off to other men.

4. While Gilead forbids clubs, alcohol, and prostitution, such rules do not apply at Jezebel’s.

5. At this point, Offred is able to reunite with Moira.

THEME: Abuse of Power

“If your dog dies, get another”

SPEAKER: Commander

CONTEXT:

1. to Offred

2. in the Commander’s office

3. Offred asks the Commander for a translation of the Latin words written in the closet.

4. He provides a translation and then tells Offred about the previous Handmaid who hanged herself.

5. Offred then asks him whatever there is to know, about what’s going on in Gilead.

THEME: Dehumanization

"The problem wasn’t only with the women . . . The main problem was with the men. There was nothing for them any more"

SPEAKER: Commander

CONTEXT:

1. to Offred

2. in office

3. tries to justify regime men’s actions suggesting that restoring women's innocence is necessary because pleasure is too easily accessible.

4. playing Scrabble.

5. The Commander was drinking alcohol.

THEME: Justification of Oppression

“You're intelligent enough, you must have an opinion. . . . You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs . . . We thought we could do better. . . . Better never means better for everyone . . . It always means worse, for some”

SPEAKER: Commander

CONTEXT:

1. to Offred.

2. playing Scrabble.

3. Before —- he asks Offred what she thinks about Gilead

4. after Offred says “better?”.

5. The Commander relaxes his hands on Offred’s shoulders and sighs as he continues to speak.

THEME: Dictatorship/Abuse of Power

“Nature demands variety, for men. It stands to reason, it’s part of the procreational strategy. It’s Nature’s plan”

SPEAKER: Commander

CONTEXT:

1. to Offred.

2. at Jezebel’s (gives Offred a tour)

3. Offred is wearing a theatrical costume given to her to wear as a “disguise.”

4. tells Offred that she should just say that she is an evening rental.

5. Offred notices that there are many Commanders from Gilead, Arab men, Japanese men and former Handmaids, like Moira, at the club, and the women are all scantily clad in lingerie, bathing suits, etc.

THEME: Abuse of Power

“I want to see as little of you as possible . . . I expect you feel the same way about me. . . . I’ve read your file. As far as I’m concerned, this is like a business transaction. But if I get trouble, I’ll give trouble back. You understand?”

SPEAKER: Serena Joy

CONTEXT:

1. to Offred.

2. in the sitting room (Offred meets Serena Joy)

3. Serena is sitting in her chair with her foot on the footstool — smoking. directs Offred to sit— just this one time

4. Offred was allowed to enter through the front door only on this first day

5. From this point on, Offred will only enter through the back door

THEME: Resentment

“I trusted you . . . I tried to help you. . . . Well? . . . Nothing to say for yourself? . . . Look . . . There was lipstick on it . . . How could you be so vulgar? I told him . . . Behind my back . . . You could have left me something. . . . Pick up that disgusting thing and get to your room. Just like the other one. A slut. You’ll end up the same”

SPEAKER: Serena Joy

CONTEXT:

1. to Offred.

2. outside house — Serena stands on the front steps, confronting Offred after discovering evidence of her betrayal.

3. Serena Joy holds up her blue cloak with a lipstick stain and drops it to the ground, the purple sequined outfit falling to the ground as well.

4. Offred has just returned from shopping with the new Ofglen who has revealed that the old Ofglen hanged herself upon seeing the van approaching.

5. Serena Joy raises her cane as if to hit Offred but instead, tells Offred to take the disgusting outfit and banishes Offred to Offred’s room. Nick stops whistling. He has witnessed this whole situation.

THEME: Jealousy and Blame

“Bitch, after all he did for you”

SPEAKER: Serena Joy

CONTEXT:

1. Serena Joy says this to Offred.

2. in hallway— last time Serena Joy sees Offred

3. Offred describes Serena Joy as looking unbelieving —- the Commander as worried and hopeless.

4. Offred notes that Serena Joy was not the one to call the Eyes, because Serena asks, “What has she done?”

5. The Commander demands authorization and a warrant, but the Eyes reply that all is in order and that Offred is being taken for violation of state secrets, which prompts the Commander to put his hand to his head.

THEME: Power/Resentment

“As for my husband, she said, he’s just that. My husband. I want that to be perfectly clear. Till death do us part. It’s final”

SPEAKER: Serena Joy

CONTEXT:

1. to Offred.

2. in the sitting room

3. Serena Joy addresses Offred while sitting on her armchair and smoking.

4. Offred responds and feels like she sounds like a monotone doll.

5. Offred recognizes Serena Joy from a television show she used to watch.

THEME: Power and Control

“You are a transitional generation… It is the hardest for you. We know the sacrifices you are being expected to make. It is hard when men revile you. For the ones who come after you, it will be easier. They will accept their duties with willing hearts”

SPEAKER: Aunt Lydia

CONTEXT:

1. Offred recalls Aunt Lydia's words

2. when Ofwarren is preparing to give birth in the master bedroom of Commander Warren’s House —-Offred has a memory of the Red Centre training.

3. In the present, 25-30 women, including Offred, sit on a rug watching Ofwarren.

4. Three women that Offred does not know assist Ofwaren by holding her hands and rubbing baby oil on Ofwarren’s stomach.

5. Commander Warren's Wife and the other Wives are in the sitting room cheering on the Wife of Warren despite not being pregnant.

THEME: Control and Manipulation

"There is more than one kind of freedom...Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don't underrate it"

SPEAKER: Aunt Lydia

CONTEXT:

1. Offred recalls Aunt Lydia’s words

2. when Offred and Ofglen are on a walk and Offred has a memory of their training at the Red Centre.

3. When Offred looks down at the sidewalk she remembers that she used to wear running shoes but never ran out at night since women were not protected.

4. She remembers the unsaid rules at the time (do not open the doors to strangers, do not stop on the road to help a motorist and don’t go into the laundromat alone at night.)

5. Offred thinks about what she used to wear to laundromats. Offred wore clothing that she picked out and bought with money she earned, this leads her to remember Aunt Lydia's words.

THEME: Freedom to and Freedom From/Loss of Freedom

“I’ve learned to do without a lot of things. If you have a lot of things…you get too attached to this material world and you forget about spiritual values. You must cultivate poverty of spirit. Blessed are the meek. She didn’t go on to say anything about inheriting the earth”

SPEAKER: Aunt Lydia

CONTEXT:

1. Internal monologue but recalling Aunt Lydia’s words

2. Takes place while Offred is bathing in preparation for the rape ceremony.

3. The smell of the bath soap triggers a memory of Offred’s daughter as a baby. She thinks of her daughter as a ghost who visits her at different ages. 

4. Offred remembers sitting in her old house next to her daughter’s baby clothes. 

5. Aunt Lydia is justifying the confiscation of Offred’s belongings, explaining to her why women don't need material possessions. 

THEME: Delusionment and Dreams

“Ordinary,…is what you are used to. This may not seem ordinary to you now, but after a time it will. It will become ordinary.”

SPEAKER: Aunt Lydia

CONTEXT:

1. Offred recalls Aunt Lydia talking to the Handmaids

2. Offred and Ofglen are standing by the Wall, looking at the bodies of dead men who were executed.

3. Ofglen seems to be praying but Offred can't tell if this is real or an act. 

4. The men are wearing white coats and have signs around their necks (fetuses) which indicates they performed abortions before the Sons of Jacob took over. 

5. The dead men have white bags over their heads (one has a bloody smile drawing)

THEME: Manipulation/Indoctrination

“It’s all right. It’s Mayday. Go with them . . . Trust me”

SPEAKER: Nick

CONTEXT:

1. calmly says this to Offred.

2. in Offred’s room as she waits for the Eyes to take her into the black van.

3. Offred suspects that Nick may be a part of the Eyes, but decides to put her trust in him

4. The Commander standing in the hallway, confronts the Eyes, asking them for their authorization

5. Serena Joy stands in the hallway and ask the Eyes what Offred had done wrong

THEME: Liberation

“Come on . . . We haven't got much time . . . No romance, okay?”

SPEAKER: Nick

CONTEXT:

1. Nick to Offred before having intimacy

2. Nick reminds Offred that this is not allowed

3. Nick tries to keep their relationship purely physical. 

4. Nick tries to protect himself and Offred from consequences. 

5. Takes place in the Commander's house, specifically Nick’s apartment. 

THEME: Rebellion

“Don’t be stupid. He wasn’t a rapist at all, he was a political. He was one of ours. I knocked him out. Put him out of his misery”

SPEAKER: Ofglen

CONTEXT:

1. to Offred

2. football field— a Guardian is accused of raping a pregnant Handmaid causing a miscarage. 

3. Ofglen pushes the Guardian to the ground and kicks him in the head several times. 

4. Offred confronts Ofglen, asking her why she would do such a thing. 

5. Ofglen says to Offred that the Guardian was actually a part of Mayday resistance.

THEME: Manipulation of Power

“Keep your head down as we walk, and lean just a little towards me. That way I can hear you better. Don’t talk when there’s anyone coming . . . Keep moving, pretend not to see”

SPEAKER: Ofglen

CONTEXT:

1. to Offred.

2. outside of Soul Scrolls, as they walk along their path to shopping.

3. Ofglen tells Offred for the first time about the Mayday Resistance.

4. A black van with the symbol of a white eye moves toward them, and stops, which terrifies them as they think that they are about to get caught.

5. The two Eyes assault and grab a man walking near them, throw him into the van and drive off. Things go back to normal a moment later. Offred expresses that she is relieved that it wasn’t her.

THEME: The power of language

“It's a beautiful May day”

SPEAKER: Ofglen

CONTEXT:

1. to Offred as they are walking home from shopping.

2. They are looking at the wall and there is one priest and two “gender traitors”.

3. Ofglen says this because it is indeed a beautiful May day which is also used as a code.

4. These words reflect how the words of “May Day” also sound like a french word “M’aidez”

5. Luke was the one to tell Offred what Mayday meant and that it was used by pilots and ships in order to get help.

THEME: Rebellion

“It was my own fault. I led them on. I deserved the pain”

SPEAKER: Janine

CONTEXT:

1. to the other Handmaids and Aunts.

2. at the Red Centre while the Handmaids are testifying and repenting for their supposed sins.

3. Janine tells the Handmaids about being gang raped in the past and aborting the baby

4. Aunt Lydia encourages the group of Handmaids to shame Janine for her “sin”

5. The Handmaids agree by chanting “She did”, and “Crybaby” to shame Janine

THEME: Manipulation and Indoctrination