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Search all of SparkNotes
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Lord of the Flies
The Catcher in the Rye
The Crucible
The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Taming of the Shrew
Shakespeare
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No Fear Shakespeare Translations
Shakespeare Study Guides
Shakespeare Life & Times
Glossary of Shakespeare Terms
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Literature Study Guides
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How to Write Literary Analysis
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The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood
Study Guide
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Study Guide
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Summary
Summary & Analysis
Chapters 1–3
Chapters 4–6
Chapters 7–9
Chapters 10–12
Chapters 13–15
Chapters 16–21
Chapters 22–25
Chapters 26–28
Chapters 29–32
Chapters 33–36
Chapters 37–40
Chapters 41-44
Chapters 45–46 & Historical Notes on The Handmaid’s Tale
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Offred
The Commander
Serena Joy
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Luke
Aunt Lydia
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Questions & Answers
What is a Handmaid?
Why does the Commander want to see Offred alone?
Why does Offred agree to have sex with Nick?
What happened to Offred’s daughter?
Who are the Eyes?
How did Offred become a handmaid?
What does Offred’s name mean?
Why are women forbidden to read or write?
What is the significance of Cambridge, Massachusetts, in The Handmaid’s Tale?
What is significant about the words that Offred plays in Scrabble with the Commander?
What is the purpose of the Japanese tourists Offred and Ofglen meet while shopping?
What is the significance of Offred’s tattoo?
Why doesn’t Offred reveal her name when she records her story?
What was Ofglen’s role in Mayday?
What is the function of the chapter titled “Historical Notes”?
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By Theme
Complacency
Identity
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Chapters 1-3
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Chapters 33-36
Chapters 37-40
Chapters 41-44
Chapters 45-46
By Character
Offred
The Commander
Serena Joy
Moira
Aunt Lydia
By Symbol
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Harvard University
The Handmaids’ Red Habits
A Palimpsest
The Eyes
By Setting
Gilead (formerly Cambridge, Massachusetts)
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Chapters 1-5
Chapters 4-6
Chapters 7-9
Chapters 10-12
Chapters 13-15
Chapters 16-21
Chapters 22-25
Chapters 26-28
Chapters 29-32
Chapters 33-36
Chapters 37-40
Chapters 41-44
Chapters 45-46 & Historical Notes on The Handmaid's Tale
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Context
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Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs & Symbols
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Historical Context Essay
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What Does the Ending Mean?
Further Study
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Related Links
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Margaret Atwood and The Handmaid's Tale Background
Quizzes
Analysis of Major Characters Quiz
Quizzes
Analysis of Major Characters Quiz
1
of 5
Which of the following best describes Offred's sense of humor?
Childish
Profane
Dark
Nonexistent
2
of 5
Which of the following best describes Offred's attitude towards life in Gilead?
Angry and belligerent
Content and outwardly happy
Grateful and eternally indebted
Passive and almost complacent
3
of 5
Generally speaking, which of the following best describes the Commander's behavior in his interactions with Offred?
Aggressive and domineering
Angry and vengeful
Indifferent and distant
Sympathetic and friendly
4
of 5
What about Serena makes her the perfect tool for Gilead's social order?
Her external beauty and poise
Her willingness to oppress women
Her compassionate and loving nature
Her intense self-hatred
5
of 5
When Offred reunites with Moira at Jezebel's, how has Moira changed?
Her defiance has grown
Her sexuality has changed
She has become resigned
Her intelligence has increased
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