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The Handmaid’s Tale
Margaret Atwood
Study Guide
Summary
Plot Overview
Key Questions and Answers
What Does the Ending Mean?
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
Characters
Character List
Offred
The Commander
Serena Joy
Moira
Luke
Aunt Lydia
Main Ideas
Themes
Plot Analysis
Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Motifs
Symbols
Genre
Allusions
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Key Facts
Is Offred a rebel?
Quotes
Important Quotations Explained
Quotes By Theme
Complacency
Identity
Role of Women
Imprisonment
Quotes By Section
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
Quotes By Character
Offred
The Commander
Serena Joy
Moira
Aunt Lydia
Quotes By Symbol
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Harvard University
The Handmaids’ Red Habits
A Palimpsest
The Eyes
Further Study
Context
Feminism in the 1980s
Feminist science fiction
Movie Adaptations
Full Book Quiz
Section Quizzes
Context
Plot Overview
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs & Symbols
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
Study Questions
Suggestions for Further Reading
Companion Texts
Writing Help
How to Write Literary Analysis
Suggested Essay Topics
How to Cite This SparkNote
Further Study
Analysis of Major Characters Quiz
Further Study
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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Character List Quick Quiz
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Themes, Motifs & Symbols Quick Quiz
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The Handmaid’s Tale
Character List
CHARACTERS
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
Is Offred a rebel?
MAIN IDEAS
Quotes by Theme
QUOTES
Themes
MAIN IDEAS
Review Quiz
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