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Search all of SparkNotes
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A Christmas Carol
Animal Farm
King Lear
The Book Thief
The Great Gatsby
No Fear Shakespeare
Literature
Other Subjects
Teacher
Blog
Help
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood
Study Guide
Infographic
Study Guide
Infographic
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
Motifs
Symbols
Plot Analysis
Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Genre
Allusions
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Key Facts
Special Terms
Metaphors and Similes
Is Offred a rebel?
Quotes
Important Quotes 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
Quotes by Setting
Gilead (formerly Cambridge, Massachusetts)
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
Glossary of Literary Terms
How to Cite This SparkNote
Suggested Essay Topics
Teacher's Handbook
Further Study
Chapters 1-5 Quiz
Further Study
Chapters 1-5 Quiz
1
of 5
In order to monitor the women staying in the gymnasium, what did the Aunts carry?
Whips
Handcuffs
Electric cattle prods
Pepper spray
2
of 5
Which of the following best describes Offred's living quarters in the Commander's house?
Quaint and cozy
Luxurious and indulgent
Seemingly pleasant and actually prison-like
Small but cheerful
3
of 5
What color clothing do Handmaids wear?
Red
White
Blue
Green
4
of 5
What is on the coins with which Offred goes shopping?
Their monetary value
Image of intended purchase
Name of Commander's family
Seal of the Republic
5
of 5
How did Serena Joy initially receive Offred?
With kindness and poise
With overwhelming love
With polite indifference
With harshness and jealousy
Previous section
Themes, Motifs & Symbols Quick Quiz
Next section
Chapters 4-6 Quick Quiz
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The Handmaid's Tale
Character List
CHARACTERS
Offred
CHARACTERS
Themes
MAIN IDEAS
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
Is Offred a rebel?
MAIN IDEAS
Role of Women
QUOTES
Full Book Quiz
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