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Animal Farm
Hamlet
Heart of Darkness
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The Merchant of Venice
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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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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
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Chapters 45–46 & Historical Notes on The Handmaid’s Tale
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Offred
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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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Complacency
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Chapters 1-3
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Chapters 29-32
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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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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Margaret Atwood and The Handmaid's Tale Background
Quizzes
Chapters 1-5 Quiz
Quizzes
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
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