Search all of SparkNotes
Search
Suggestions
Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
Crime and Punishment
The Book Thief
The Outsiders
To Kill a Mockingbird
Twelfth Night
Menu
Shakespeare
dark gray
No Fear Shakespeare Translations
Shakespeare Study Guides
Shakespeare Life & Times
Glossary of Shakespeare Terms
Literature
dark gray
No Fear Literature Translations
Literature Study Guides
Glossary of Literary Terms
How to Write Literary Analysis
Other Subjects
dark gray
Biography
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Drama
Economics
Film
Health
History
Math
Philosophy
Physics
Poetry
Psychology
Short Stories
Sociology
US Government and Politics
Teacher
dark gray
SparkTeach
Teacher's Handbook
Blog
Search
Help
Search all of SparkNotes
Search
Suggestions
Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
Crime and Punishment
The Book Thief
The Outsiders
To Kill a Mockingbird
Twelfth Night
Shakespeare
white
No Fear Shakespeare Translations
Shakespeare Study Guides
Shakespeare Life & Times
Glossary of Shakespeare Terms
Literature
white
No Fear Literature Translations
Literature Study Guides
Glossary of Literary Terms
How to Write Literary Analysis
Other Subjects
white
Biography
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Drama
Economics
Film
Health
History
Math
Philosophy
Physics
Poetry
Psychology
Short Stories
Sociology
US Government and Politics
Teacher
white
SparkTeach
Teacher's Handbook
Blog
Help
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood
Study Guide
Infographic
Study Guide
Infographic
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
Full Book
Full Book Summary
Full Book Analysis
Key Facts
Characters
Character List
Offred
The Commander
Serena Joy
Moira
Luke
Aunt Lydia
Literary Devices
Themes
Motifs
Symbols
Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Genre
Allusions
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Special Terms
Metaphors and Similes
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”?
Quotes
Important Quotes Explained
By Theme
Complacency
Identity
Role of Women
Imprisonment
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
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)
Quick Quizzes
Book
Full Book Quiz
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
More
Context
Plot Overview
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs & Symbols
Essays
Historical Context Essay
Literary Context Essay
Central Idea Essay
Mini Essays
Suggested Essay Topics
What Does the Ending Mean?
Further Study
Suggestions for Further Reading
Related Links
Movie Adaptations
Margaret Atwood and The Handmaid's Tale Background
Quick Quizzes
Chapters 1-5 Quiz
Quick 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
Previous section
Full Book Quiz
Next section
Chapters 4-6 Quick Quiz
Popular pages:
The Handmaid's Tale
Full Book Analysis
SUMMARY
Character List
CHARACTERS
Offred
CHARACTERS
Themes
LITERARY DEVICES
Role of Women
QUOTES
Full Book Quiz
QUICK QUIZZES
Take a Study Break
Every Shakespeare Play Summed Up in a Quote from
The Office
Every Book on Your English Syllabus, Summed Up in Marvel Quotes
A Roundup of the Funniest
Great Gatsby
Memes You'll Ever See
QUIZ: How Many of These Literary
Jeopardy!
Questions Can You Answer Correctly?
