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An Inspector Calls
Fahrenheit 451
Lord of the Flies
The Kite Runner
The Merchant of Venice
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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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Setting
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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”?
Quotes
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By Theme
Complacency
Identity
Role of Women
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Chapters 1-3
Chapters 4-6
Chapters 7-9
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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
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Cambridge, Massachusetts
Harvard University
The Handmaids’ Red Habits
A Palimpsest
The Eyes
By Setting
Gilead (formerly Cambridge, Massachusetts)
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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
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Context
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Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs & Symbols
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Historical Context Essay
Literary Context Essay
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Mini Essays
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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
Quick Quizzes
Chapters 41-44 Quiz
Quick Quizzes
Chapters 41-44 Quiz
1
of 5
What happens at the women's Salvaging event?
Women can pick clothing
Women are publicly hanged
Handmaids get traded
Handmaids exchange birthing information
2
of 5
In order to show their consent, what must the women in the Salvaging crowd do?
Cheer and scream
Hold a rope
Sign a paper
Take turns being executioner
3
of 5
What happens during a Particicution?
Handmaids rip old clothing
Wives burn old prayers
Commanders publicly execute Wives
Handmaids savagely beat rapists
4
of 5
According to what she says, why was Ofglen so violent with the supposed rapist?
She was stressed
She hates rapists
He was rebellion member
She wants to fit in
5
of 5
According to the new Ofglen, what happened to the old Ofglen?
She hanged herself
She was arrested
She escaped
She joined rebel camp
Previous section
Chapters 37-40 Quick Quiz
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Chapters 45-46 & Historical Notes on The Handmaid's Tale Quick Quiz
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