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Search all of SparkNotes
Search
Suggestions
Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
King Lear
The Catcher in the Rye
The Merchant of Venice
The Odyssey
The Tempest
No Fear Shakespeare
Literature
Other Subjects
Teacher
Blog
Help
The Handmaid’s Tale
Margaret Atwood
Study Guide
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 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
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
Chapters 45-46 & Historical Notes on The Handmaid's Tale Quiz
Further Study
Chapters 45-46 & Historical Notes on The Handmaid's Tale Quiz
1
of 5
How does Serena react when she learns her coat and sequined outfit have been used by Offred?
She doesn't care
She's amused
She is repulsed and angry
She's glad
2
of 5
As the Eyes van pulls into the driveway, what does Nick tell Offred?
He is really Luke
He loves her deeply
It's actually Mayday coming
He reported her
3
of 5
Who reported Offred to the Eyes (or Mayday)?
Nick
Serena
The Commander
Unknown
4
of 5
The epilogue is a transcript of what?
Old radio program
Symposium held in 2195
Brainwashing television program
Sermon conducted in 2020
5
of 5
Why does Pieixoto say we should not judge the leaders of Gilead too harshly?
They faced difficult pressures
They improved women's rights
They enacted important legislation
They created incredible technology
Previous section
Chapters 41-44 Quick Quiz
Next section
Study Questions
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The Handmaid’s Tale
Character List
CHARACTERS
Offred: Character Analysis
CHARACTERS
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS
Is Offred a rebel?
MAIN IDEAS
Quotes by Theme
QUOTES
Themes
MAIN IDEAS
Review Quiz
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