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Search all of SparkNotes
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Suggestions
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A Christmas Carol
Great Expectations
Heart of Darkness
Pride and Prejudice
To Kill a Mockingbird
Shakespeare
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No Fear Shakespeare Translations
Shakespeare Study Guides
Shakespeare Life & Times
Glossary of Shakespeare Terms
Literature
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No Fear Literature Translations
Literature Study Guides
Glossary of Literary Terms
How to Write Literary Analysis
Other Subjects
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Biography
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Drama
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Physics
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US Government and Politics
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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
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Key Facts
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Character List
Offred
The Commander
Serena Joy
Moira
Luke
Aunt Lydia
Literary Devices
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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
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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 29-32 Quiz
Quick Quizzes
Chapters 29-32 Quiz
1
of 5
Why did the Commander's former handmaid hang herself?
The Commander forced her to
Serena discovered their nighttime liasons
Serena blackmailed her
She was barren
2
of 5
When the Commander asks how to make her life better, what does Offred ask for?
A supply of cosmetics
Extra portions of dessert
Knowledge about what's happening
A mirror for her room
3
of 5
What word do the subversives in Gilead use as a password?
"Geronimo"
"Command"
"Mayday"
"Blackbird"
4
of 5
What does Serena offer to give Offred if she sleeps with Nick?
A picture of her daughter
Papers granting her freedom
Lifetime supply of cigarettes
A way to escape Gilead
5
of 5
According to the Commander, where did the true problem lie in the old world?
Women's promiscuity
Government's incompetence
Religion's fall from prominence
Men's lack of stimulation
Previous section
Chapters 26-28 Quick Quiz
Next section
Chapters 33-36 Quick Quiz
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