Search all of SparkNotes
Search
Suggestions
Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
An Inspector Calls
Pride and Prejudice
The Book Thief
The Scarlet Letter
The Tempest
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.
An Inspector Calls
Pride and Prejudice
The Book Thief
The Scarlet Letter
The Tempest
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)
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
Quizzes
Plot Overview Quiz
Quizzes
Plot Overview Quiz
1
of 5
Within the Republic of Gilead, why are Handmaids so important?
Reproduction rates are low
Sex cannot be pleasurable
Other women are sterilized
They are members of the upper class
2
of 5
What led to the lowered fertility rates in the old world, before Gilead?
Nuclear war
Scientific experimentation
Chemical spills and pollution
Systematic government sterilization
3
of 5
At the end of their secret Scrabble meetings, what does the Commander ask Offred to do?
Sleep with Nick
Sleep with the Doctor
Tuck him into bed
Kiss him
4
of 5
What is the purpose of the organization "Mayday"?
To expose false pregnancies
To overthrow Gilead
To push government programs further
To hide the identity of Commanders
5
of 5
What is Offred's ultimate fate?
She escapes to England
She escapes to Canada
She is recaptured
It is unknown
Previous section
Context Quick Quiz
Next section
Character List 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
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?
