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Literature
The Handmaid’s Tale
Plot Overview Quick Quiz
The Handmaid’s Tale
by:
Margaret Atwood
Summary
Plot Overview
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
Main Ideas
Themes
Motifs
Symbols
Key Facts
Quotes
Important Quotations Explained
Further Study
Context
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
Writing Help
How to Write Literary Analysis
Suggested Essay Topics
How to Cite This SparkNote
Table of Contents
Plot Overview Quick 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
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Character List Quick Quiz
More Help
Character List
CHARACTERS
Offred: Character Analysis
CHARACTERS
Important Quotations Explained
MAIN IDEAS
Themes
MAIN IDEAS
Review Quiz
FURTHER STUDY
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