The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid’s Tale is set in the Republic of Gilead, a Theocratic and totalitarian nation that has replaced the U.S. Offred is introduced as a handmaid in Gilead. Due to extremely low reproductive rates, handmaids have children for elite couples. Offred is tasked with helping the commander and Serena Joy, his wife, a former gospel singer and advocate for Traditional Values. Offred is not the narrator’s real name; her name comes from adding Of to the handmaid’s Commander’s names: Alfred.
The Ceremony and Restrictions in Gilead
Offred must have relations with the commander during the child-bearing time of the month. The act is ritualistic, and Serena watches while holding Alfred’s hand. Offred has no choice in this or any of her other daily activities. She is bound to heavy restrictions, including not being able to leave the house on her own, keeping her room door open, and being surveilled by the Eyes, Gilead’s secret police.
Offred’s Past Life Before Gilead
Offred begins to tell the reader about her life in the old world before Gilead. Offred was raised by a single mother who was also a feminist activist. The old world was riddled with readily available pornography, prostitution, and violence against women. Offred had an affair with a married man named Luke. Luke left his wife and married Offred, and they had a daughter. Due to the hedonistic society, authoritarian theocracy gave way to Gilead.
Offred and Luke’s Escape Attempt
As Gilead was being formed, Offred and Luke tried to flee the country to Canada with their daughter, but they were caught and separated at the border. Offred was sent to Red Center re-education camp. They were taught Gilead’s beliefs that women’s sole purpose was to have and care for children and were taught to be handmaids. Aunt Lydia is in charge of the women and believes this is best for women. Mora, one of the girls at the camp, escapes, but no one knows what happens to her.
Offred’s Life After Re-education
Offred is then assigned to the commander, where she is put into her restrictive routine. She takes shopping trips with Ofglen to the Wall, where they see Rebel bodies hanging. She visits the doctor frequently to be checked for disease. At night, she must listen to the commander in ceremony, where he reads from the Bible and then must have relations with him.
Offred’s Secret Meetings with the Commander
One day, Offred visits the doctor, who asks if she wants to have relations to get pregnant because he suspects the commander to be infertile. She declines. One night, after ceremony, the commander sends for Offred, and they meet in his study privately. These meetings continue, and the two talk, play Scrabble, and he lets her read from old Vogue magazines. This is forbidden because women aren’t allowed to read. At the end of the meetings, he asks her to kiss him.
Ofglen and Mayday
During a trip, Offred reveals that she is a part of Mayday, a group leading a revolution. At night, the commander tells Offred about the New Order of Gilead. Offred admits she’s unhappy, and the commander retorts, saying, “You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs,” because Offred isn’t pregnant. Serena suggests she have relations with Nick and pass the baby off as the commander’s. Serena promises a picture of her daughter in return. Offred realizes Serena has known her daughter’s whereabouts this whole time.
Jezebel’s and Mora’s Fate
One night, the commander takes Offred out to Club Jezebel, a strip club. Offred sees Mora working there. The two meet in the bathroom, where Mora tells Offred that she was recaptured and chose to work at Jezebel’s instead of being sent to the colonies.
Offred’s Affair with Nick
When Offred returns, she secretly sleeps with Nick. The two begin sleeping together frequently in secret. Offred begins to enjoy the affair and forgets to gather information for Ofglen about the commander. Soon after, Offred is greeted by a new Ofglen. On a trip, she learns the other Ofglen hung herself when she got caught.
The Eyes and Offred’s Fate
When Offred gets home, Serena tells her that she will be punished for going to Jezebel’s. When she gets upstairs, she sees the Eyes black van pull up. Nick tells her to go and that it is Mayday disguised to take her away. Offred trusts Nick and gets in the van, not knowing if she is headed for freedom or prison.
The Aftermath of Gilead
The novel then flashes to the year 2195 after Gilead has fallen.