Chapter 16 Flashcards
Where is Chapter 16 set?
A bedroom.
Who is Offred lying on in Chapter 16?
Serena Joy
What is the ‘Ceremony’? (Ch. 16)
The Commander takes a Handmaid and attempts to impregnate her - this is NON-CONSENSUAL.
Why does Serena hold hands with Offred in Chapter 16?
To make it feel more like it’s Serena and not Offred with the Commander.
What does Serena order Offred to do after the Ceremony?
Leave without resting for the 10 minutes afterwards that they are supposed to in order to improve their chances of conceiving.
Why does Offred refer to the Ceremony as “fucking” rather than sex?
The harshness of the word implies she despised having to do so.
Contrasts with other words like ‘making love’ which would imply she enjoyed it.
Why can’t Offred refer to the Ceremony as rape?
She was given a choice, and she chose to be a Handmaid.
