Chapters 1-5 Quotes Flashcards
What does Offred say in Chapter 2 which illustrates her sexual desires?
“I have a hunger to touch something, other than cloth or wood. I have a hunger to commit the act of touch.”
Shows how deprived the women of Gilead are of sexual or emotional encounters. Gilead paints these as crimes.
In Chapter 3, how does Serena Joy attempt to assert control over Offred?
“She wanted me to feel that I could not come into the house unless she said so.”
This shows that, despite Serena’s lack of control as a woman in Gilead, she still clings onto any sense of power or control she may have by acting hostile towards Offred. Offred sees rights through this however, as the phrase “she wanted me to feel” implies that Serena Joy has no real power over Offred.
In chapter 4, which quote demonstrates the huge amount of control that Gilead has over the communication and language used between the Handmaids?
(Offred talking about Ofglen)
“…She never said anything that was not strictly orthodox, but then, neither have I.”
What does Offred state about Nick which shows the inferiority of women in Gilead?
“He (Nick) hasn’t been issued a woman, not even one.”
This portrays the class divide in Gilead, as Nick is of a lower class and doesn’t receive the same treatment as someone in the higher classes, such as the commander. The fact that men are commonly “issued a woman” highlights how Gilead treats women like property.
What does Offred state in chapter 5 which illustrates just how much the women of Gilead have been stripped of their freedom?
“I think of laundromats. What I wore to them: my own clothes, my own soap, my own money, money I had earned myself. I think about having so much control.”
The fact that Offred romanticises the idea of choosing her own clothes emphasises how much the freedom of choice has been robbed from her, as getting to choose clothes is viewed as much more of a mundane task rather than a luxury to most readers. The anaphora of ‘my own’ also highlights Offred’s lack of agency, as she wishes desperately to have control over something, even if they’re just inanimate objects.
What does Offred say about the tourists near the end of chapter 5 which shows the influence Gilead has had on her mentality?
“They seem underdressed. It has taken so little time to change our minds, about things like this.”
At the end of chapter 5, how does Offred further illustrate her lack of control and agency in Gilead?
“”Yes we are very happy,” I murmur. I have to say something. What else can I say?”
How does Offred illustrate the control Gilead has over her clothing?
“Everything except the wings around my face is red: the color of blood, which defines us.”
(Can be compared to Blanche always wearing white, which also defines her to an extent.)
In chapter 3, how does Atwood use colour to illustrate the power difference between the Handmaids and the wives?
“I was expecting a Martha, but it was her instead, in her long power-blue robe, unmistakable.”
This draws comparisons between the wives and the Virgin Mary, demonstrating the type of values which are views at significant in Gilead (purity, serenity, motherhood). The wives are meant to be subservient and pure.
(Can be compared and contrasted with Williams’ use of the blue piano in Streetcar. Like Offred, the colour blue is used to oppose Blanche and demonstrate the way she is ostracised in this society for being different. However, contrasting Offred, Blanche’s opposition to the colour blue is an indication of her higher class background rather than a lower class one.)
