Chapters 29-32

Question 1

In Chapter 29, Offred and the Commander become more informal with each other. What does Offred ask and what was the answer?

Answer 1

She asks him what the Latin phrase in her room means. The Commander translates it as “don’t let the bastards grind you down.”

Question 2

What does Offred think happened for the phrase to end up in her closet?

Answer 2

She thinks the Handmaid before her learned it from the Commander and scratched it into the floor.

Question 3

When Offred asks what happened to the Handmaid before her, what is the answer?

Answer 3

The Commander replies that Serena discovered their nighttime liaisons, and the Handmaid hanged herself.

Question 4

What does Offred realise after learning about what happened to the Handmaid before her?

Answer 4

That the Commander summons her to his office because he wants her life to be bearable: he feels guilty.

Question 5

Offred now knows the Commander’s guilt is a weapon she can use - how does she do this?

Answer 5

The Commander asks her what would make her life better. Offred asks for knowledge about “what’s going on.”

(Link this to the phrase ‘Knowledge is power’)

Question 6

In Ch. 30, Offred remembers the time herself and Nick tried to escape from Gilead. How did they do this?

Answer 6

• They got a man to forge their passports
• Luke killed their pet cat so it wasn’t suspicious
• They didn’t pack anything in order to avoid suspicion.

Question 7

Why did their escape attempt fail?

Answer 7

Someone reported their plans, whether it was a neighbour or the man who forged their passports, Offred didn’t know.
She wonders is the man who forged their passports was an Eye.

Question 8

What is significant about the end of Chapter 30?

Answer 8

Offred prays in a rather confused manner, and thinks about suicide.

Question 9

What does Ofglen tell Offred about subservies in Gilead?

Answer 9

They use ‘mayday’ as a password. She tells Offred not to use it often. If she is caught and tortured, she should not know the names of other subservies.

Question 10

Talking to Serena, what is said about Offred and the Commander?

Answer 10

Serena asks Offred if there are any signs of pregnancy. Offred says no.

Serena then suggests the Commander might be sterile. After a moment of hesitation, Offred agrees.

Question 11

After agreeing the Commander may be sterile, what does Serena say?

Answer 11

Nick may be the safest option for Offred as her time is running out, and says she will let Offred see a picture of her daughter if she agrees.

Offred agrees.

Question 12

What does Offred consider when she’s given the match and the cigarette?

Answer 12

She considers eating the cigarette for a nicotine rush and then using the match to burn down the house.