Chapters 37-40 Flashcards
The Commander takes Offred to a hotel from pre-Gilead days. What does she see here? Why is this significant?
Women dressed in gaudy and revealing clothing from the past. The women mingle with important, powerful men.
Significant because women have almost no rights, so it is likely all of these women are purely there for the sexual pleasure of the men.
What does the Commander say about âthe clubâ?
He explains that âthe clubâ is officially forbidden, but that everyone knows that to be satisfied, men require a variety of women
Who does Offred spot in the crowd of women & what happens?
Moira - who pretends not to see her but gives her the old signal to meet her in the bathroom.
What was âJezebelâsâ and how was Moira involved with it?
The club Moira and Offred are at. Moira chose to work here rather than go to the Colonies. She now has a life expectancy of 3 to 4 years.
At the start of Ch. 40, who takes Offred to Nickâs?
Serena - in the middle of the night she comes to get her and helps her out the front door.
How many times does Offred tell the story about what happened with Nick?
Why could this be?
Twice. She says neither version is accurate, but every story is, by nature, a reconstruction, which sounds dismissive. She could be doing this because sheâs conflicted with her feelings around Nick, as readers already know she feels guilty for this because of Luke.
What is the first story Offred tells about her encounter with Nick?
Itâs filled with passion and desire, this could be how Offred wishes it wouldâve gone, as readers know just how much she misses Luke, so she could be attempting to use Nick as a replacement.
What is the second story Offred tells about her encounter with Nick?
It is awkward, uncertain, and full of sadness, which could be a link to the equal rights women used to have in the bedroom.
âNo romance . . . okay?â Nick says before they begin. Offred takes pleasure in the act this time.
How does Offred feel after the encounter with Nick?
She feels ashamed. She feels she betrayed Luke and wonders if she would feel differently if she knew Luke was dead.
Attwood suggests patriarchal society splits women into 2 groups, what are these?
The virgin & the whore.
What is the âvirginâ type of women?
In Gilead, the virginal women are the nearly sexless Wives and daughters, the invisible Marthas, and the holy Handmaidsâall of whose sexual lives are tightly restricted.
What is the âwhoreâ type of women?
The whores are the prostitutes at Jezebelâs. Jezebel, for whom the menâs club is named, was an evil Old Testament queen, guilty of every sort of depravity (corruption)
Where does Gilead draw its ideology from?
The Old Testament (although it warps the Old Testament in order to suit its ideas) and wholly rejects modern science
How does Attwood juxtapose Offredâs encounters with Nick VS the Commander?
Atwood juxtaposes Offredâs sexual encounters with the Commander and with Nick to highlight the difference between forced sex and sex by choice
