Chapters 4-6 Flashcards
Who does Offred see on her way to the shops & what do they do?
Nick - who winks at her (an offence against decorum {not allowed})
Why does Offred ignore Nick when he winks at her?
She fears he may be an Eye (spy), and moves to wait for Ofglen, the Handmaid she is going out with.
Why do the Handmaids travel in pairs?
So they can report the other if they do anything wrong. Teaches them to not build friendships and not trust each other.
Who are the Guardians?
They serve as routine police force, and do menial labour.
How does Offred subtly flirt with the Guardian?
Making eye contact - cherishing the small infraction against the rules.
What can the Guardians only hope to become?
Angels, they will then be allowed to take a wife and potentially get a handmaid.
!! This is the first time the word ‘Handmaid’ is mentioned (Ch. 4) !!
In Chapter 5, we learn the name of the country the Handmaids live, what is it called?
(The Republic of) Gilead.
What was pre-Gilead like for women?
Women were not protected: they had to keep their doors closed to strangers and ignore catcalls on the street.
What is Gilead like for women now?
No one whistles at women as they walk; no one touches them or talks to them.
What is ‘The Wall’ that sits across from the church?
It is where the authorities hang the bodies of executed criminals as examples to the rest of the Republic of Gilead.
The authorities cover their heads with bags.
The criminals have signs around their necks, what was on it and what did this mean?
Fetuses - signaling that they were executed for performing abortions before Gilead came into existence.
What did Aunt Lydia tell Offred about her new life? (Ch. 6)
“This may not seem ordinary to you now, but after a time it will. It will become ordinary.” - Aunt Lydia.
What is a theocracy?
There is no separation between church and state, and a single religion dominates all aspects of life.
In Gilead, state and religion are inseparable
