Chapters 6-9 Quotes Flashcards
In chapter 6, how does Atwood portray Offred’s desperation to remember Luke?
“Luke wasn’t a doctor. Isn’t.”
This shows the harsh reality of Gilead, as Offred almost automatically assumes that Luke is dead without knowing this for definite. The fact that she attempts to cling on to the memory of him in hopes of him being alive shows Offred’s persistence as she refuses to give up hope.
In chapter 7, which quote demonstrates the way in which Offred uses her mind a form of escapism?
“I lie… and step sideways out of my own time… Though this is time, nor am I out of it. But the night is my time out. Where should I go?”
The abstract image of Offred stepping “sideways” out of her own time shows how she is forced to use both her imagination and memories to cope with her harsh reality. The question “where should I go” also implies that the only place where Offred has any control or agency over her own decisions is within her own mind.
Which quote in chapter 7 shows Offred’s desperation to believe in stories?
“I would like to believe this story I’m telling… Those who can believe that such stories are only stories have a much better chance.”
Offred arguably brings up a paradoxical idea: in order to survive, she must believe in stories. But those who don’t truly believe in the stories have a better chance of survival.
This emphasises the harshness of reality for women, to the point where they seem doomed no matter what they choose to do. In the end, Offred settles for the latter:
“If it’s a story I’m telling, then I have control over the ending.”
She decides that it would be better to not equate her stories to reality (unlike Blanche teehee) because this way, Offred gains full control over how the story ends. This further portrays the way in which Offred’s mind and imagination is the only way she can have any sense of control or freedom.
What does Offred see at the beginning of chapter 8 which further emphasises to cruelty of the Gilead regime?
“There are three new bodies on the wall. One is a priest, still wearing the black cassock… The two others have purple placards around their necks: Gender Treachery.”
Gender Treachery refers to “homosexual activity”, which was likely criminalised in Gilead due to the fact that gay couples can’t procreate, which is very important in Gilead society. Furthermore, the execution of the priest highlights the pickiness of Gilead’s biblical interpretations. This shows how little mercy the regime has for anyone who steps ‘out of bounds’ by their definition.
What does Offred state about Serena Joy’s past which emphasises the regime’s cruelty?
“We thought she was funny. Or Luke thought she was funny. I only pretended to think so. Really she was a little frightening… She doesn’t make speeches anymore. She is speechless.”
Serena Joy used to be a strong advocate for gender divisions and extremist Christian propaganda, so in theory, the regime should’ve been her dream come true. However, despite her unrelenting support for it, the regime has not benefitted her in anyway and has instead taken her rights away from her, as Offred highlights through the statement “she is speechless.”
This line also demonstrates the contrasting perspectives between men and women through Luke and Offred. Luke found Serena “funny,” because to him, the idea of extremist religious ideals being imposed on society was merely entertainment, it would never affect him significantly. Offred, on the other hand, felt threatened, because she knew that Serena’s ideology directly harmed women like her.
In chapter 9, how does Atwood illustrate the way in which Offred’s definition of desire has shifted?
“The knock would come at the door; I’d open, with relief, desire.”
In this line, Offred refers to the things she would do pre-Gilead, including going on dates. Her idea of desire was the idea of the perfect man, someone who she could love.
Post-Gilead, however, this has shifted as now what Offred wants more than anything is agency and freedom.
(This can be compared to Blanche’s development, as she goes from sleeping with men in Laurel to “fill the emptiness” of her heart, to fighting Stanley and using Mitch for a sense of freedom and control. You could also argue that the two protagonists differ in this way, as Blanche seems to define desire by both her want for a man and her want for control as freedom, whereas with Offred, she seems to be solely fixed on either one or the other.)
