Characters: Flashcards
1
Q
Offred
A
- Offred narrates the story of her life as a Handmaid and her struggle to survive and hold on to a sense of self despite her current circumstances and her tragic losses, which are revealed through a series of flashbacks and dreams.
- When the Republic of Gilead seizes control, she loses everything, her freedom. She had a family, job and a normal life before.
2
Q
The Commander
A
- A powerful, wealthy man.
- Had participated in the oppressive system by sexually slaved Offred.
- Feels a little guilty for the sufferings that Offred and the handmaids have to experience. However, he agrees with the necessity of the future. (the greater good for the greatest number)
- he admits that this future might be better for only some people.
- Has more privacy than most, so he can pursuit some affairs and employ servants who will not betray him.
3
Q
Serena Joy
A
- A former religious television personality and anti-feminist speaker.
- loses both her career and her freedom when the fundamentalist vision of society becomes a reality.
- In the Commander’s household, her freedom is severely restricted. She has access to private freedom, while the commander has a public freedom.
- The child situation makes the relationship between Serena Joy and Offred strained, as the women need each other for survival but resent this need.
4
Q
Nick
A
- As a Guard, a low-level servant, in the Commander’s household.
- Takes care of the Commander’s car, acts as the chauffeur, and conveys messages to Offred when the Commander wants to see her secretly.
- He eschews social norms by making eye contact and speaking informally with women.
- He is an enigmatic figure—willing to conspire with Serena Joy to impregnate Offred but then carrying on an illicit affair with Offred behind both Serena Joy’s and the Commander’s backs.
5
Q
Moira
A
- Is assigned to a re-education centre to become a Handmaid, like Offred.
- She escapes by threatening to kill one of the Aunts (the women in charge), but she is recaptured and tortured before she can cross the border out of Gilead.
- Now considered ill-suited to be a Handmaid.
- She is reassigned to the brothel Jezebel’s, where she provides sex for high-ranking and foreign men.
- Moira is a dominant figure in Offred’s imagination and memory, and Offred is discouraged when she learns that Moira has become a prostitute.
6
Q
Aunt Elizabeth
A
- A member of the Aunt class, Aunt Elizabeth indoctrinates the Handmaids at the re-education centre, or Red Centre.
7
Q
Aunt Lydia
A
- A member of the Aunt class, Aunt Lydia indoctrinates the Handmaids at the re-education centre, or Red Centre.
8
Q
Cora
A
- Cora is a Martha, or housemaid, at the Commander’s home who shows some sympathy toward Offred.
9
Q
Janine
A
- Is a Handmaid who does anything to make her life easier, even at the expense of other Handmaids.
- Renamed Ofwarren, she is with Offred and Moira in the Red Centre and later gives birth to a baby who dies.
- Afterward, her mental state is compromised.
10
Q
Luke
A
- Is Offred’s husband and the father of her daughter in the pre-Gilead United States.
- His fate is unknown after the family is captured while trying to escape.
11
Q
Offred’s Daughter
A
- Adopted by a wealthy couple after the family is captured.
12
Q
Offred’s Mother
A
- A feminist activist, disappears mysteriously when the new Gilead regime takes charge.
13
Q
Ofglen
A
- Ofglen is Offred’s assigned partner for daily shopping. She introduces Offred to the Mayday resistance movement.
14
Q
Professor James Darcy Pieixoto
A
- Professor Pieixoto is the keynote speaker in the “Historical Notes” section at the end of the novel. Pieixoto has apparently transcribed and sequenced The Handmaid’s Tale from audio tapes.
15
Q
Professor Maryann Crescent Moon
A
- This speaker in the final section of the novel introduces Professor James Darcy Pieixoto.
