Gender

Question 1

‘I had only their words for it’ (pg.37)

Question 2

‘His hand is moving on me, nervously and with impatience’

Answer 2

Although the doctor is offering to help Offred the adverbs suggest that it is more perhaps for his own person benefit like satisfying his desires which is restricted by the regime

Question 3

‘The knowledge of his power hangs nevertheless in the air’

Answer 3

The doctor as a male with a status can use their encounter against Offred - there is constant paranoia that Offred may be turned in even though she hasn’t done anything wrong

Question 4

‘To be a man watched by women. It must be entirely strange’

Answer 4

Men are always seen as the having the most power

Question 5

‘To have them flinch when he moves, even if it’s harmless’

Question 6

‘You wanted a women’s culture. Well now there is one’

Answer 6

This is ironic as even though women are valued more in Gileadean society it is limited to being seen solely as functions

Question 7

‘Women united for a common end!’

Answer 7

This is ironic as the women in Gilead are far from united

Question 8

‘I’m his mistress’

Answer 8

This is objectification as Offred seemingly belongs to the Commander

Question 9

‘Women can’t add, he said jokingly’

Answer 9

This sexism shows the Commander as out of touch and ignorant to the oppression of women in Gileadean society

Question 10

‘Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection’/ ‘For Adam was first formed then Eve’ (p.223)

Answer 10

Both quotes show that society oppressed women into becoming voiceless vessels, especially when compared to men who are deemed to be higher than them - they justify this with a bible quote

Question 11

‘Spirit of camaraderie among women’ (p.224)

Answer 11

This is deeply ironic considering how Offred regards other women like Janine and also due to how the Red Centre promotes Testifying which encourages ganging up on a Handmaid

Question 12

‘I am a blank here,between parenthese’ (p.230)

Answer 12

Atwood uses this metaphor in a lot of her literature to show the marginalisation of women in a patriarchal society

Question 13

‘He wishes to diminish things, myself included’ (p.231)

Answer 13

This shows how powerful men in society can easily control everything around them so it benefits them

Question 14

‘Feathers, mauve and pink’ (p.232)

Answer 14

These are all very provocative things to be wearing which plays into the sexual objectification of women

Question 15

‘He is demonstrating me his mastery of the world’

Answer 15

The Commander as a man constantly feels as though her needs to assert his dominance over Offred showing he is superior

Question 16

‘What do you think about our little club?’ (p.238)

Answer 16

This is almost euphemistic showing the pure ignorance the Commander has for breaking the rules as he is already in power

Question 17

‘It’s only for officers’ (p.239)

Answer 17

The Commander only mentions the men first suggesting these are the only ‘people’ he sees here

Question 18

‘Move your flesh around, breathe audibly. It’s the least you can do’ (p.257)

Answer 18

This links to the idea of women feeling as though they have to please men, especially those with more power than themselves. ‘Move your flesh around’ gives the sense the Offred feels detached from her body

Question 19

Contexts for Gender

Answer 19

Feminism - second wave feminism focused on legal rights for women
Feminine Mystique
Uprising of division between liberal feminist and radical feminist
Novel published in response to Reagan

Question 20

Masculinity

Answer 20

Commander - symbolises American ideals of masculinity, directly responsible for the oppression and has the power to end it but doesn’t, gender hypocrisy through his sexist comments
Luke - his comments gs feel rather sexist, provided Offeed with a sense of being valued, meant to contrast Commander but instead shows even modern men can be oppressive to women
Nick - symbolises an equal, he empower Offeed and gives her a sense of identity

Question 21

Feminity

Answer 21

roles of women are divided into different egg identities each to represent a female ideal
segments g identities poses women against each other
Handmaids - reproduction
- dehumanised on their sole function
Wives - domesticity
- they are government regulated matriarchs
Martha’s - symbolise housekeeping
- green clothing associates them with cleanliness and health

Question 22

How are the Aunts an anomaly to gender roles?

Answer 22

allowed to have more power as can read and write
their violence allows them to break traditional gender norms
ultimately though are loyal and serve the patriarhcy

Question 23

Unwen

Answer 23

shows reproduction is the central definition of womanhood in Gilead
ostracised from society by being shipped of to the colonies - fear tactic