Handmaids Tail Characters Flashcards
Offred
The narrator and protagonist of the story. Her name means “Of Fred,” as women in Gilead are identified by their male masters. Offred represents the oppressed woman, stripped of identity, but she retains the power of memory and thought as a form of resistance.
The Commander
A high-ranking official in Gilead who forces Offred into the role of a Handmaid. Despite his power, he is shown to be somewhat dissatisfied with the regime and engages in private acts of rebellion, such as taking Offred to Jezebel’s. He represents the hypocrisy within Gilead’s elite class.
Serena Joy
The Commander’s wife, who is also trapped in the oppressive system. She has a complex relationship with Offred, ranging from jealousy and hatred to a sense of shared oppression. Serena’s character represents the women who enforce and internalize patriarchal norms, even when they also suffer under them
Nick
The household servant who becomes romantically involved with Offred. He represents a form of subversion within Gilead’s rigid structure and becomes a symbol of resistance. His role is ambiguous, and he is both a symbol of solidarity and complicity within Gilead’s system
Moira
Offred’s best friend from before Gilead’s rise to power. Moira represents the active, rebellious force against oppression. She attempts to escape and later ends up working at Jezebel’s, which complicates her image as a pure figure of rebellion.