Handmaids tale - key quotes

Question 1

“a child’s idea of a smile”

Answer 1

when Offred sees people hanging on the wall, she describes the blood on the white cloth as being painted by a child
- Children symbolize innocence
- motives behind the actions of a child will not always be perceived in intended way
- smile may mark that to Gilead, the hangings are necessary and good, but to non believers like Offred these are seen as evil.
- also satirises and criticises the regime by implying its actions are not mature and self centered.