Jezebel's XII Flashcards
What happens in chapter 31?
Describes 2 new bodies on the Wall, learn the rebellion is called Mayday and is warned not to use it too often. Serena suggests that the Commander may be sterile so should try another man, since Offred’s time is running out. Serena says Nick would be the safest possibility, and then offers to let Offred see a picture of her daughter if she agrees. Given a cigarette as a reward and gets a match.
What happens in chapter 32?
Considers eating the cigarette and saving the match to burn down the house. The Commander has taken to drinking during his evenings with Offred. One night, the Commander explains that in the old world, before Gilead, there was nothing for men to do with women anymore—men used to complain that they felt nothing. He asks what she thinks of Gilead. Offred tries to empty her mind; she cannot give her real opinion. She does not answer, but he can feel her unhappiness.
What happens in chapter 33?
Attend a “Prayvaganza”. The women based on role are split up. Janine walks in with a new Wife learning the baby was born with birth defect. Adds that Janine slept with a doctor to get pregnant.
What happens in chapter 34?
Remembers a conversation with the Commander, where he insisted that Gilead has taken away some freedom, but has guaranteed women’s safety and dignity. Noted that they do not allow love, but the Commander replied that arranged marriages work better than falling in love. Usually celebrate group weddings, military victories, but sometimes celebrate Catholic nuns who convert to the state religion. Remembers how Aunt Lydia always said that the real goal is to create camaraderie between women. After the services, Ofglen whispers that the subversives know she sees the Commander in private. She urges Offred to find out everything she can.
What happens in chapter 35?
Remembers the day she and Luke tried to escape. Luke saw the guard pick up the phone so sped away in the car. They got out and tried to run through the woods. Offred shakes off these memories and tries to remember love and how it felt to be in love. Thinking that Luke must be dead, she begins to cry. Later that night, Serena shows Offred a photograph of her daughter. In the photo, she wears a white dress and smiles. Offred senses that her daughter hardly remembers her. This tears at her heart.
What happens in chapter 36?
When Offred goes to the Commander he seems drunk. He speaks playfully and gives her a skimpy outfit. He wants to take her out (an expression from pre-Gilead days). She wears one of Serena’s blue winter cloaks and leaves the house. They drive through dark. Offred hides on the floor when they pass the gateway. Finds herself worrying about Nick’s opinion of her. The car stops and the Commander helps Offred out of the robe. He opens a door with a key and slips a purple tag around Offred’s wrist, instructing her to tell anyone who asks that she is an “evening rental.” As Offred enters she imagines Moira calling her an idiot for going along with this.
What happens in chapter 37?
Takes Offred to an old hotel that she remembers (often met Luke there). Sees women dressed in gaudy and revealing clothing from the past. The women mingle with important, powerful men. Realizes she should stay quiet and look dumb. Senses the Commander likes showing her off. Explains that “the club” is officially forbidden, but that everyone knows that to be satisfied, men require a variety of women. Offred spots Moira. She turns and sees Offred pretending not to recognize one another- gives the old signal to meet her in the washroom.
What happens in chapter 38?
A dressed-up Aunt standing guard with a cattle prod tells her she has 15 minutes. Explains that the Commander smuggled her into the club just for the night. Moira tells her own story. After she leaves the club, she never sees Moira again.
What happens in chapter 39?
The Commander takes Offred to a hotel room reminding her of her affair with Luke. She excuses herself to go to the bathroom hearing the toilets flushing comforts her, thinking about the universality of bodily functions. Thinks about Moira and her mother. In the washroom, Moira said that she saw Offred’s mother in one of the films about the Colonies. Offred had assumed her mother was dead. Offred remembers going to her mother’s apartment with Luke during the early days of Gilead; she found the place in disarray and her mother gone. Luke told her not to call the police, saying it wouldn’t do any good. Remembers how much spirit her mother used to have, but she realizes that the Colonies must have stripped it away. The Commander is lying on the bed waiting for her when she exits the bathroom. He seems disappointed that she is not excited about a real sexual encounter. He looks smaller and older without his clothing. Offred feels no excitement and silently orders herself to fake it.
