makeup symbol

Question 1

makeup

Answer 1

signifies femininity, the past and Offred’s lost freedom to control her appearance

others like the commander think that the lack of makeup is a source of freedom, as they don’t have to use their appearances to compete for mates

Question 2

Jezebel’s

Answer 2

the commander enjoys Jezebel’s, where every woman wears makeup in the hopes of attracting business

Question 3

beauty

Answer 3

the handmaid’s shouldn’t attempt to look good, as it would add another layer of difficulty for the Wives

Question 4

Offred’s appearance

Answer 4

she does her best to maintain her appearance, carefully, saving butter as moisturising lotion

Question 5

strong memory of makeup

Answer 5

suggests the importance she attaches to self-preservation and putting on a good appearance

Question 6

vogue

Answer 6

Offred notes the almost masculine confidence of the models and finds it “naughty”

“naughty” connotes something playful, flirty and childlike

this perhaps shows that Offred takes Gilead’s rules lightly