Quotes Handmaids Tale Flashcards
‘Unwomen were always wasting time. But they were Godless and that can make all the difference’
Class hierarchy and distain
Thought by Offred
Unwomen here are similar to the proles, and we see Offred’s attitudes towards them are very similar to Winstons. In this way, Offred upholds the ideals of gilead, looking down upon those who are not religious.
‘We are containers’
Gender and Inequality
Thought by Offred, ‘we’ refering to the handmaids.
The only thing that matters about a container is that it hold what is inside, that is its only purpose.
‘Nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. “For Adam was first formed, then Eve”’
Religion and Gender
This is a teaching from the Aunts at the red centre
This quote highlights the sexist nature of christianity and reminds us that the society here is a theocracy.
This is the biblical reason they used to decide that women were “lesser” to men. In the bible Eve is created from one of Adam’s ribs to be his companion and as all women derive from Eve they are just the ”companion” to men.
This is a direct critique of christianity and the injustice of the bible.
‘The Republic of Gilead, said Aunt Lydia, knows no bounds. Gilead is inside you’
Indocrtrination and Religion
This is recalled by Offred while walking through the city.
Links to religion and the idea that, like religion the theocracy of Gilead is inside you, more like a belief than government.
‘I dress, not looking down’
Indoctrination and Gender
General quote
We see Offred indoctrinated into the idea that women should feel detached from their bodies and ashamed of their body. She is a victim of this teaching as she “doesn’t look down”
‘We prayed for emptiness, so we would be worth to be filled, with grace, with love, semen and babies’
Indoctrination and Gender
Offred remenising of her time at the red centre
We see the effects here of the red centre on its ‘patients’
She lists qualities that it is commonly looked on a woman “should have” and ends the list with “semen and babies” showing that to be fertile is also a quality required of women in this society.
The fact that they “pray” for this reminds us that this is a theocracy.
‘I want to be here with Nick’
Giving up and love
Thought by Offred towards the end of the book
She doesn’t want to fight anymore as she has been given a reason not to, realises she could try and be happy in her situation rather than escape.
This links well to Winston wanting to give up the diary after getting that love note from Julia.
‘I will go to my room, gratefully breathe in lungfuls of stale air”
Giving up and fear
Thought by Offred after she find out that Ofglen has been caught (for being part of mayday)
Here we see Offred scared for her life, vowing to give up her rebellion to live.
‘Stale air’ symbolises her situation, but she breathes it in (accepts it) just thankful to be alive. She will accept this life and give up her dreams to live. Emphasises her dire situation.
‘Flowers are still allowed’
Nature and Power
Thought by Offred towards the start.
The regime cannot control nature but this quote suggests that if they wanted to they could, they ‘permit’ flowers.
Similar to the “golden country” in 1984
‘Im a refugee from the past’
Nostalgia and Victimisation
In reference to herself (Offred)
This presents Offred as a victim of the dictatorship, similar to the refugee in 1984. She feels isolated and alone, refugee suggests she sees herself as ‘out of place’
‘I hunger to commit the act of touch’
Sexual urges and Nostalgia
Thought by Offred towards the start
‘Commit’ suggests it’s a crime, she isn’t allowed to even touch anyone else. She longs for human connection, in the physical and emotional sense.
‘Hunger’ suggests she thinks this is a primitive emotion, and also that she cannot live without it.
‘The commander, too, is doing his duty’
Sex and Control
In reference to Offreds forced sex ritual with the commander she has been assigned.
“Duty” here suggests this is emotionless. It also has military connotations, as it is not for them, but for their country.
Links to the quote “our duty to the party” said by Winstons wife in 1984
‘The wall is more foreboding when its empty’ 174
Fear and control
Offred talking about ‘the wall’ where they hang traitors.
Highlights the fear that at any time she could be prosecuted and killed.
An empty wall is scarier to her here as it makes her feel that she could be next as she recognises that someone must fill that space.
‘The small tattoo on my ankle. Four digits and an eye’
Control and Control of the body
Offred referring to herself
The regime has tattoo’d Offred, as a means of control. This way she cannot escape as she is branded like cattle.
The ‘eye’ symbolises the constant surveillance and control the regime have (as this tattoo is always there)
Similar to Winstons number in 1984 as there are ‘4 didgits’
Links to the tattoos put on Jews to stop them escaping.
‘How about a little drink?’
‘I secretly like the idea’
Alcohol and Corruption
First part is said by the commander in Jezebels (secret sex club) and the second is Offred to herself.
She refuses the drink at first but admits she likes the idea of it. This is significant as it shows that she doesn’t want to be seen as corrupted but is on the inside, wanting this corruption.
We also here that the commander is trying to corrupt Offred, potentially he is trying to get her drunk to have sex with her. Shows the flaws in Gilead and what they choose to ignore.
‘Theres still a black market’
Lack of Control and Lack of Power
Narrated by Offred towards the start
Unlike 1984, the Republic of Gilead seemingly doesn’t have full control over the masses, with things like a black market existing.
‘I think of this name as buried’
Identity and Foreshadowing
Offred refering to her old name (the one she is banned from identifying with)
A similar technique of restriction of identity is used in 1984, Winston being assigned a number “6079 Smith W”.
The inspiration for this in 1984 comes from Orwell’s time working in the propaganda section in the BBC when he was allocated a number.
The word ‘hurried’ suggests it is dead to her, in a similar way that life is dead now. May tell us she fears her own death.
‘Under his eye,’ she says, the right farewell’
Language and Control
This is from an interaction with Ofglen
The idea of a “right farewell” highlights the control of language, the word “hello” being banned. This limits the range of speech and acts as a reminder to the population that they don’t have free speech. There is also a reminder here that they are under surveillance, ‘under his eye’, ‘his’ being God.
